Substance Abuse

Animal-assisted therapy: Do patients experience a medical benefit?

August 01, 2011

Statistically significant changes are not often seen in studies, but patients report feeling better after interaction with an animal and that alone should justify the use of animal-assisted therapy.
 

Esophageal varices and dyshidrosis

, July 13, 2011

This entry explores the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal varices and dyshidrosis, presented in a quick review format and accompanied by sample questions.
 

Altered mental status and heroin use in a teenage male immigrant

April 15, 2011

A young male is brought in by friends for evaluation of his confused mental state and vomiting, which they claim is due to excessive partying.
 

Persistent hiccups prompt closer examination

November 26, 2010

A homeless male patient is brought in by a roommate for evaluation of persistent hiccups and vomiting.
 

Abdominal mass and pain in a patient with pancreatitis

Robin L. Peacock; Urvi Shah, MD; Andres C. Marte-Grau, MD; Rathnakar Sherigar, MD October 26, 2010

A male patient with a history significant for pancreatitis, alcohol dependence, and smoking presents with left-sided abdominal pain and vomiting.
 

A review of pleural effusion and cirrhosis

September 16, 2010

The clinical features, assessment, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of cirrhosis and pleural effusion are outlined in a quick review format.
 

Buprenorphine: A more accessible treatment for opioid dependence

September 10, 2010

Buprenorphine-naloxone holds the key to opening primary care clinics to a greater number of patients suffering from opioid addiction.
 

Pain management: Opioid use in chronic noncancer pain

From CSAC, the Clinical and Scientific Affairs Council of the AAPA March 11, 2010

Concerns about prescribing controlled substances and the potential for addiction should not prevent PAs from adequately managing chronic noncancer pain.
 

PTSD: How to recognize the many faces of this hidden disorder

James E. Meyer, MD, FACP September 02, 2009

A broad view of the etiology of PTSD can help clinicians take a more effective approach to diagnosis and treatment.
 

An unresponsive airline passenger with miosis

, August 25, 2009

A middle-aged man is found unconscious in the international terminal of the airport with pinpoint pupils and a white powdery substance around his nose and mouth.
 

The risk of tramadol abuse and dependence: Findings in two patients

James D. Stoehr, PhD; Alison C. Essary, MHPE, PA-C; Chrissi Ou; Rob Ashby, MD, PLC; Michel Sucher, MD, FASAM, FACEP July 13, 2009

Tramadol dependence is controversial, but these cases provide a blueprint for recognizing and treating similar patients in your practice.
 

Substance Abuse: Screening, diagnosis, management

Alison C. Essary, MHPE, PA-C July 01, 2008

In the primary care setting, between 10% and 16% of patients have medical and/or psychosocial issues related to addiction, and fewer than 25% of patients who require treatment for substance abuse receive it.
 

Managing alcohol withdrawal in hospitalized patients

, Jennifer Drost, MMSc, PA-C; James A. Wilkens, MD; Adriane I. Budavari, MD September 01, 2007

Therapy includes benzodiazepines to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent delirium. Symptom-driven protocols may be more beneficial than scheduled-dosing plans.
 

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