Editorial Board About Us Contact Us Newsletters FAQ Issue Archive

RSS | Login | Register

Internal Medicine

Invest in companies with advantages that competitors cannot duplicate

March 10, 2010

Warren Buffett has often talked about investing in companies that are protected by "wide moats." Such businesses dominate their markets for years because...

Daytime sleepiness may point to Alzheimer's risk

March 10, 2010

A new study suggests that cognitive fluctuations could pose a greater risk for Alzheimer's in older individuals.

What to look for with drug-induced urticaria

Natasha Casie Chetty, MD, and Clive E.H. Grattan, MD March 10, 2010

The specific mechanism causing the allergic reaction may be difficult to pinpoint. But our experts tell you which drugs are the primary culprits and they provide alternative drug recommendations as well.

ACS updates prostate screening recommendations

March 09, 2010

In its first update since 2001, the American Cancer Society reaffirms the importance of shared decision making. And although the American Urological Association applauds the new guidance statement on prostate-cancer detection issued by the ACS, the two organizations have divergent opinions regarding when baseline screening should begin.

What lies behind the vitamin D revolution?

Ronald L. Hoffman, MD March 08, 2010

Once known primarily for maintaining bone strength, vitamin D is now thought to contribute to the prevention of colon, prostate, and breast cancers.

Pressure-induced bumps and erythema

Craig G. Burkhart, MD, MPH March 03, 2010

A patient presents with complaints of itchy and uncomfortable red bumps on his skin at sites of pressure, but the lesions typically dissipate after an hour.

C. difficile on the rise in outpatient settings

March 03, 2010

A patient's diarrhea or abdominal cramps could be the result of infection with Clostridium difficile. Researchers report that infection with this bacterium is increasing in incidence and severity, particularly in...

Herpes zoster risk in an infant

Question asked by Daren Rauch, MD, Clinton, Ill., and answered by Jeffrey M. Weinberg, MD March 02, 2010

The 35-year-old father of a 5-month-old baby presented with a five-day history of painful herpes zoster and a number of questions: Is his child at risk...

Erythematous truncal plaques

Sean D. Doherty, MD March 02, 2010

Can you distinguish between similar plaques? Our dermatologic look-alike may stump you.

Cutaneous symptoms reveal an unintentionally obscured disease

Matthew S. Rice, LTC, MC, USA March 01, 2010

As a health-care professional, this patient sought informal options that led to a delay in...

A venous stasis ulcer is aggravated in the course of treatment

Rajani Katta, MD, and Vijayalaxmi Anusuri, MBBS February 23, 2010

A commonly-used topical antibiotic is applied to...

Oral drug is an appropriate option for resistant UTIs

February 17, 2010

In a study, only 3% of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to fosfomycin.

Bacterial interference may prevent urinary tract infections

February 17, 2010

A non-pathogenic strain of E. coli lowered the UTI rate in catheterized men with neurogenic bladder.

Antibiotic UTI prophylaxis slightly better

February 17, 2010

Growing antibiotic resistance has investigators testing novel non-antibiotic prophylaxis approaches for recurrent UTIs. One promising approach involves the use of....

Managing UTIs in debilitated patients

Anthony J. Schaeffer, MD February 17, 2010

Among this patient population, urinary tract infections are a serious complication--causing significant morbidity and mortality.

Vitamin D prophylaxis for osteoporosis?

Question asked by Luan Q. Pho, MD, Allen, Tex., and answered by Jack Waxman, MD February 12, 2010

Why is vitamin D deficiency not considered the leading risk factor for osteoporosis and....

Adult depression: Treating by subtype for success

Jennifer L. Berns, MPAS, PA-C February 12, 2010

Instead of attempting to treat the broad categories, primary-care clinicians should focus on symptoms or features that identify a specific subtype.

An infrequent cause of chronic cough

Guada Respicio, MD February 10, 2010

A number of diagnostic possibilities are raised, including allergy, asthma, postnasal drip, and reflux.

Complications of intralesional corticosteroids

February 08, 2010

What potential complications are associated with cortisone shots to the scalp? Is there is any link to glaucoma?

Treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus

February 05, 2010

My patient was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus on vulvar biopsy. What is the recommended treatment, and how long should it be used?

Severe pruritic rash, fever, and malaise

Amy McClung, MD February 03, 2010

A young girl presents with a rash accompanied by itching, fatigue, and malaise. Her past medical history included....

Nonhealing painless ulcer on the sole

Michael L. Sonabend, MD, Nicholas R. Snavely, MD, and Sylvia Hsu, MD February 03, 2010

For three years, the patient lived with an enlarging painless ulcer on the sole of his foot. The lesion....

Similar scalp nodules in two female patients

Deborah J. Yang, MD February 02, 2010

Two women present with growing scalp nodules. One patient had a nodule that was increasing in size, though not pruritic or painful. The other patient reported unintentional weight loss....

Hyperkeratotic plaques that run in the family

Craig G. Burkhart, MD, MPH February 02, 2010

The mother of an 8-year-old boy came seeking treatment for "a family ailment." Both mother and child had bilateral, symmetric, confluent hyperkeratotic plaques with a smooth, waxy surface on the....

Early-onset prostate cancer linked to fat intake

February 02, 2010

Men with a high dietary fat intake are at increased risk of prostate cancer at a relatively young age, a British study shows. Among men aged...

Increase skin cancer screening in primary care

February 01, 2010

Primary-care clinicians are ideally suited to screen and triage people who are at high risk for skin cancer and those with suspicious lesions, but a survey of medical residents revealed....

Quick test can indicate possible stroke

January 29, 2010

A one-minute eye movement exam involving three simple maneuvers may provide the key to initial diagnosis.

ED, rheumatoid arthritis could be linked

January 28, 2010

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is more common in patients with rheumatic disease—especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—than in the general population, according to new findings...

Caring for the geriatric patient: The initial visit

Kanwal Awan, MD January 21, 2010

Use the first visit to get as much information as possible about the patient's condition, functional status, and social situation. Older people often present with complex medical problems that...