• 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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