Postgraduate medicine
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Heparin sodium is an extremely useful medication with demonstrated benefit in a number of clinical settings. Physicians need to be aware of the potential complication of hyperkalemia, especially in patients with renal insufficiency or diabetes mellitus. Discontinuation of heparin therapy is necessary to reverse the suppression of aldosterone. If heparin is the cause, the hyperkalemia will resolve within 5 days.
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All patients who present with severe headaches merit careful medical and neurologic evaluation, and many require neuroimaging studies or lumbar puncture. To avoid missing the occasional seriously ill patient among the large number of patients with relatively benign headaches, physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion and a familiarity with the differential diagnosis. Patients with severe acute headaches must be evaluated for subarachnoid hemorrhage and bacterial meningitis. ⋯ Migraines are extremely common and often mislabeled as tension or sinus headaches. All primary care physicians should be able to recognize the many faces of migraine and be familiar with symptomatic and prophylactic therapy. Difficult cases should be referred to a neurologist for ongoing care.
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Acute mediastinitis is a serious disease that requires prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment. In each case, treatment should be individualized to the clinical presentation and suspected cause. The authors presented a general therapeutic scheme that may be used in the initial management of patients with acute mediastinitis from nonsurgical sources.
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Short-term management of the agitated patient involves the use of psychological, behavioral, diagnostic, and pharmacologic options. Knowledge of verbal interventions may help physicians prevent personal injury and destruction of property. Accurate diagnosis allows safe and effective pharmacologic intervention. Involuntary treatment in emergency situations is legal; however, clearly documenting all clinical events is essential.