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The ECG shown was obtained as part of a routine "pre-op evaluation" for a markedly overweight young adult scheduled for bariatric surgery
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Compared with a low-fat diet, low-glycemic index and very low-carbohydrate diets resulted in higher resting and total energy expenditure (thus more calories burned) during the weight loss maintenance phase after a low-calorie diet.
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Two large, well-known, U.S. prospective cohort studies, the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, evaluated both sugar-sweetened and diet (low-calorie, also called artificially sweetened) soda consumption over 20 years and found one or more daily servings to be associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke.
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A systematic review of 29 studies using vitamin C to help lower blood pressure showed a slightly positive effect, though of debatable clinical value. The study highlights the variable nature of existing data in this realm with regards to quality and methodology.
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Acupressure is a therapeutic intervention that has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is based on the same meridian theory used in acupuncture. However, rather than using needles, acupoints are typically stimulated using pressure from fingers, hands, elbows or, in some cases, by devices.
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a complex group of heart-related conditions that are the leading cause of death among Americans and Europeans.
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The first retinoid as a topical foam has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of acne. Tazarotene is a synthetic, third-generation, polyaromatic, prodrug that binds to the retinoic acid receptors. Tazarotene is available in both gel and cream formulations. The foam is marketed by Stiefel as Fabior™.
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Unless a dramatic demographic shift occurs, approximately one in four of us will reside in a long-term care facility (LTCF) during our lifetime. Among LTCF residents, 30-50% of antibiotic utilization is for urinary tract infections (UTIs), resulting in substantial expense, adverse drug reactions, and ever-growing populations of resistant bacteria.
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Dangers of antibiotics are well known and recent research brings to light new dangers of commonly used medications. Five days of azithromycin results in 47 additional deaths from cardiovascular disease compared with amoxicillin and no antibiotic. One out of 2500 patients treated with a fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and norfloxacin) suffer a retinal detachment. These antibiotics should be used only when there is a clear clinical need and with caution.
