Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine
-
Between 25% and 60% of older patients in the hospital undergoing care for an acute illness risk some loss of independent physical function. This loss may lead to prolonged hospital stay, nursing-home placement, or death. ⋯ An interdisciplinary approach may prevent functional decline. The aim is to modify the physical environment, prevent iatrogenic illness, detect and treat functional impairments, promote mobility, assess and treat nutritional problems, and address the patient's personal needs and values.
-
Raynaud's phenomenon, an episodic vascular disorder induced by cold temperatures or stress and characterized by white, blue, and red discoloration of the fingers and toes, may affect up to 20% of the general population. ⋯ For prognostic and therapeutic reasons, it is important to determine if Raynaud's phenomenon is associated with an underlying condition and if the patient may develop a connective tissue disease.
-
Biography Historical Article
Wegener's granulomatosis: the man behind the eponym.
-
As many as one third of elderly hospitalized patients become delirious, and most do not fully recover. Delirium may impart a higher mortality rate and may be a marker for future cognitive decline. ⋯ An organized, systematic approach with early diagnosis and treatment may prove to be life-saving in many patients.