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Articles

Otitis Externa: Review and Clinical Update

J. DAVID OSGUTHORPE, DAVID R. NIELSEN

Acute otitis externa typically is caused by bacterial or fungal overgrowth, and chronic disease usually is the result of a more generalized dermatologic or allergic problem. Topical application of acidifying solution usually is adequate in treating early disease.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

STEPHEN J. LURIE, BARBARA GAWINSKI, DEBORAH PIERCE, SALLY J. ROUSSEAU

Several instruments are available to screen for seasonal affective disorder, but improved outcomes require personalized attention to patients’ individual symptoms. Physicians should be aware of comorbid factors that could signal a need for further assessment.

Nutrition in Toddlers

RICHARD E. ALLEN, ANYA L. MYERS

The transition from infancy to toddlerhood is an important time for physicians to monitor growth and make recommendations for healthy eating. Children one to four years of age require a nutritionally appropriate diet without excess restriction.

Diagnosis of Acute Abdominal Pain in Older Patients

COREY LYON, DWAYNE C. CLARK

Acute abdominal pain often manifests differently in older patients than in their younger counterparts. Morbidity and mortality are high for older patients with acute abdominal pain, and these patients often require hospitalization and surgery.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis

BRIAN UNWIN, CYNTHIA M. WILLIAMS, WILLIAM GILLILAND

These closely related vasculitic conditions occur almost exclusively in patients older than 50 years. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy, and both conditions have good prognoses with treatment.

Inside AFP

Scientific Assembly Wrap-up, Clinical Quiz Clarification

JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

The AAFP Annual Scientific Assembly in Washington, D.C., drew more than 15,000 people, including nearly 5,000 family physicians. Many of those physicians stopped by the Publications booth to visit with staff members and complete a brief survey about AFP and Family Practice...

Newsletter

Newsletter

LIZ SMITH

Family Physicians, AAFP Rally on Capitol Hill for Health Care Reform | Analysis Finds U.S. Health Care System Below International Benchmarks | Experts Concerned About Pace of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness | Surveyed Physicians Cite Benefits and Burdens of Medicare Part D |...

Quantum Sufficit

Quantum Sufficit

SHERRI DAMLO

I scream, you scream, we all scream—for smaller bowls of ice cream? A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that people wanting to lose weight should eat from smaller bowls and use smaller serving spoons. Eighty-five nutrition experts were given a 17...

Editorials

BMI Monitoring in the Management of Obesity in Toddlers

QING HE

The toddler stage (i.e., one to four years of age) is a highly influential time in the prevention of obesity in children. In this issue ofAmerican Family Physician, Allen and Myers provide valuable information on dietary intake of milk and other beverages, fats, and vitamin...

Cochrane for Clinicians

Hormone Therapy in Postmenopausal and Perimenopausal Women

SUSANNA R. MAGEE, JULIE SCOTT TAYLOR

Relatively healthy women taking combined continuous hormone therapy have higher risks of myocardial infarction and venous thromboembolism after one year, stroke after three years, and breast cancer after five years. In women who take hormone therapy continuously for five...

Cochrane Briefs

AVRIL SWAN

Antidepressants in Older Persons

Cochrane Briefs

JANELLE GUIRGUIS-BLAKE

Interventions for Molluscum Contagiosum

Clinical Evidence Handbook

Chronic Low Back Pain

MAURITS VAN TULDER, BART KOES

What are the effects of nondrug and oral drug treatments and injection therapy?

FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

Psychosocial Interventions Delivered by Primary Care Physicians to Patients with Depression

MOLLY S. CLARK, PATRICK O. SMITH, THOMAS J. PAYNE, VINCENT LO

Few high-quality studies have been conducted examining the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions performed by primary care physicians for patients with major depression. Two randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) found that a psychosocial intervention,...

Photo Quiz

Asymmetry of the Thorax and Hypoplastic Hand

DILEK TOPRAK

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

POEMs

No Stirrups Preferred for Pelvic Examinations

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

High-Dose Gabapentin Equal to Estrogen for Hot Flashes

LINDA FRENCH

Smoking Cessation Medications Are Successful

DAVID SLAWSON

Parathyroid Hormone Prevents Recurrent Fractures

MARK EBELL

Prophylactic Surgery Reduces Ovarian Cancer Risk

DAVID SLAWSON

Antioxidants Do Not Prevent Colorectal Cancer

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

Distraction Lowers a Child’s Anxiety

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

Raloxifene and the Risk of Breast Cancer, Heart Disease

MARK EBELL

Curbside Consultation

Treatment of Patients with Literacy Issues

ASHA SUBRAMANIAN, CECILIA DOAK, LEONARD G. DOAK

Low literacy is more prevalent than previously thought. In 2003, almost 25 percent of Americans (45 million persons) who spoke English as their first language had the lowest level of literacy skills (i.e., level 1 out of 5) in reading, writing, and functioning in the English...

Practice Guidelines

NAMS Updates Recommendations on Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women

CARRIE ARMSTRONG

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has updated its evidence-based guidelines on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women to address the need for standards of care as they relate to menopause-associated health conditions.

Practice Guideline Briefs

Practice Guideline Briefs

SHERRI DAMLO

CDC Reports Prevalence of Dating Violence in High School Students

Practice Guideline Briefs

AMBER HUNTZINGER

ACOG Releases Practice Guideline on Management of Vaginitis

Letters to the Editor

Medication Options for the Treatment of CAP

LIONEL A. MANDELL, THOMAS M. FILE, JR., PAUL B. IANNINI

Tips from Other Journals

Suppressive Therapy for Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis

KARL E. MILLER

On-site Pneumonia Treatment Reduces Hospitalizations

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Homocysteine-Lowering Treatments for CVD?

CHUCK CARTER

Child Restraints Reduce Risk of Death in Motor Vehicle Crashes

KARL MILLER

Q Waves Predict Mortality in Myocardial Infarction

ANNE D. WALLING

Mediterranean-Style Diets and Cardiovascular Risk Markers

KENNETH W. LIN

Free-living Energy Expenditure Impacts Mortality Risk

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Gatifloxacin and Abnormal Blood Glucose Levels

CHUCK CARTER

Overweight Adolescent Girls Have Increased Mortality Risk

KENNETH W. LIN

Anticoagulation vs. Aspirin Plus Clopidogrel for Atrial Fibrillation

ANNE D. WALLING

Seafood Consumption and Newborn Mercury Levels

KARL E. MILLER

Higher Doses of Acetaminophen Cause Elevation in Liver Enzymes

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Should Diphenhydramine Be Used as a Sleep Aid in Infants?

KARL E. MILLER

Is a Three-Day Antibiotic Course Effective for CAP?

ANNE D. WALLING

Stroke Prevention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

KARL E. MILLER

Do Antioxidants Prevent Preeclampsia?

CHUCK CARTER

Alternative Therapies for Menopausal Symptoms

KARL E. MILLER

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Diagnosis and Treatment

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Information from Your Family Doctor

Giving Your Child the Best Nutrition

Raising a healthy, active toddler takes work, and parents need to know the best foods to give their child. Feeding toddlers isn’t always easy, but knowing about nutrition and eating habits will help you make the best choices for your child.

Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica: What You Should Know

Arteritis (ar-ter-EYE-tis) is when your blood vessels (the tubes that carry your blood) become swollen. Giant cell arteritis (or GCA) usually affects the artery on the side of your head. This is called the temporal artery.

Erectile Dysfunction: What You Should Know

Erectile dysfunction is when a man can’t get an erection to have sex or can’t keep an erection long enough to finish having sex. Erectile dysfunction also is called impotence. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in men older than 65.

Prostate Cancer: What You Should Know

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system(see the drawing below). The prostate makes a fluid that mixes with sperm and other fluids during ejaculation. A normal prostate is about the size of a walnut.

Testicular Cancer: What to Look For

Cancer is when cells in the body grow out of control. This can happen in one or both of the testicles. The testicles are located in the scrotum. The scrotum is a skin “sack” that hangs beneath the penis. The testicles produce male hormones and sperm.



Disclosure

All editors in a position to control content for this activity, AFP journal, are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships. View disclosures.


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