MUSCLE WEAKNESS
49 MUSCLE WEAKNESS General Discussion The first step in the evaluation of muscle weakness is differentiating true muscle weakness from fatigue and asthenia. Fatigue is the inability to continue performing…
LEUKOPENIA
48 LEUKOPENIA General Discussion The normal peripheral white blood cell count ranges from 5.0 to 10.0 × 109/L. Leukopenia is defined as a total WBC count below 4.5 × 109/L….
LEUKOCYTOSIS
47 LEUKOCYTOSIS General Discussion Leukocytosis is defined as a white blood cell (WBC) count greater than 11 000 per mm3. Circulating leukocytes consist of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and lymphocytes….
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
13 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE General Discussion Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by the presence of sustained abnormalities of renal function and results from different causes of renal injury. CKD…
CHRONIC COUGH
12 CHRONIC COUGH General Discussion The cough reflex is complex, but cough generally results from irritant stimulation of one or more receptors in the respiratory system. Estimating the duration of…
INFERTILITY, MALE
45 INFERTILITY, MALE General Discussion Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse, affects 15% of couples. Half of these couples have a component of…
INFERTILITY, FEMALE
44 INFERTILITY, FEMALE General Discussion Infertility affects one couple in six and becomes more common with increasing age. Clinical evaluation of infertility is indicated if a pregnancy has not occurred…
HYPOTHYROIDISM
43 HYPOTHYROIDISM General Discussion Hypothyroidism usually results from decreased thyroid hormone production and secretion by the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can either be primary or central, which involves the pituitary gland…
HYPOKALEMIA
41 HYPOKALEMIA General Discussion Hypokalemia is defined as a serum potassium level less than 3.6 mEq per liter. Hypokalemia has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension, ischemic stroke,…
