DANIEL L. STULBERG, NICOLE CLARK, DANIEL TOVEY
Common hyperpigmentation disorders include freckles and lentigines, caféau lait macules, and phototoxic reactions to plants or medications. Diffuse hyperpigmentation may be caused by medication side effects or by systemic conditions such as Addison's disease, hemochromatosis,...
DANIEL L. STULBERG, NICOLE CLARK, DANIEL TOVEY
Localized hyperpigmentation disorders such as melasma, diabetic dermopathy, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation are relatively benign but often concern patients. Acanthosis nigricans is associated with insulin resistance, and sudden onset of acanthosis nigricans or...
EDNA MARIE JONES, DOUG KNUTSON, DANELL HAINES
When physicians are caring for patients who are recovering from chemical dependency, the treatment goal should be to avoid relapse. First-line therapy should be nonpharmacologic, but when medication is necessary, physicians should avoid prescribing drugs that have the...
JAMEE H. LUCAS, D. LINDSIE CONE
Breast cyst aspiration is a simple, cost-effective, minimally invasive procedure. It is an appropriate first step in the care of women who present with a dominant breast mass suspected of being a cyst.
BARBARA S. APGAR, LAUREN ZOSCHNICK, THOMAS C. WRIGHT, JR.
The 2001 Bethesda System for reporting cervical or vaginal cytologic diagnoses provides revisions in statements of adequacy, general categorization, and interpretation/results.
MEGAN A. COOPER, THOMAS L. POMMERING, KATALIN KORÁNYI
Primary immunodeficiencies include a variety of disorders that render patients more susceptible to infections. Early recognition and diagnosis can alter the course of these disorders significantly.
Janis Wright
On page 1992 of this issue, you will find an article that exemplifies the 2003 Annual Clinical Focus on Prevention, an educational initiative of the American Academy of Family Physicians. The initiative is conducted in cooperation with the following organizations: the Agency...
Matthew Neff
AAFP Congress of Delegates Changes Name of Specialty to Family Medicine | HHS Report Shows Increases in Life Expectancy, Incidence of Diabetes | CDC, AAFP to Work Together on Immunization Project | AHRQ Releases Pocket Guides for Health Care Consumers | ‘Physicians with Heart...
Sarah Evans, Heather McNeill
No smoking? No problem! Creating a smoke-free area in bars and restaurants does not result in loss of income, and customers consider it a health-protective measure, according to a survey conducted in five European countries and reported in BMJ. Coordinated by Belgium's...
KATHLEEN E. SULLIVAN
In this issue of American Family Physician, Cooper and associates1 provide a timely review of the diagnostic considerations of common primary immunodeficiencies. This is an exciting time in the field of immunology. It is worth reflecting on a few recent advances and...
THOMAS L. SCHWENK
In its recent report on educating health professionals to keep the public healthy, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) produced a thorough and scholarly assessment of public health problems and proposed educational solutions.1 The following are paraphrased examples of some of the...
JAY SIWEK
Fifty years ago, Watson and Crick1 reported the double-helical structure of DNA that would eventually earn them the Nobel Prize. Given the far-reaching implications of their report, it was notable in its brevity—occupying a single page in Nature,1 and weighing in at only 903...
A cough, vomiting, and belly pain bring 80-year-old Mrs. Conte to the emergency room this morning. Mrs. Conte has advanced nonalcoholic cirrhosis and recurrent bouts of hepatic encephalopathy. As I examine her, I'm dazzled by her smile, which is warm, gentle, and sad. Today's...
SHARON SEE
Desloratadine is somewhat effective for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and may decrease nasal congestion. It also is effective for chronic urticaria. Desloratadine is similar in effectiveness to fexofenadine and would be expected to produce results similar to...
This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for high blood pressure and the supporting scientific evidence.1 It updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, second edition...
JAMES S. TAYLOR
Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.
MARK EBELL
MARK EBELL
HENRY BARRY
ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY
KARL E. MILLER
CAROLINE WELLBERY
CAROLINE WELLBERY
ANNE D. WALLING
ANNE D. WALLING
CHUCK CARTER
BILL ZEPF
CAROLINE WELLBERY
ANNE D. WALLING
ANNE D. WALLING
RICHARD SADOVSKY
CAROLINE WELLBERY
RICHARD SADOVSKY
KARL E. MILLER
SUMI M. SEXTON
Genevieve W. Ressel
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently published a clinical management guideline on cervical cytology screening. In the United States, cervical cancer remains the third most common gynecologic malignancy.
Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey
AAP Guidelines on Taking Medication in School | AHRQ Report on Sudden Cardiac Death | Adverse Events After Smallpox Vaccination | CDC Web Site on Diethylstilbestrol
JAMES BRADLEY SUMMERS, JOSEPH KAMINSKI
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac, like a tiny balloon, inside the breast. Breast cysts are common in women. They can cause a little pain, but they are usually benign (not cancer).
A primary immunodeficiency is a genetic problem with the immune system. The immune system protects the body against infection—and fights infection when it happens.
An ulcer is an opening in the lining of the stomach or in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Ulcers cause a gnawing or burning pain in the stomach. However, most people who have stomach pain do not have an ulcer. Your doctor can do tests to decide if your...
Despite its name, heartburn does not affect the heart. Heartburn is a burning feeling in the lower chest, along with a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth. Heartburn also is called acid reflux disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). You might get...
Dyspepsia (say this: dis-pep-see-ah) is a burning pain or uncomfortable feeling in the upper middle part of your stomach. The pain might come and go, but usually it is there most of the time. Some people also feel bloated (a full feeling in their stomach), have heartburn,...
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