Latest Articles
- The herbal medicine boom: Understanding what patients are taking
One in three people take herbal medicines. A guide to common herbal preparations, their effects, side effects, and interactions.
- The diagnostic utility of c-ANCA in Wegener’s granulomatosis
A positive c-ANCA may suggest Wegener’s granulomatosis, but in most cases it should not be used instead of biopsy to make the diagnosis.
- A 29-year-old man with abnormal thyroid function tests
The patient has elevated serum T4 and T3, but no symptoms of hyperthyroidism. What is the diagnosis?
- What internists should know about amiodarone
Despite side effects involving the lungs, heart, thyroid, and other organs, amiodarone is effective in the treatment of refractory atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and it has unique safety in coronary disease and left ventricular dysfunction.
- Evaluating asymptomatic patients with mildly elevated liver enzymes
Extensive evaluation of all abnormal tests would expose many patients to undue risks and medical costs. But not evaluating minor elevations of liver enzymes could result in missing the early diagnosis of potentially treatable disorders.
- An overview of immune hemolytic anemias
Often patients with these anemias present with symptoms that are common in anemia of any cause. A full-color illustration shows the different processes of red blood cell destruction.
- Detecting and managing subclinical hyperthyroidism
With physicians using TSH assays more often, they are encountering subclinical thyroid disease more frequently.
- Cancer and the mind: Separating fact from fiction
It is quite appropriate for physicians to encourage cancer patients to join support groups. However, these patients should not blame themselves or their emotions for causing the cancer.
- Understanding culture clashes in the clinical setting
Although conflict between people is common, some conflicts are the result of different cultural assumptions. These disagreements can complicate good communication between physician and patient.
- Health care reform in 1998: A resurging debate
This is an election year, so 1998 will be filled with intense debates about expanding Medicare eligibility, regulating managed care, and eliminating health care fraud.