Article
Which drugs are most effective for recurrent herpes labialis?
- Author:
- Eiko Tubridy, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Leilani St Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Daily oral acyclovir or valacyclovir may help prevent herpes simplex labialis (HSL) recurrences (strength of recommendation...
Article
Does ultrasound guidance improve outcomes for steroid joint injections?
- Author:
- Andrew Lawson, DO
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Patients yes, at least in the short term. Ultrasound-guided (USG) injections of triamcinolone into the shoulder improve...
Article
Do any topical agents help prevent or reduce stretch marks?
- Author:
- Jeanne Moore, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: NO TOPICAL AGENT has been proven to prevent or reduce stretch marks. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show that cocoa...
Article
Which treatments relieve painful muscle spasms from a black widow spider bite?
- Author:
- Rob Prongay, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: OPIOIDS RELIEVE PAIN and benzodiazepines ease muscle spasms in most patients with latrodectism—widespread, sustained spasms...
Article
Can probiotics safely prevent recurrent vaginitis?
- Author:
- Lucinda Jurden, MD
- Megan Buchanan, PharmD, MS
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: YES, using vaginal suppositories or eating yogurt with Lactobacillus may reduce recurrences of bacterial vaginosis...
Article
Is high-dose oral B12 a safe and effective alternative to a B12 injection?
- Author:
- Jeff Lin, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: YES. Both high-dose oral B12 and injected B12 raised low vitamin B12 levels and improved hematologic parameters and...
Article
Does brief physician counseling promote weight loss?
- Author:
- Jessica Cabodi, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: IN SOME CASES, it may. While physician counseling alone isn’t more effective for weight loss than usual care (strength of...
Article
What is the long-term educational outlook for youngsters with ADHD?
- Author:
- Jaime Payne, MD, MPH
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) complete fewer years of school, graduate from...
Article
What is the most effective treatment for acne rosacea?
- Author:
- David May, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: TOPICAL METRONIDAZOLE AND AZELAIC ACID are equally effective for the papulopustular lesions of acne rosacea, although...
Article
Is cinnamon safe and effective for treating lipid disorders?
- Author:
- Daniel Letinsky, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: IT’S PROBABLY SAFE, BUT ITS EFFECTIVENESS IS UNCERTAIN. Insufficient evidence exists to determine whether cinnamon improves...
Article
When should you treat tongue-tie in a newborn?
- Author:
- Anthony Cho, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: CONSIDER TREATMENT WHEN THE INFANT IS HAVING DIFFICULTY BREASTFEEDING. Infants with mild to moderate tongue-tie, or...
Article
Does office spirometry improve quit rates in smokers?
- Author:
- Jennifer Spata, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: IT DEPENDS. Simply performing spirometry and offering cessation advice doesn’t improve quit rates in patients who smoke (...
Article
Does red wine reduce cardiovascular risks?
- Author:
- Jennifer K. Lin, DO
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLIS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: YES. Moderate daily red wine consumption decreases cardiovascular risk compared with either abstinence or heavy and binge...
Article
Does chocolate have cardiovascular benefits?
- Author:
- Tara Milliron, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Leilani St. Anna, MLIS, AHIP
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: YES, EATING CHOCOLATE REDUCES BLOOD PRESSURE in the short term (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, a meta-analysis and...
Article
What’s the best treatment for pyogenic granuloma?
- Author:
- Ari Gilmore, MD
- Gary Kelsberg, MD
- Sarah Safranek, MLS
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: IT’S DIFFICULT TO SAY which treatment is best, since most studies don’t compare treatments directly. Pros and cons vary....