• Articles

    New Developments in the Management of Hypertension

    MICHAEL K. MAGILL, KAREN GUNNING, SUSAN SAFFEL-SHRIER, CHRISTOPHER GAY

    In the past decade, the management of hypertension has evolved with the publication of several large clinical trials firmly positioning thiazide diuretics as the drugs of first choice in the treatment of hypertension. Treatment of systolic hypertension, particularly in...

    Recognition and Prevention of Inhalant Abuse

    CARRIE E. ANDERSON, GLENN A. LOOMIS

    Inhalant abuse is a prevalent and often overlooked form of adolescent drug abuse. Prevention should be the physician's primary goal.

    Failure to Thrive

    SCOTT D. KRUGMAN, HOWARD DUBOWITZ

    Prompt diagnosis of failure to thrive prevents malnutrition and developmental problems. Family physicians should be aware of the social and medical factors that may contribute.

    Smallpox Vaccine: Contraindications, Administration, and Adverse Reactions

    DOUGLAS M. MAURER, BRIAN HARRINGTON, J. MICHAEL LANE

    With the resumption of smallpox vaccination in civilian health care workers and the U.S. military, family physicians and their staff must be prepared to properly administer the smallpox vaccine, recognize normal and adverse reactions to the vaccine, and provide proper...

    Evaluation of Patients Presenting with Knee Pain: Part I. History, Physical Examination, Radiographs, and Laboratory Tests

    WALTER L. CALMBACH, MARK HUTCHENS

    A careful history and a focused physical examination are essential to determining an accurate diagnosis in patients who present with knee pain. Radiographs and laboratory tests are indicated in selected patients.

    Evaluation of Patients Presenting with Knee Pain: Part II. Differential Diagnosis

    WALTER L. CALMBACH, MARK HUTCHENS

    Factors that can help the family physician narrow the differential diagnosis of knee pain include the patient's age and the anatomic location of the pain.

    Ginkgo Biloba

    VICTOR S. SIERPINA, BERND WOLLSCHLAEGER, MARK BLUMENTHAL

    Ginkgo biloba is a commonly used herbal product that may be effective in the treatment of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, intermittent claudication, and tinnitus.

    Inside AFP

    New AFP Feature Provides Guides for Use at the Point of Care

    Janis Wright

    It's back-to-school time already and fall is just a few weeks away. That means it's time for a fresh crop of viruses and other infections to bring patients to your office with complaints of sore throat. This year, though, you can be armed with a better way of deciding how to...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Matthew Neff

    AAFP President's Letter Addresses HIPAA Transactions Deadline | AAFP's Positions on Legislative Issues Available Online | IOM Issues Report on Increasing Access and Availability of Vaccines | HRSA Releases Updated Statistical Report on Women's Health in the United States |...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Sarah Evans, Shab Vakil

    How many glasses of cranberry juice per day does it take to keep the cardiologist at bay? Three glasses, suggests a small study presented at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society. The nutrients found in cranberry juice may reduce the risk of heart disease by as...

    Editorials

    Screening for Inhalant Abuse in Children and Adolescents

    MICHAEL T. LYNSKEY

    In this issue of American Family Physician, Anderson and Loomis1 provide a timely review of the prevalence and consequences of inhalant abuse in children and adolescents. Although this form of substance abuse poses serious health risks, it may be overlooked when family...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Warning: What goes up must sometimes come down. I never miss an opportunity to encourage my patients to exercise. So, you can hardly blame me if I was feeling pretty good about myself and my patient when 67-year-old Annette credited me with her newfound interest in cycling....

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Is Leflunomide as Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis as Other DMARDs?

    MICHAEL SCHOOFF, JASON WICKERSHAM

    Compared with placebo, leflunomide improves clinical outcomes and delays radiologic progression of rheumatoid arthritis. After two years of treatment, leflunomide is as safe as sulfasalazine and more effective. Leflunomide's efficacy and adverse events are similar to those of...

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Headache (Chronic Tension Type)

    PETER J. GOADSBY

    What are the effects of treatments?

    Photo Quiz

    Abnormal Ocular Findings

    PATRICIO RODRIGUEZ, EYTAN Z. BLUMENTHAL

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

    Point-of-Care Guides

    Strep Throat

    MARK H. EBELL

    The probability of GABHS pharyngitis as the cause of sore throat is greatest in children younger than 15 years, especially those younger than 10.

    POEMs and Tips

    Warming Td Vaccine Does Not Reduce Pain

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Newer Antipsychotics Slightly Better than Older Ones

    HENRY BARRY

    CT-Guided Biopsy for Unilateral Pleural Effusions

    HENRY BARRY

    Steroids Ineffective for Throat Pain in Children

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Is Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis Safer?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Long-term Treatment Prevents Relapse in Acute Depression

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Gabapentin Reduces Hot Flushes

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Once-a-Day Medication for ADHD Treatment

    KARL E. MILLER

    Low-Dose Mifepristone Shrinks Uterine Fibroids

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Alcohol Consumption and C-Reactive Protein

    SUMI M. SEXTON

    Cognitive Therapy for Patients with Bipolar Affective Disorder

    KARL E. MILLER

    The Function of Aldosterone in Patients with Diabetes

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Restricted Shoulder Symptoms After Breast Cancer Surgery

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Practice Guidelines

    AHA Releases Statement on Exercise and Heart Failure

    Carrie A. Morantz

    Although discomfort during exercise is a principal reason that patients with heart failure seek medical care, exercise training is safe and can benefit these patients, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey

    AHRQ Report on Cancer Control Interventions | Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of ADHD | Global Developmental Delay in Children | AHRQ Review of Disability and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Curbside Consultation

    Responding to an In-flight Emergency

    ROBERT DACHS

    Although usually it's just the in-flight movie and food we get to fret about, unfortunately, in-flight emergencies are a frequent occurrence.

    Letters to the Editor

    Perioperative Beta Blockers for Patients with Diabetes

    Examinations Should Include Food Allergy Tests

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder As a Cause of Night Sweats

    WILHELMINA J. RIETSEMA

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Healthy Eating for Blood Pressure Control

    You can help lower your blood pressure by eating foods that are part of a healthy diet. If you want to keep your blood pressure normal, the best diet is one that is low in salt, sugar, and fat, and high in calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

    Is Your Child Abusing Inhalants?

    An inhalant can be almost any aerosol or liquid solvent. Oven cleaner, model glue, spray paint, correction fluid, paint thinner, and polyurethane are just a few of the household products that young people may try to inhale. They breathe in the fumes of the product directly...

    Failure to Thrive: Why Is My Child Underweight?

    Failure to thrive (FTT) is a growth problem in children, especially those younger than two years. A child who fails to thrive is behind in physical growth or size or doesn't gain enough weight. There are many possible causes of FTT, such as poor appetite, poor diet, or a...



    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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