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Articles

Pertussis: A Disease Affecting All Ages

DAVID S. GREGORY

Incomplete immunization and declining immunity after pertussis vaccination have contributed to a significant increase in adolescent and adult pertussis and com plications in infants. Patients with suspected pertussis should undergo laboratory testing to confirm the diagnosis,...

Carcinoid Tumors

RUSSELL G. ROBERTSON, WILLIAM J. GEIGER, NANCY B. DAVIS

These rare, slow-growing tumors of the neuroendocrine system are becoming more common. Family physicians should know the signs and symptoms of carcinoid tumors and carcinoid syndrome.

Exercise and Older Patients: Prescribing Guidelines

ANN YELMOKAS MCDERMOTT, HEATHER MERNITZ

With a basic knowledge of exercise guidelines and counseling strategies, physicians can promote the lifestyle changes that are essential for healthy aging.

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

CHRISTOPHER H. WARNER, WILLIAM BOBO, CAROLYNN WARNER, SARA REID, JAMES RACHAL

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome becomes more likely the longer a patient has taken antidepressant medication. Symptoms usually are mild and short-lived and are rapidly extinguished with reinstitution of antidepressant medication.

Inside AFP

AFP Departments Provide Range of Clinical Information

MATTHEW J. NEFF

In addition to review articles, each issue of AFP includes departments that provide readers with clinical information, evidence-based tools for decision making, opportunities to obtain continuing medical education (CME) credit, and forums to voice their opinions. These...

Newsletter

Newsletter

LIZ SMITH

CMS to Offer Beneficiaries Health Savings Account Plan Option | AAFP Objects to Proposed Medicare Hospital Discharge Procedure | HHS Collaboration Aims to Improve Health of Older Americans | AHRQ Provides State Leaders with Asthma Care Resource Guide | Study Finds Increased...

Quantum Sufficit

Quantum Sufficit

SHERRI DAMLO

Judging a book by its cover may be exactly what women do when choosing a mate. A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences suggests that women can detect a man's testosterone level and his fondness for children through his facial cues. The...

Editorials

Preventing Pertussis in Infants by Vaccinating Adults

REGINALD FINGER, JERAD SHOEMAKER

In this issue of American Family Physician, Gregory1 gives an excellent up-to-date summary of the epidemiology, natural history, clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis, and guidelines for treatment of pertussis.1 For more than a decade, this bacterial respiratory disease...

Cochrane for Clinicians

Diuretics for Treatment of Patients with Heart Failure?

WILLIAM E. CAYLEY, JR.

Compared with other active medications, diuretics can improve exercise capacity in patients with heart failure by about 30 percent. Withdrawal of diuretic therapy from patients with heart failure may increase the risk of hospital readmission or death. About eight deaths are...

Laxatives for Hemorrhoids?

JANELLE GUIRGUIS-BLAKE

Fiber has a consistent beneficial effect in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids for up to three months' follow-up as measured by overall symptoms and bleeding.

Are Atypical Antipsychotics Safe in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease?

SARAH S. JONES

Although the atypical antipsychotic medications risperidone (Risperdal) and olanzapine (Zyprexa) are modestly efficacious in reducing aggression, routine use is not justified. Both drugs are associated with serious adverse cerebrovascular events and extrapyramidal symptoms....

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Screening for Iron Deficiency Anemia, Including Iron Supplementations for Children and Pregnant Women: Recommendation Statement

This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for iron deficiency anemia and the supporting scientific evidence.

Clinical Evidence Handbook

Heart failure

ROBERT MCKELVIE

What are the effects of nondrug, drug and invasive treatments? What are the effects of ACE inhibitors in persons at high risk of heart failure?

Photo Quiz

Acute Chest Pain in an Adolescent

JOHN YOKITIS, RICHARD REPETA

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

FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

Treatments for Chronic Prostatitis

JAMES MEZA, SHAH ALAM, SANDRA MARTIN

Because the etiology of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is unknown, a variety of treatments have been proposed. The best-designed, largest clinical trials have not found the most commonly used therapies (i.e., alpha blockers, quinolone antibiotics, non-steroidal anti...

Curbside Consultation

Usefulness of Online Medical Information

BRIAN S. ALPER

Patients are not trained to diagnose illnesses across a wide spectrum of diseases and are not familiar with presentations that physicians are trained to detect. However, patients are highly motivated to determine their diagnoses, are more intimately familiar with their own...

POEMs

Omega-3 Fats Do Not Affect Mortality Rates

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

Dental Restoration with Amalgam Safe in Children

HENRY BARRY

Mammography Results in Overdiagnosis of Breast Cancers

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

Practice Guidelines

ACOG releases Guidelines for Management of endometrial Cancer

SHERRI DAMLO

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released evidence-based guidelines for the management of endometrial cancer. Endometrial carcinoma is a common gynecologic malignancy that many physicians encounter.

Practice Guideline Briefs

ACIP Recommends HPV Vaccination, Second Dose of Varicella Vaccine

CARRIE ARMSTRONG

Girls 11 to 12 years of age should be routinely vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), according to new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The committee noted that the HPV...

Letters to the Editor

Lidocaine Patch for Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia?

BRIAN S. ALPER, PETER R. LEWIS

Tips from Other Journals

Regular Exercise Reduces Dementia Risk

KENNETH W. LIN

Beta Blockers as First-line Therapy for Hypertension?

ANNE D. WALLING

Noncaloric Drinks Promote Weight Loss in Adolescents

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Information from Your Family Doctor

Whooping Cough: What You Should Know

Whooping cough can make you cough for several minutes at a time. After you cough, you might make a “whooping” sound when you breathe in. You might vomit or stop breathing for a few seconds after coughing. Whooping cough also is called pertussis.

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome: What You Should Know

If you suddenly stop taking your antidepressant medicine, you may feel like you have the flu. You also might have trouble sleeping, have an upset stomach, have shock-like sensations in the arms and hands, feel dizzy, or feel nervous. This is called antidepressant...



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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