Family Medicine

The field of research for alzheimer's disease has changed drastically in just over a year as more is learned about amyloids and their role in patients developing the condition.

Diabetic kidney disease does not have the telltale signs of other conditions which can make it difficult to spot. However, with the right tests patients can get the treatments they need.

One of the newest developments in the treatment of diabetes is the GLP-1 receptor agonist. With different forms intended for different populations it continues a longstanding pattern of bringing new medications into the pool of options for doctors to choose from.

A 15-year analysis of ticks has shown a change in their migration patterns, which was linked to fluctuating disease risks.

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the accuracy of rapid antigen diagnostic tests (RADTs) for group A strep (GAS) pharyngitis in children and adults as well as differences between studies already performed.

A 25-year-old man with no prior cardiac history presents for evaluation of presyncope. He reports he was shaving when he felt chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations. He felt dizzy and diaphoretic. Symptoms resolved after 15 minutes.

Obesity contributes to significant morbidity and mortality among primary care patients. This paper summarizes options for pharmacological management of obesity. Medications approved for obesity are Phenteremine/Topiramate, Orlistat, Lorcaserin, Naltrexone/Bupropion, Liraglutide.

The IBIS-I randomized control trial included women of ages 35-70 from 37 health centers in eight countries from April, 1992, until March, 2001 that were deemed to be at increased risk of developing breast cancer (by virtue of family history of breast cancer or abnormal benign breast disease), and randomized to treatment with oral tamoxifen or placebo for 5 years.

This 25-year-old African-American man has had this papular rash for the last 2 years following a short haircut. Initially he had pustules, itching and inflammation but currently only has itching papules that are slowly enlarging. Triamcinolone 0.1% ointment has helped the itching. Past history and remainder of physical examination is noncontributory.

As the diabetes epidemic continues to grow doctors are being faced with the task of stopping or reversing the trend.

Study results show that the combination of metformin and glibenclamide is as effective as insulin in achieving glycemic control in women with gestational diabetes and may be a more acceptable and cost effective therapy.

Patients' choices for end of life care can be measured and observed, according to a pneumonia study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Hepatitis C virus screening is a challenge, and strategies must be implemented to make diagnoses and treatment therapies easier, according to a JAMA study.

Overt hyperthyroidism is a known risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures. More subtle alterations in thyroid function, such as those that occur in subclinical thyroid dysfunction, may also be associated with increased fracture risk and bone loss, but until recently no clinical trials have adequately explored that issue.

A growing trend in the medical community is the use of a technique known as mindfulness based stress reduction. While the results have shown to be inconclusive in the treatment of multiple sclerosis there is work being done to show its efficacy in helping patients.

Non evidence-based proton pump inhibitor use should be discontinued in the case of Clostridium difficile infection, according to findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

With certain strains already proving to be resistant to treatment with antibiotics, Staphylococcus aureus is posing another major health threat.

Treating multiple sclerosis requires the work of a number of people. One of the key members of that team is the nurse. Specially trained nurses can help ease the burden of doctors while also providing needed help to patients.

When many people think of ballroom dancing they likely think of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The same steps that made them famous on the big screen could help people stay on their feet despite the challenges of multiple sclerosis.

One of the biggest concerns about patients with multiple sclerosis is their potential to have movement limited by the condition. Researchers are looking for ways to stop that from happening.

The symptoms of neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis may appear similar at first glance but an improper diagnosis can create more issues for patients than they originally experienced.

The issue of marijuana use is complicated for many reasons. One of the biggest, according to a recent survey is the willingness of patients and healthcare providers alike to even discuss the topic.

In March, the television news show 60 Minutes devoted a segment to a clinical trial using polio virus to treat glioblastoma multiforme. The segment called "Killing Cancer" did a good job of illustrating the potential power of this new treatment as well as the problems associated with glioblastoma multiforme which typically kills patients in a matter of months.

The US Food and Drug Association (FDA) granted approval for eluxadoline (Viberzi) and rifaximin (Xifaxan), to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adult men and women.

In addition to causing pain and discomfort and requiring antibiotics, a Danish study revealed that infections can negatively affect cognitive ability.