ABSTRACT
Chronic cough is one of the most common symptoms for which outpatient care is sought. The most frequent causes are upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux. It is often difficult to determine the origin of chronic cough based on the medical history and physical examination. Empirical treatment directed at the three aforementioned etiologies is thus of considerable value in the initial workup. Treatment failure is most commonly due to insufficient treatment (dosage or duration) or to the coexistence of several causes needing simultaneous use of different drugs.
Subject(s)
Cough/diagnosis , Cough/therapy , Adult , Age Factors , Chronic Disease , Cough/etiology , Diagnosis, Differential , Gastroesophageal Reflux/complications , Gastroesophageal Reflux/diagnosis , Gastroesophageal Reflux/therapy , Humans , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/complications , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/diagnosis , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/therapy , Syndrome , Tobacco Use Disorder/complications , Tobacco Use Disorder/diagnosis , Tobacco Use Disorder/therapyABSTRACT
This review of articles published in 2011 covers a large spectrum of topics that are of interest for the practice of general internal medicine and of primary care. Authors discuss public health issues, such as sleep disorders and their relationship with subsequent weight disorders, and the benefits of commercial weight reduction programs. Clinical topics, such as the management of victims of sexual violence and screening strategies for lung cancer, streptococcal pharyngitis, functional bowel disorders and hypertension in ambulatory settings are also reviewed. Besides, authors cover therapeutic issues, such as the treatment of hand arthritis with chondroitin sulfate and the management of plantar warts with salicylic acids and cryotherapy.
Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care/trends , Internal Medicine/trends , Humans , Public Health/trendsABSTRACT
Spirometry is a simple test, which has a central role in the early diagnosis and management of diseases that are very prevalent and may become symptomatic late in their evolution. This manuscript explores all the necessary steps for an optimal use of spirometry (choice of equipment, quality control, technique, and interpretation). Spirometry is easy to perform in a primary care setting and its use should be encouraged among primary care physicians. We discuss the indications of this test in the follow up of patients and cover the situations that need referral to the specialist.