Pulmonology

Eating a low carbohydrate diet compared to a low fat diet leads to greater loss of weight as well as a significant reduction in Framingham Risk Score.

This limited systematic review found some evidence of benefit of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation and little evidence of significant adverse outcomes.

The health care policy, written by Gary Rivard, DO, and Anthony Viera, MD, was published in The Journal of Family Practice. The authors noted that while more people are receiving vaccinations for pertussis, the US Centers for Disease Control reported 48,277 confirmed cases – the highest number since 1955, including 20 deaths related to the disease.

Prenatal and early infant exposure to air pollutants may be linked to developing autism, according to research presented at the American Association for Aerosol Research.

Lung infection bacteria levels will be tested via blood samples in emergency department patients in a new study being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Many people could be more active in their daily lives. The question for physicians is: How do you make that happen, especially for children and adolescents? A recent study provides clues about how to help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle.

For patients suffering a first-time cardiac event there could be warning signs in the form of a condition called vital exhaustion. A recent study looked at the causes and signs of vital exhaustion and potential preventive measures and treatments for these patients.

This is a 23-year-old female admitted for the first time who provides the history of congenital right chest wall deformity, right hypoplastic breast and absent right pectoralis muscles (1). Preliminary upright PA, lateral and right posterior oblique radiographs were obtained to evaluate the osseous and soft tissues of the thorax prior to cosmetic surgery and repair. No past history was made available.

With the approval of two new drugs for the treatment of IPF, patients who otherwise would have only had lung transplantation as a treatment option now have a new way to improve their quality of life.

The fact that cigarette smoking is dangerous to a person's health is not a new concept, but a recent study took a more direct view of just how much damage smokers in the United States do to themselves through what was described as "major medical conditions."

Calculation and interpretation of the anion gap is extremely useful in the evaluation and treatment of the patient with metabolic acidosis. In this installment, we look at case examples involving patients with multiple sclerosis and urosepsis; COPD, diabetes, and renal failure; and type 1 diabetes.

Researchers report finding a correlation between adverse childhood experiences and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development, with a more pronounced association in women.

In this installment, we look at underlying causes of metabolic acidosis, approaches for evaluating patients with suspected metabolic acidosis, and why measurement of the anion gap is of great usefulness in these cases.

Efficacy of anti-inflammatory or antibiotic treatment in patients with non-complicated acute bronchitis and discoloured sputum: randomised placebo controlled trial

Agent Orange exposure several decades earlier may increase morbidity from various diseases, some of which have rarely been explored in previous epidemiologic studies.

Out of all possible factors, trauma is the single largest cause of death among Americans aged 46 years or younger.

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have released a study showing the potential of a dangerous interaction between a common supplement and prescription medication.

Among patients aged 65 years or older who are hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia, azithromycin lowers the risk of 90-day mortality in exchange for slightly increased odds of myocardial infarction compared to other antibiotic regimens.

Contrary to popular belief, patients who are prescribed antidepressants experience only minimal weight gain within 12 months of treatment.

Results from two studies show that treatment with the novel kinase inhibitor nintedanib significantly slowed disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, only one study showed nintedanib had any effect on slowing deterioration in quality of life or reducing the risk of a first acute exacerbation compared with placebo.

Since surgical patients who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) face a 40% risk of death, a tool that can accurately predict who will develop ARDS is greatly needed.

A study published in BMJ explains the long-term risks of opioid treatment in the postoperative setting.

New research suggests elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who participate in pulmonary rehabilitation programs have improved 10-year survival.

When encouraging and supporting patients to quit smoking, varenicline is unlikely to increase the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events such as suicide, depression, and aggression, even in patients with pre-existing psychiatric illness.

A 2,000 mg dose of high-quality American ginseng is effective as a treatment for cancer-related fatigue, though it may be better at preventing the condition.