FIBROMYALGIA
24 FIBROMYALGIA General Discussion The 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for fibromyalgia has two components: (1) the presence of widespread pain for more than 3 months and (2)…
HYPONATREMIA
42 HYPONATREMIA General Discussion Hyponatremia generally is defined as a plasma sodium level of less than 135 mEq/L. Hyponatremia may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Most patients with hyponatremia…
WEIGHT LOSS
73 WEIGHT LOSS General Discussion Clinically significant weight loss can be defined as the loss of 10 pounds or more than 5% of the usual body weight over 6 to…
TRANSAMINASE ELEVATION
70 TRANSAMINASE ELEVATION General Discussion The following discussion applies to mild elevations of liver transaminase levels (up to five times normal) in asymptomatic patients. The first step in the evaluation…
URINARY INCONTINENCE
72 URINARY INCONTINENCE General Discussion Urinary incontinence is caused by disturbance in the storage function, and occasionally in the emptying function, of the lower urinary tract. A continent sphincter mechanism…
THYROID NODULE
68 THYROID NODULE General Discussion The prevalence of palpable thyroid nodules is 3–7% in North America. Thyroid nodules are more common in elderly persons, in women, in those with iodine…
TESTICULAR MASSES
66 TESTICULAR MASSES General Discussion When evaluating a scrotal mass, it should be classified as extratesticular or intratesticular, solid or cystic, and painless or painful. Masses which arise from the…
