Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine
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Public interest in autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is growing on digital media platforms. Some people can elicit the response by watching videos containing triggering sounds and images. ⋯ Underlying mechanisms of the phenomenon are not well understood, but physiologic evidence corroborates some of the self-reported positive effects. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this emerging topic, and the potential for therapeutic applications should be investigated.
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Due to a shortened period of in utero organ development, premature infants are at higher risk of chronic respiratory, cardiac, renal, and endocrine system disorders later in life. With more premature babies being born and more of them surviving, internists and primary care practitioners should be aware of their patient's birth history and of the potential long-term effects of prematurity. Such understanding can lead to early detection of disease and targeted lifestyle modifications.
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Patients with COVID-19 have a fairly high risk of neurologic complications, including encephalopathy, stroke, central nervous system infection, seizures, and neuromuscular diseases. Many report losing their senses of smell and taste, and many survivors report lingering neurocognitive impairment. The diagnosis and treatment of these complications does not differ from that in other patients, although sophisticated testing may not be readily available for a patient in intensive care and respiratory isolation. Clinicians should therefore be alert to these complications.
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Aneurysms of the renal artery and splenic artery are uncommon but clinically important, as they pose a risk of rupture with a high fatality rate. Indications for surgical or endovascular repair are based on aneurysm location and risk factors for rupture, such as aneurysm size, growth, and associated conditions, while medical management is also important. Regular surveillance with imaging is critical before and after intervention to guide treatment.