• Articles

    Hyperparathyroidism

    DAVID A. ALLERHEILIGEN, JOE SCHOEBER, ROBERT E. HOUSTON, VIRGINIA K. MOHL, KAREN M. WILDMAN

    Hyperparathyroidism usually presents initially as an incidental finding of asymptomatic calcium elevation on a chemistry panel. Symptoms are vague, and parathyroidectomy is usually indicated.

    Head and Neck Manifestations of AIDS in Adults

    AMIR H. MOAZZEZ, AIJAZ ALVI

    Head and neck manifestations are among the most common complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and may be the initial signs of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus.

    Lumbar Spine Stenosis: A Common Cause of Back and Leg Pain

    JAMIE A. ALVAREZ, RUSSELL H. HARDY, JR.

    Most patients who undergo surgical treatment of lumbar spine stenosis have rapid clinical improvement and return to previous activity levels.

    Exercise During Pregnancy

    THOMAS W. WANG, BARBARA S. APGAR

    Physicians should screen pregnant patients for any contraindications to exercise and encourage them to avoid overly vigorous activities, especially in the third trimester. Adequate hydration and appropriate ventilation are important in preventing the possible teratogenic...

    Axillary Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Need for Full Cutaneous Examination

    JOSEPH C. ENGLISH, III, DANIEL R. CANCHOLA, ERIC M. FINLEY

    While basal cell carcinomas most commonly develop in sun-exposed areas of the body, they can also occur in generally photo-protected sites, such as the breast and groin areas. Thus, periodic complete skin examinations are extremely important.

    Practical Steps to Smoking Cessation for Recovering Alcoholics

    HELEN E. MCILVAIN, JANET KAY BOBO, AMBER LEED-KELLY, MICHAEL A. SITORIUS

    Attempts at smoking cessation for patients in alcohol recovery may be enhanced by motivational counseling techniques and activities tailored to the identified stage of readiness to change.

    Use of Immunotherapy in a Primary Care Office

    TIMOTHY CRAIG, AMY M. SAWYER, JOHN A. FORNADLEY

    Indications for immunotherapy include evidence of IgE-mediated disease and positive results on skin test or radioallergosorbent test (RAST).

    Preventing Congestive Heart Failure

    JAY N. COHN

    Congestive heart failure can be prevented by aggressive management of etiologic factors and early intervention in patients with acute or chronic left ventricular dysfunction.

    High-Altitude Medicine

    MARK D. HARRIS, JAMES TERRIO, WILLIAM F. MISER, JOSEPH F. YETTER, III

    Gradual ascent and “climb high, sleep low” are two important rules to help prevent high-altitude illness, a troublesome and potentially fatal complication of high-altitude activities.

    Family Practice International

    Anne D. Walling

    (Great Britain—The Practitioner, January 1998, p. 47.) Traditional antipsychotic medications that block dopamine receptors usually induce remission within a few weeks and, at reduced maintenance dosages, these medications may control symptoms sufficiently to enable patients...

    Inside AFP

    AFP on CD-ROM

    JANIS WRIGHT

    Copies of the newest update of AFP on CD-ROM have just become available. This year's disc contains six years' worth of materials published from January 1992 through December 1997. If you have not yet explored the convenience of having a whole collection of AFP at your...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    Newsletter

    Rosemarie Sweeney, Verna L. Rose

    Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News Now.

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Monica A. Preboth, Rachel Richards

    From 1970 to 1995, enrollment of Asian students in allopathic medical schools rose dramatically, from about 1 percent of all students to about 17 percent, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. During that period, enrollment of blacks rose from about 4...

    Editorials

    Effects of Exercise on Pregnancy

    NIHARIKA KHANNA

    The number of women who exercise regularly has been increasing since the mid-1970s. Women may run, cycle, perform aerobics or lift weights on a daily basis. Many women participate in competitive activities such as team sports, races, or even marathons. Collegiate women's...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Today, a 41-year-old woman presented to SEF for her first maternity care examination at eight weeks of gestation. This would not have been an unusual occurrence except for the fact that the patient had undergone the exact same examination about eight months ago. She had been...

    Conference Highlights

    Conference Highlights

    Verna L. Rose

    (Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists) A survey of more than 450 parents whose children had undergone outpatient surgery revealed that parents are effective at managing their children's pain following surgery. The survey was also administered to the...

    Special Medical Reports

    CDC Releases the 1998 Guidelines for the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

    VERNA L. ROSE

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the “1998 Guidelines for the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.” The guidelines were developed by the CDC after consultation with a group of experts who met in Atlanta in 1997. Chair of the expert...

    Consensus Statement Update on Depression in Late Life Is Issued by the NIH

    VERNA L. ROSE

    Staff members of the National Institute of Mental Health and other experts that participated in the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression in Late Life in 1991 recently convened to reexamine the conclusions of...

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Verna L. Rose

    The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has issued a statement on the use of chromium supplements to increase muscle mass, reduce body fat and improve blood glucose levels and lipid levels. The ACSM believes that chromium supplementation is not necessary. A diet high...

    Letters to the Editor

    Current Immunization Recommendations

    Herpes Esophagitis in an Immunocompetent Host

    MICHAEL KIRSCH

    Use of Melatonin for Insomnia

    Tips from Other Journals

    Monitoring Peak Expiratory Flow Rates to Control Asthma

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Aspirin Therapy to Reduce Cutaneous Reactions to Niacin

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Malaria Prevention in Travelers: Update on Chemoprophylaxis

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Smoking and Resistance to Insulin in Type 2 Diabetes

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Effect of Aerobic Exercise During Chemotherapy

    KARL E. MILLER

    Coronary Angioplasty vs. Thrombolytic Therapy

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Patient Preferences for Colorectal Cancer Screening

    KARL E. MILLER

    Mibefradil: A T-Type Calcium Channel Blocker

    BARBARA APGAR

    Long-term Amphetamine Use in Children with ADHD

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Mammography Before Age 50 and Rate of Cancer Mortality

    KARL E. MILLER

    Efficacy and Safety of Topical Gel for Actinic Keratoses

    BARBARA APGAR

    Physical Function, Mobility and Development of Kyphosis

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Quality of Hospital Care and Pneumonia in the Elderly

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Identifying and Treating Acute Ischemic Stroke

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Diagnosis of Insufficiency Fracture in the Elderly

    KARL E. MILLER

    Safety of Naltrexone for the Treatment of Alcoholism

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Diagnostic Value of Cardiac Troponin in Acute Chest Pain

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Predicting Treatment Outcome in Chronic Hepatitis C

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Use of the Ottawa Knee Rule for Evaluation of Knee Injuries

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Interferon-Alfa Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Seven-Day Triple Combination Therapy for Helicobacter pylori

    KARL E. MILLER M.D.

    Transvaginal Ultrasonography vs. Endometrial Biopsy

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Polymerase Chain Reaction and Hepatitis C Transmission

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Benefits of Tight Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Potassium–Magnesium Citrate to Prevent Nephrolithiasis

    KARL E. MILLER

    Serum Lactate as a Marker of Acute Myocardial Infarction

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Maintenance of Cardiac Health in Older Adults

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Functional Decline as It Relates to Specific Medical Conditions

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Thromboembolic Disease and Factor V Leiden Defect

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Hyperparathyroidism: What It Is and How It's Treated

    When the parathyroid glands make too much hormone, it's called hyperparathyroidism (HPT for short). The parathyroids are four glands behind the thyroid gland at the front of your neck. The hormone they make is called parathyroid hormone (or PTH). This hormone keeps the right...

    Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis: A Common Cause of Back and Leg Pain

    Lumbar spinal canal stenosis is a narrowing in the space in the lower spine that carries nerves to your legs. This space is very small. It gets even smaller if the bone and tissue around it grow. It takes many years for this bone and tissue to grow.

    Exercise During Pregnancy

    It's probably safe, but you should check with your doctor first. Although some questions have been asked about the effects of exercise on pregnant women, there is no proof that gentle exercise has any bad effects on pregnancy. Studies haven't shown any benefits for the baby,...

    Smoking Cessation in Recovering Alcoholics: Fiction Versus Fact

    “Smoking isn't a bigger problem for people in recovery than it is for anyone else. You're just trying to scare me.”

    Allergy Shots: Could They Help Your Allergies?

    An allergy shot has in it very small amounts of the substance that you are allergic to (called an allergen). Things that cause allergies are called “allergens.” Common allergens include mold and pollen from grasses, ragweed and trees. For example, if you are allergic to grass...

    High-Altitude Illness: How to Avoid It and How to Treat It

    Every year millions of people go to the mountains for backpacking, skiing, mountain climbing and other activities. If you're planning a trip to altitudes over 8,000 feet, before you go, talk with your doctor about high-altitude illness, or mountain sickness as it is often called.



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    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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