New Data Provides Physicians with Confident Weight Loss Recommendations
September 30th 2014There is a wide variety of evidence to support benefits of low-fat diets versus low carbohydrate diets and vice versa. As of today, no one can tell us with certainty whether the well-worn dictum "calories in calories out" is really true. The National Weight Control Registry data give us some confidence in recommending that to lose weight most people need to alter their diet to reduce calories, and need to exercise on a near-daily basis.
Low Dose Computed Tomography Scanning for Patients at risk for Lung Cancer
September 2nd 2014The leading cause of cancer related deaths in both men and women is lung cancer. The 5-year survival rate of lung cancer is only 16%, as 75% of patients with lung cancer are presented with symptoms of advanced disease.
Probiotics Ineffective in Preventing Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea in Elderly
September 1st 2014Although previous research has found probiotics can prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile diarrhea, a study from researchers in the United Kingdom and Germany reported contradicting results.
Swelling and Pain After a K-9 Encounter
August 30th 2014When a patient gets bitten by a dog, there can be many issues doctors need to confront as treatment begins. Two doctors shared their experiences of a patient who was bitten by a dog and still had symptoms including swelling and pain 2 weeks after his K-9 encounter.
Prioritization of Patient-centered Comparative Effectiveness Research for Osteoarthritis
August 29th 2014As the life expectancy of patients continues to grow, healthcare professionals are seeing a rise in cases of osteoarthritis in their case files and are charged with discovering the best treatment possible for them.
Recommendations to Screen for Hepatitis B
August 29th 2014While the US Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend screening for hepatitis B virus infection in asymptomatic persons in the general population, a recent update focuses on identifying those who are high risk and should be screened.
The Value of Imaging Studies for Acute, Nonspecific Low Back Pain
August 28th 2014When a patient arrives at a hospital or other urgent care center, there are seemingly endless tests that can be undertaken to appropriately diagnose the patient. A recent study reviewed the necessity of some tests, particularly in regard to acute, nonspecific lower back pain.
Antiretroviral Therapy Effective at Preventing Transmission in HIV Divergent Couples
August 28th 2014Among couples with an HIV-positive member, a study in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews deemed antiretroviral therapy effective at preventing HIV transmission to the HIV-negative partner.