Missouri medicine
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Empirical and clinical studies clearly demonstrate significant adverse effects of cannabis smoking on physical and mental health as well as its interference with social and occupational functioning. These negative data far outweigh a few documented benefits for a limited set of medical indications, for which safe and effective alternative treatments are readily available. If there is any medical role for cannabinoid drugs, it lies with chemically defined compounds, not with unprocessed cannabis plant. Legalization or medical use of smoked cannabis is likely to impose significant public health risks, including an increased risk of schizophrenia, psychosis, and other forms of substance use disorders.
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The evaluation of the jugular venous pulse (JVP) remains one of the most important elements of the physical examination. Unfortunately, the examination remains difficult for most clinicians since traditional methodology is not commonly used or understood. Echocardiography has shown that the right atrial pressure can accurately be predicted as normal by observing a 50% inspiratory collapse of the inferior vena cava. ⋯ We propose that this finding, which is easily detected in most patients, be incorporated as a standard observation in the assessment of the JVP. Thus, when evaluated in the supine position, distended neck veins that do not collapse indicate an abnormally elevated venous pressure, while visible veins that collapse during deep inspiration or with a vigorous sniff suggest a normal JVP, and those that are not (or barely) visible that collapse indicate a low JVP. This methodology is applicable to most clinical situations.