• Articles

    Common Problems in Endurance Athletes

    DAVID D. COSCA, FRANCO NAVAZIO

    Most injuries in endurance athletes are caused by overuse and are treated with relative rest and a rehabilitative exercise program. Other susceptibilities are exercise-associated medical conditions such as exercise-induced asthma, exercise-associated collapse, hyponatremia,...

    Fibromyalgia

    SANGITA CHAKRABARTY, ROGER ZOOROB

    Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic pain, generalized tender points, sleep disturbance, fatigue, headache, morning stiffness, paresthesias, and anxiety. There are no treatment guidelines, but a multidisciplinary approach may ease symptoms.

    Home Monitoring of Glucose and Blood Pressure

    JAMES R. TAYLOR, KENDALL M. CAMPBELL

    Home monitoring of blood glucose and blood pressure levels can improve treatment adherence and clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes and hypertension. Glucose meters offer a variety of features. Validated arm cuffs are the preferred blood pressure devices for home use.

    Screening and Treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnancy

    BARBARA A. MAJERONI, SREELATHA UKKADAM

    Sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy have been linked with increased risks of premature delivery and low birth weight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends screening for some infections at the first prenatal visit, then again in the third...

    Inside AFP

    AFP Welcomes New Medical Editing Fellow

    MONICA PREBOTH

    The AFP family is pleased to welcome our newest editorial fellow, Uma Jayaraman, MD. Dr. Jayaraman accepted the 2007-2008 John C. Rose Fellowship in Medical Editing and has been part of the AFP medical editing staff at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.,...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Supplemental Funding Legislation Eliminates Current SCHIP Shortfalls | High-Deductible Plans May Increase Patients' Maternity Care Costs | Primary Care Collaborative Succeeds in Pushing Legislative Agenda | Report Recommends Cross-cultural Training for Residents | Health...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    SHERRI DAMLO

    According to data presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, saline mouth rinse may help physicians accurately detect head and neck tumors. The saline rinse flushes out CD44 protein, a bio-marker for head and neck cancers, and detects...

    Editorials

    Key Practice Points in the Management of Fibromyalgia

    CHRISTINE N. HUYNH, LEANNE M. YANNI, LAURA A. MORGAN

    In this era of evidence-based medicine, physicians often must make decisions where neither evidence nor consensus exists. This may explain why physicians often feel frustrated when faced with a patient with fibromyalgia. Fortunately, there is a growing body of evidence to...

    Graham Center Policy One-Pager

    Rural Origins and Choosing Family Medicine Predict Future Rural Practice

    The shortage of physicians in U.S. rural practice may impact access to health care for one in five citizens. Two medical student characteristics that predict eventual practice in rural settings are clear: being born in a rural county and choosing a residency in family medicine.

    Medical School Expansion: An Immediate Opportunity to Meet Rural Health Care Needs

    The first expansion of allopathic medical education in 35 years is under way; this could eliminate rural physician shortage areas if students more likely to practice in rural areas are preferentially admitted and supported.

    Close-ups

    Letting Go

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.

    Point-of-Care Guides

    Predicting Hip Fracture Risk in Older Women

    MARK H. EBELL

    Approximately one in six women will have a hip fracture during her lifetime, and approximately one in 35 of all women will die of complications from hip fracture.

    Photo Quiz

    Persistent Anterior Knee Pain

    TODD J. MAY

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

    STEPS

    Varenicline (Chantix) for Smoking Cessation

    BRYAN L. LOVE, TONJA MERZ

    For every nine highly-motivated patients who use varenicline instead of placebo, one will not be smoking one year later. Although the cost of therapy is a limitation (total cost is approximately $360 for a three-month course), the easy dosage titration, lack of drug...

    Practice Guidelines

    NAMS Releases Updated Position Statement on the Use of Estrogen and Progestogen in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

    LISA GRAHAM

    The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has released an updated position statement on the use of estrogen therapy (ET) and combined estrogen-progestogen therapy (EPT) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, based on the latest evidence on the risks and benefits...

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    AHA Releases Statement on Physical Activity Interventions

    SHERRI DAMLO

    The American Heart Association (AHA) has released a summary statement on physical activity interventions with the aim to provide an overview of their population-wide impact.

    CDC Publishes Statement on Cough and Cold Medications in Children

    SHERRI DAMLO

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a statement on the risks of cough and cold medications in children younger than two years. Health care professionals also should be aware of the risks of serious illness or fatal overdose.

    Letters to the Editor

    The Grapefruit-Drug Interaction Debate: Role of Statins

    BRIAN V. REAMY, MARK B. STEPHENS

    Tips from Other Journals

    Operative vs. Nonoperative Treatment for Back Pain

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Beta Blocker Use and Depression After Myocardial Infarction

    KARL E. MILLER

    Mifepristone Therapy for Uterine Fibroids

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Low Micronutrient Levels Can Predict Disability in Older Women

    KARL E. MILLER

    Is a Fall Risk Reduction Program Better Than Tai Chi?

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Does Breastfeeding Contribute to Children's Intelligence?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home

    Monitoring your blood pressure at home helps you and your doctor choose how to treat your high blood pressure. Controlling it can help lower the risk of problems with your heart, kidneys, and eyes.

    Monitoring Your Blood Sugar at Home

    Monitoring your blood sugar at home helps you and your doctor make good choices about treating your diabetes. Controlling it can help lower the risk of problems with your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.

    STIs in Pregnancy: Protecting Yourself and Your Baby

    At the beginning of pregnancy, your doctor will test you for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that could hurt you or your baby. These tests are very important.



    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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