• Articles

    Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

    ANTHONY J. VIERA, STEVE HOAG, JOSEPH SHAUGHNESSY

    Management of irritable bowel syndrome centers on an effective physician-patient relationship with occasional pharmacotherapeutic agents used as needed for predominant symptoms. Only a few medications have proved effective in high-quality trials.

    Radiologic Imaging in the Management of Sinusitis

    KOLAWOLE S. OKUYEMI, TERANCE T. TSUE

    Diagnostic imaging is generally used in patients with recurrent or complicated sinus disease and is helpful in preventing serious complications.

    Preoperative Cardiac Risk Assessment

    BERNARD M. KARNATH

    Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. An important subset of heart disease is perioperative myocardial infarction, which affects approximately 50,000 persons each year. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association ...

    Topical Tacrolimus: A New Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis

    JOHN J. RUSSELL

    Tacrolimus ointment is an effective new therapy for atopic dermatitis. It may be used as a steroidsparing agent in patients with this condition.

    Removal of Unwanted Facial Hair

    DONALD W. SHENENBERGER, LYNN M. UTECHT

    Unwanted facial hair is a common condition that often goes untreated. Patients should be informed about treatment options, which vary in cost, efficacy, and side effects.

    Using Medications Appropriately in Older Adults

    CYNTHIA M. WILLIAMS

    Older Americans comprise 13 percent of the population, but they consume an average of 30 percent of all prescription drugs. Every day, physicians are faced with issues surrounding appropriate prescribing to older patients. Polypharmacy, use of supplements, adherence issues,...

    Inside AFP

    Practical Therapeutics from Naval Hospital Jacksonville

    Janis Wright

    On page 1867 of this issue you'll find the first in a new lineup of articles developed by the Department of Family Practice at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Fla., for AFP's longstanding “Practical Therapeutics” series. Starting off with the cover article, ...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Matthew Neff

    AAFP Selects New Officers and Board Members for Upcoming Year | FDA Proposes Regulation to Expedite Availability of Generic Drugs | AAFP Hosts Future of Family Medicine Project Web Site | AHRQ Awards Grants to Primary Care Practice-Based Research Networks

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Sarah Evans, Heather McNeill

    “Do the cross-and-squeeze.” No, it's not the latest dance move, but a technique developed at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam for people with a condition that causes their blood pressure to drop when they stand up. Twenty patients who had previous fainting spells were...

    Editorials

    A Common Sense Approach to Perioperative Evaluation

    DEBABRATA MUKHERJEE, KIM A. EAGLE

    In this issue of American Family Physician, Karnath1 discusses preoperative risk assessment based on guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the American College of Physicians. Perioperative cardiac complications, which affect a...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Recently, a 17-year-old man came into the office. He had pain in his right anterior chest as a result of an altercation several days earlier. X-rays of his shoulder, chest, and ribs were negative. He had no difficulty swallowing, but further history revealed that at the time...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Behavioral Counseling in Primary Care to Promote Physical Activity: Recommendations and Rationale

    This statement summarizes the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on counseling by primary care physicians to promote physical activity and the supporting scientific evidence, and it updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to...

    Practice Guidelines

    CDC Releases 2002 Guidelines for Treating STDs: Part II. Human Papillomavirus and Hepatitis

    Genevieve W. Ressel

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published the 2002 guidelines for treating sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Information on human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis is included.

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey

    Recommendations on Combined Hormone Therapy | AAP Recommendations on Reporting Child Abuse | NIH Statement on Management of Cancer Symptoms | FDA Advisories | FDA Approvals

    Curbside Consultation

    When the Side Effect Is Really the Symptom

    WILLIAM G. ELDER

    To improve compliance with medication regimens, the following recommendations, based on recent developments in the treatment of schizophrenia, may be useful.

    Letters to the Editor

    Importance of an Accurate Diagnosis for Achilles Rupture

    JAMES BRADLEY SUMMERS

    Use of Feeding Tubes in Elderly Patients with Dementia

    BRIAN J. WELLS

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Depression

    Lead Poisoning Presents a Difficult Diagnosis

    TRICIA L. HETTMANSBERGER, MARK B. MYCYK

    Tips from Other Journals

    Diagnosing Uncomplicated Cystitis in Women

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Predictors of Cigarette Smoking in Adolescents

    KARL E. MILLER

    Obesity Is Not a Risk Factor for Airflow Obstruction

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Accuracy of Bedside Examination for Meningitis

    BILL ZEPF

    When Is Antibiotic Therapy Necessary for Otitis Media?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Should Mothers See Their Infants After Stillbirth?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Epidural Analgesia Prolongs the Active Phase of Labor

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Efficacy of Combination Therapy for Prostate Cancer

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Does Stress Precipitate Recurrence of Breast Cancer?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Preventing Falls: Which Intervention Is Most Effective?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Teens Do Not Gain Weight with Oral Contraceptives

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Therapeutic Use of Vitamins and Disease Prevention

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    d-Dimer Testing: Useful in Diagnosing DVT?

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Chronic Pelvic Pain? Think Interstitial Cystitis

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Blood Pressure Control: A Physician-Focused Approach

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Extended-Release Niacin for Type 2 Diabetes Dyslipidemia

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Long-Term Survival Benefit After Use of Abciximab?

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Cost-Effectiveness of Colorectal Cancer Screening

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Are We Ready for Growth Hormone Therapy in Adults?

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Updating the Healthy Range for Serum ALT Levels

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Antiplatelet Therapy After Acute Myocardial Infarction

    ANNE D. WALLING

    What Is the Natural History of Late-Life Depression?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    IBS—What You Need to Know

    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common problem that leads to stomach pains or cramps that are often relieved by having a bowel movement. Patients with IBS often have problems with constipation (infrequent or difficult bowel movements), diarrhea, or both. They may feel an...

    Atopic Dermatitis

    Atopic dermatitis, which is also called eczema, is an itchy skin rash that doesn't go away. It usually starts in childhood. It is common in people with allergies and asthma. The rash is usually behind the knees and in the crease of the elbows, but it can be anywhere on the...

    What Should I Know About Removing Unwanted Facial Hair?

    Unwanted hair on the face is a common problem. It affects many men and women. Most methods of hair removal are simple and don't cost very much. However, permanent hair removal is not always possible.



    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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