Diagnostic Challenge
Abominable discomfort Severe epigastric pain flares while a patient is on vacation.

Casebook
Ascites Common in cirrhosis and liver disease, this condition may signal other medical problems.

ClinicalTalk
Deep vein thrombosis Treatment is a balancing act between bleeding and clotting, and little room for error. An interview with Vicky Tagalakis, MD

Update
The dialysis patient Improving quality of life and the odds of survival. By Liliana Oliveira, MD and Deborah Zimmerman, MD

Letters and Exchanges: what your colleagues are saying...
Stressing proper antibiotic use to prevent bacterial resistance.

Cultural Medicine
From hospital to home Communicate effectively with ethnic patients to lower the rates of readmission.

Mind Matters
Attention in focus New clinical research gets to the core of what's behind ADHD.

Geriatrics
End-of-life planning part 2 Empower patients to convey their final healthcare wishes.

Food for Thought
Calorie restriction Recent data shows that cutting back on servings can limit damage to DNA.

Heart Beat
Growing a new heart Stem cells may come to the rescue of coronary arteries ravaged by ischemia.

Perspectives on Pain
Antiepileptics in action Include these medications in your arsenal to treat musculoskeletal pain.

Cover photo: Thyroid glnd, scintiscan:©BSIP/Alpha Presse

From the front lines
A warning against ACE inhibitor use during a first-trimester pregnancy, a "special" cure for depression, and more…

Parkhurst correspondence
31 answers to your clinical questions Our panel answers your questions on nuts and their impact on lipids, cutting-edge treatment for pet allergies, and others…
This month's dermatology highlight Ichthyosis vulgaris: is baby at risk?
Question of the month Is HRT safe when risk of breast Ca is high?
Question authority Got a tough clinical quandary? Send in your question to our panel for expert advice.

Checklist
Preterm labour Identify high-risk women early on to avoid any associated health risks.

Skin Sense
Recurrent oral ulcers Strategies that take the sting out of these painful sores.

Case Conundrums
Marfan syndrome An early diagnosis is critical to prolonging the lives of patients with this genetic disorder.

Parkhurst index
In this month's collection of stats, the impact of HIV worldwide, the link between heart attacks and migraines, and more…

Round Table
Safer prescribing Insights into improving drug safety and enhanced communication through electronic databases.

Code Red
Drowning Risky behaviour and lack of supervision contribute to this leading cause of death.

Passing Scene
A good night's sleep is the key to shedding pounds, acupuncture may boost in vitro fertilization success rates, and more briefs…