Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine
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The obesity paradox describes a survival benefit for higher body mass index in patients with heart failure. But other factors like cardiorespiratory fitness may play a role in heart failure development, severity, and survival. Although more research is needed to better understand the relationships between body mass index and fitness in patients with heart failure, evidence indicates that recommending weight loss and an exercise program is appropriate for most patients.
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Nicotine addiction and dependence is a chronic relapsing disease driven by addiction to nicotine. Proactive treatment for all tobacco users, regardless of their readiness to quit, is recommended. ⋯ Comprehensive treatment with behavioral interventions and pharmacologic therapy increases success rates of smoking cessation. Although there are many popular alternative treatments, they should not replace or delay the use of known effective therapies.
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Physical activity can maximize health by improving disease-oriented and patient-oriented outcomes in women age 60 and older. General activity levels are low in the United States. ⋯ Understanding the benefits of the specific type of physical activity, the intensity, and the level in older women helps clinicians provide focused, time-efficient counseling in primary care. This review details the benefits of physical activity in older women by disease state.
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The Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention publishes an annual report on asthma management and prevention. The report reflects the most recent evidence on asthma and its treatment and provides recommendations for clinical practice. This article reviews the guidelines with a focus on what's new and clinically important for practitioners treating this patient population.