Geriatrics
- Optimizing calcium and vitamin D intake through diet and supplements
Set modest calcium targets, maximize dietary intake, and make up the defi cit with calcium citrate.
- Cardiac rehabilitation: A class 1 recommendation
Despite proven benefi ts, referral and participation rates remain low. Efforts to boost usage are underway.
- Reverse T3 or perverse T3? Still puzzling after 40 years
Few situations require measuring reverse T3; diagnosis of euthyroid sick syndrome may be one of them.
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: What primary care physicians need to know
This devastating and fatal lung disease generally affects older adults, especially men, and can be mistaken for COPD.
- It takes a village to care for the patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
The primary care physician can play key roles in diagnosis, referral, and long-term management.
- Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: Common problem, effective treatments
Half of all postmenopausal women experience these symptoms. Most do not seek relief.
- Deprescribing: When trying for less is more
We should periodically revisit the goals and rationale for all prescribed medications.
- Hypertension in older adults: What is the target blood pressure?
Goal: systolic pressure below 130 mm Hg if the patient can take multiple medications and be followed closely.
- Alzheimer dementia: Starting, stopping drug therapy
It is reasonable to consider discontinuing therapy when a patient has progressed to advanced dementia.
- Medication management in older adults
Some drugs may become unnecessary or even dangerous as the patient ages. Periodic medication review is needed.