Articles: treatment.
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Obesity is one of the non-communicable chronic diseases with the highest increase in recent decades in Latin America, affecting children, adolescents, and especially young adults. Forty percent of adults have a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. Numerous studies have demonstrated a relationship between obesity and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, diabetes, sleep apnea, and oncological diseases, among others. ⋯ Healthcare professionals must initiate patient care by considering their values and treatment goals, facilitating reflection, and fostering responsibility to promote long-term improvements. The initial approach, communication, and physician's attitude during the evaluation of a patient with obesity are significant determinants for successful treatment and patient health. The objective of this document is to compile the available information on the disease and present practical and summarized clinical management recommendations based on scientific evidence.
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In chronic non-oncological pain, there is a gap between the recommendations and the usual clinical practice. To improve this situation, it is essential to address unhelpful beliefs about pain in patients and health professionals. We address cultural beliefs such as thinking that pain means damage to the tissue where it is felt, that pain originates in the area where it is perceived, that it is important to rest for the tissues to heal, or that drugs and surgery are the best treatments for pain. First, professionals need to reflect on their own beliefs and question their own clinical practice: what do I believe about pain? Are these beliefs in line with current evidence? Do I follow the recommendations of clinical practice guidelines? In this way, by aligning their beliefs with the evidence, professionals will be able to begin to give appropriate educational advice to patients.