The benefits, risks and costs of privacy: patient preferences and willingness to pay.

Objective: Multiple surveys show that patients want medical privacy; however, there are costs to maintaining privacy. There are also risks if information is not shared. A review of previous surveys found that most surveys asked questions about patient's privacy concerns and willingness to share their medical information.

Diabetic ketoacidosis.

A diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis requires the patient's plasma glucose concentration to be above 250 mg per dL (although it usually is much higher), the pH level to be less than 7.30, and the bicarbonate level to be 18 mEq per L or less. Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a better measurement of the degree of ketosis than serum ketones.

Tension headaches.

Preview Many people know the "tight-hatband" feeling that can occur at the end of an anxiety-filled day. An over-the-counter analgesic and a good night's sleep usually take care of it. But sometimes, headaches recur often or last days, and stronger measures are required.