• Articles

    Update on the Evaluation and Management of Functional Dyspepsia

    RYAN A. LOYD, DAVID A. McCLELLAN

    Functional dyspepsia is defined as the presence of postprandial fullness, early satiation, or epigastric pain or burning in the absence of causative structural disease. A detailed history and physical examination can rule out serious conditions. Early endoscopy is appropriate...

    Systemic Vasculitis

    POONAM SHARMA, SANJEEV SHARMA, RICHARD BALTARO, JOHN HURLEY

    Systemic vasculitis is characterized by inflammation of blood vessel walls, and is difficult to diagnose because the clinical manifestations mimic other conditions. Diagnosis relies on the recognition of a compatible clinical presentation supported by specific laboratory or...

    Preventing Gaps When Switching Contraceptives

    RUTH LESNEWSKI, LINDA PRINE, REGINA GINZBURG

    When patients switch from one contraceptive method to another, it may be necessary to overlap the old and new methods until the new method reaches full effectiveness. To switch safely between methods without overlap, women must abstain from intercourse or use a barrier method...

    Antibiotic Prophylaxis to Prevent Surgical Site Infections

    ALAN R. SALKIND, KAVITHA C. RAO

    Surgical Care Improvement Project performance measures to prevent surgical site infections provide evidence-based recommendations for appropriately selecting, administering, and discontinuing prophylactic antibiotics for patients undergoing clean-contaminated surgeries.

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP, Other Organizations Support Medical Liability Reform Legislation | AAFP Joins in Letter to IOM About Practice Scope of APRNs, Criticizes Related Webinar | USPSTF Osteoporosis Recommendations Updated to Call for Younger Screening Age | Family Physicians Report Payment...

    Editorials

    The Changing Prevalence of the Autism Spectrum Disorders

    CATHERINE E. RICE

    We know that the number of persons receiving services for autism spectrum disorders has increased substantially since the early 1990s, but are there really more children today with the cluster of behaviors that make up the autism spectrum disorders than there were in the past?

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Effectiveness of Acamprosate in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

    WILLIAM E. CAYLEY, JR.

    When used in conjunction with detoxification and psychosocial interventions for treating alcohol dependence, acamprosate can reduce the risk of any return to drinking and improve cumulative abstinence rates.

    Stage-Based Interventions for Smoking Cessation

    COREY D. FOGLEMAN

    Although providing stage-based smoking cessation interventions for those trying to quit appears to be more effective than not intervening at all, the evidence does not support tailoring interventions to a patient's perceived motivational stage of change.

    Photo Quiz

    Ulcer on Lower Lip of Deployed Serviceman

    DONALD SHENENBERGER, THOMAS BARLOW

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

    Point-of-Care Guides

    Evaluation of Chest Pain in Primary Care Patients

    MARK H. EBELL

    Chest pain can be caused by conditions that range from benign and self-limited (e.g., chest wall pain) to serious (e.g., anxiety disorder) or life-threatening (e.g., unstable angina, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism). Accurate identification of life-threatening and...

    Curbside Consultation

    Self-Injurious Behavior in an Adolescent

    DAVID V. BODE, TIMOTHY A. ROBERTS

    The behavior of this patient is nonsuicidal self-injury, defined as the intended destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent. Nonsuicidal self-injury is a common biopsychosocial disorder observed in adolescents.

    Practice Guidelines

    AAP Reports on Diagnosis and Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia

    CARRIE ARMSTRONG

    Iron is the most common single-nutrient deficiency among children in developing countries and is a common cause of anemia in industrialized nations. A report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides information on the diagnosis and prevention of iron deficiency...

    Letters to the Editor

    Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Breast Cancer

    Screening Recommendations Are Not Always “One Size Fits All”

    Tips from Other Journals

    No Added Benefit of Fenofibrate for Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Mellitus

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Effects of Intensive Blood Pressure Control in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

    KENNETH T. MOON

    High Doses of B Vitamins May Worsen Diabetic Nephropathy

    MARY ANN MAURER

    Oral Antidiabetic Drugs Similarly Effective When Added to Metformin

    AMY CRAWFORD-FAUCHER

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Dyspepsia (Indigestion)

    Dyspepsia (dis-PEP-se-ah) is another name for indigestion. It can cause bloating, or make you feel full too early when you eat. It may also cause acid reflux (a burning pain that moves up from your stomach into your chest), nausea, or vomiting.

    How to Switch Birth Control Methods

    It is important to go straight from one birth control method to the next, with no gaps in between. This will help lower your chance of getting pregnant.

    Allergies: Controlling Your Symptoms

    An allergy is when your body overreacts to things that don't cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens. Some food and medicines can cause serious allergic reactions. Allergens in the air usually cause more common symptoms, such as runny nose, watery...

    Allergy Shots: Could They Help Your Allergies?

    An allergy shot contains a very small amount of what you are allergic to (called an allergen). Common allergens include mold and pollen from grasses, ragweed, and trees. For example, if you are allergic to grass pollen, a small amount of the pollen is put into the shot.



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