Noncardiac inpatient has acute hypertension: Treat or not?

A retrospective study found more harm than benefit from treating elevated blood pressure in hospitalized noncardiac patients.

Acute Diarrhea in Adults.

Acute diarrheal disease accounts for 179 million outpatient visits annually in the United States. Diarrhea can be categorized as inflammatory or noninflammatory, and both types have infectious and noninfectious causes. Infectious noninflammatory diarrhea is often viral in etiology and is the most common presentation; however, bacterial causes are also common and may be related to travel or foodborne illness.

Alcohol abstinence reduces A-fib burden in drinkers.

A recent Australian study demonstrated a significant reduction in A-fib recurrence and burden among regular drinkers who abstained from alcohol.

Updated USPSTF screening guidelines may reduce lung cancer deaths.

By nearly doubling the number of patients eligible for screening, as many as 60,000 US lives may be saved-but concerns may limit acceptance.

Behavioral Disorders in Dementia: Appropriate Nondrug Interventions and Antipsychotic Use.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia pose management challenges for caregivers and clinicians. Firstline nonpharmacologic treatments include eliminating physical and emotional stressors, modifying the patient's environment, and establishing daily routines. Family members and caregivers benefit from education about dementia symptoms and reminders that the behaviors are normal and unintentional.