Lippincott's primary care practice
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Headache is one of the most common complaints in primary care, virtually affecting all persons at some point. Headache may be a symptom of other pathology (secondary headache) or due to a primary headache disorder. ⋯ The key to effective management of these chronic syndromes is differential diagnosis through history, physical exam, and possibly diagnostic studies. Pharmacologic management may include abortive, adjunctive, and prophylactice medications.
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Lippincotts Prim Care Pract · Sep 2000
ReviewEpistaxis management: what's new and what's noteworthy.
In many ways, the treatment of epistaxis is not new. Nasal packing was used in the 4th century BC. Our modern-day management of epistaxis is a little more sophisticated, with the advent of new products, rigid endoscopes, improved surgical techniques, and arterial embolization. ⋯ Only 10% of individuals with nasal bleeding seek medical attention. Health care providers in all primary care settings encounter patients experiencing epistaxis and need to be knowledgeable in emergency epistaxis management. The evaluation will be key to successful identification of the site of bleeding and to identify possible underlying cause(s) that will guide treatment options.
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Oncologic emergencies may occur in patients who have no prior diagnosis of malignancy as well as in patients who are known to have cancer. It is important for the primary care practitioner to consider an oncologic cause for symptoms or problems that may bring a patient into the office. These symptoms often are vague and could be indicative of numerous problems frequently associated with individuals who have cancer. A brief overview of the most common oncologic emergencies is given, along with differential diagnostic possibilities and management strategies.
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Lippincotts Prim Care Pract · Mar 1999
ReviewIdentifying and treating agitated behaviors in the long-term care setting.
This article provides information on identification, assessment, and intervention techniques for agitated behaviors in the long-term care setting. Although the emphasis is on prevention and management of agitation, the article offers suggestions to assist health care providers in differentiating between delirium, psychosis, depression, anxiety, and dementia, which may place a resident at risk for agitation. Basic treatment approaches for each of these disorders is also reviewed.