SAMe
Neither a drug nor an herb, SAMe—also known as SAM-e and SAME—is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring coenzyme.
Print Issue: August 04, 2008
A gastric bypass patient with recurrent bronchitis
New-onset symptoms trigger a diagnostic quest in a woman with a multifactorial medical history.
Anemia in a patient previously treated for renal insufficiency
Two months after moving to the United States from Egypt, 67-year-old Mr. A presented to the emergency department with moderate shortness of breath that worsened on…
Fabric softener for louse nits
To remove nits after treating for lice, work a small amount of fabric softener into the patient’s hair and scalp, cover with a plastic shower cap for 20 minutes, and then comb out.—RETA LUMPKIN, MSN, CFNP, FNP-C, Picayune, Miss. (118-19)
When the taste buds start to go
The last two taste sensations to diminish in elderly patients are sweet and sour, so be sure to include snacks that feature those flavors when trying to improve senior appetites. Also, watch out for supplement drinks that make the patient feel full without the additional benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables.—BETTY PELLETIER, ANP, Chapin, S.C.…
Difficult-to-assess blood findings
For the past several years, on a consistent basis, an asymptomatic 70-year-old Asian American man has had the following hematologic findings (with lab ranges) indicative of…
SUSPECTED SPOUSAL ABUSE
If a woman relates a history that makes you highly suspicious of spousal abuse, are you obligated to report this to the authorities? What if the woman is adamant in her…
Cholesterol goals in diabetes patients
Now that colesevelam (WelChol), a bile acid sequestrant (BAS), has been shown to decrease hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), should it be the agent of…
Treating polycystic ovary syndrome
What is the best way to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
RECALCITRANT PLANTAR WARTS
For the past six months I have been treating plantar warts on the foot of a 20-year-old woman. After two Histofreeze treatments, the warts appeared…
