Articles: cations.
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Multicenter Study
Education and decision making at the time of triptan prescribing: patient expectations vs actual practice.
Optimizing patient satisfaction with their medical care and maximizing patient adherence with treatment plans requires an understanding of patient preferences regarding education and their role in decision making when treatments are prescribed. ⋯ Based on this study, it is clear that patients prefer the shared model approach to medical decision making in regards to the prescription of triptans. The majority of patients received education that was generally consistent with their desires. Patients preferred that the prescribing provider be the primary source of information. The most desired educational topics included when/if a triptan should be taken, the number of times a triptan can be taken for a single migraine, co-administration with other acute medications, and the most common side effects. Focusing on these topics should enhance patient satisfaction and may improve compliance.
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Curr Treat Option Ne · Feb 2014
Respiratory and nutritional support in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an uncommon and almost invariably fatal neurodegenerative disease. There is no known cure for ALS, and only one disease-modifying therapy is currently approved. ⋯ The primary causes of morbidity and mortality in ALS are complications from dysphagia, leading to malnutrition and respiratory insufficiency, and these require focused therapeutic attention. This article reviews the current evidence for nutritional and respiratory support in the management of ALS patients.
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Clinical presentation, neurologic condition, and imaging findings are the key components in establishing a treatment plan for acute SDH. Location and size of the SDH and presence of midline shift can rapidly be determined by computed tomography of the head. Immediate laboratory work up must include PT, PTT, INR, and platelet count. ⋯ For an acute SDH, evacuation by craniotomy or craniectomy is preferred over burr holes based on available data. Postoperative care includes monitoring of resolution of pneumocephalus, mobilization and drain removal, and monitoring for signs of SDH reaccumulation. Medical considerations include seizure prophylaxis and management as well as management and resumption of antithrombotic and anticoagulant medication.
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Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a very heterogeneous disorder for which a recommended treatment is not yet available. The purpose of this study was to investigate any possible roles of demographic and clinical characteristics of MOH patients that might predict a response to detoxification and advice with or without preventive treatment. ⋯ Our findings suggest that the benefit from detoxification and advice can be excluded in MOH of long duration. Therefore, a preventive treatment is suggested particularly for these patients.