Leave a Message
Articles

Cirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure: Part I. Diagnosis and Evaluation

JOEL J. HEIDELBAUGH, MICHAEL BRUDERLY

Most patients with cirrhosis remain asymptomatic until the occurrence of decompensation, characterized by ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding from portal hypertension. Liver biopsy should be considered only after serologic...

Cirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure: Part II. Complications and Treatment

JOEL J. HEIDELBAUGH, MARYANN SHERBONDY

Major complications of cirrhosis include ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, portal hypertension, and variceal bleeding. Therapy includes sodium restriction, diuretics, and abstention from alcohol, with empiric prophylaxis against spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and variceal...

Avian Influenza: Preparing for a Pandemic

GREGORY JUCKETT

Although avian influenza A (H5N1) is not yet capable of efficient human-to-human transmission, it could become the source of the next human influenza pandemic. Pandemic preparedness involves increasing global influenza surveillance and developing strategies for containing...

Promoting Medication Adherence in Children

PAULA GARDINER, LANA DVORKIN

Ensuring adherence to a medication regimen is difficult, especially when the patients are children. Simple strategies can be used by family physicians and parents to encourage adherence in young and school-age children and in teenagers.

Inside AFP

AFP Editors Welcome Readers at AAFP Annual Assembly

MATTHEW J. NEFF

The Annual Scientific Assembly of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is again upon us. This year’s Assembly begins September 25 and continues through October 1 in Washington, D.C., and will offer several thousand family physicians, residents, and students the...

Newsletter

Newsletter

LIZ SMITH

Senators Contest Proposed Five-Year Medicaid Cuts of $12.2 Billion | CMS Proposes Policy, Payment Changes for Physicians’ Services in 2007 | House Reviews Bill Proposing Medicare Physician Payment Reform | Labor-HHS Bill Includes $50 Million in Funds for Primary Care Training...

Quantum Sufficit

Quantum Sufficit

SHERRI DAMLO

Will the early bird remember to get the worm? A study that appears in Current Biology suggests that getting enough sleep may be crucial to memory, and persons who do not sleep enough each night are apt to forget learned facts. Forty-eight participants were assigned to one of...

Editorials

Keeping Up to Date on Avian Influenza

LARA M. JOHNSON

In this issue of American Family Physician, Juckett provides an excellent review of the background, history, and clinical presentation of avian influenza.1 He also gives practical tips for preparing for a potential pandemic. With surveillance measures currently in place...

Cochrane for Clinicians

Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s Disease

NATHAN HITZEMAN

A 72-year-old woman is brought into the office by her daughter, who complains that her mother has become increasingly forgetful over the past two years. On a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) she scores 20 out of 30 points, and after an appropriate evaluation you diagnose...

Cochrane Briefs

MARK H. EBELL

Antibiotics for Exacerbations of COPD

Cochrane Briefs

MARK H. EBELL

Antioxidants and Minerals for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Clinical Evidence Handbook

Acute Low Back Pain

BART KOES, MAURITS VAN TULDER

What are the effects of oral drug and nondrug treatments? What are the effects of local injections?

Photo Quiz

Asymptomatic Yellowish Papules

JEFF BIDINGER, ROBERT GILSON

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

POEMs

Clonidine and Gabapentin Effective for Hot Flashes

DAVID SLAWSON

Praying for Others Does Not Prevent Surgical Complications

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

Early Initiation of Statins Does Not Improve ACS Outcomes

DAVID SLAWSON, SHAHRZAD SARIRIAN

Self-help Book Reduces Visits for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

MARK EBELL

Noninvasive Carotid Imaging Can Replace Invasive Imaging

HENRY BARRY

Naltrexone and Counseling Reduce Alcohol Dependence

DAVID SLAWSON

Ondansetron Effective for Gastroenteritis with Vomiting

MARK EBELL

Light Therapy vs. Fluoxetine for Treatment of SAD

DAVID SLAWSON, UZMA ALI

ACE Inhibitors Effective in Patients with CAD Without Heart Failure

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

Prednisolone Effective for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

MARK EBELL

Curbside Consultation

Obesity: Psychological and Behavioral Considerations

ADAM GILDEN TSAI, ANTHONY N. FABRICATORE

Assuming that medical causes of weight gain (e.g., hypothyroidism, hypercortisolism) have been ruled out, the physician should consider social, psychological, and environmental factors that may explain the patient’s weight gain and his apparent indifference.

Practice Guidelines

ADA Releases Standards of Medical Care for Patients with Diabetes

CARRIE ARMSTRONG

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has published a position statement containing evidence-based recommendations for diabetes care, treatment goals, and tools to evaluate the quality of care.

Practice Guideline Briefs

Practice Guideline Briefs

LISA GRAHAM

AGA Releases Position Statement on Management of Hepatitis C

Practice Guideline Briefs

LISA GRAHAM

CDC Releases Report on Early- and Late-Onset Neonatal GBS Infection

Letters to the Editor

Defining and Treating Constipation in Older Adults

Tips from Other Journals

Vitamin Supplements Do Not Prevent Preeclampsia

ANNE D. WALLING

Does Inhaled Steroid Therapy Benefit Patients with COPD?

KENNETH W. LIN

HPV Vaccine Shows Promise, at Least in Short Term

ANNE D. WALLING

Effect of Allergic Rhinitis Treatment on Asthma Control

KARL E. MILLER

Lifestyle Modifications Help Lower Blood Pressure

KENNETH W. LIN

Activity Restriction After Pelvic Floor Surgery?

ANNE D. WALLING

Does Prostate Cancer Screening Reduce Mortality Rates?

KARL E. MILLER

Should Pacifier Use in Infants Be Discouraged?

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Early vs. Late Epidural Impact on Risk of Cesarean Delivery

KARL E. MILLER

Television and Sexual Initiation Among Adolescents

KARL E. MILLER

Vaccine May Protect Against Childhood Otitis Media

ANNE D. WALLING

Yield of CT Scans in Absence of Neurologic Deficits Is Low

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Physical Activity and Life Expectancy with CVD

KARL E. MILLER

Surgical vs. Nonsurgical Treatment of Obesity

KENNETH W. LIN

Metformin Useful for Treating PCOS in Adolescents

KARL E. MILLER

Information from Your Family Doctor

Cirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure: What You Should Know

Cirrhosis (say: sih-ROH-sis) is a disease of the liver. Normally, your liver does many things. It helps your body digest fat and break down cholesterol, gets rid of poisons like alcohol and drugs, and stores energy. It also helps your body form blood clots and scabs if you...

Getting Your Child to Take Medicine

There are many things you can do to make medicines taste better to your child. Put liquid medicines in the refrigerator before giving them to your child. If your child will not take a medicine because of the taste, it may be okay to mix the medicine with a small amount of...

Melanoma: A Type of Skin Cancer

The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow, divide, and die. Sometimes cells begin to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells. Rather than dying, these cells clump together to form tumors. If these tumors are cancerous, they can kill your body’s...

Saving Your Skin from Sun Damage

The sun’s rays, which are called ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays (UVA and UVB rays), damage your skin. This leads to early wrinkles, skin cancer, and other skin problems.

Checking Yourself for Signs of Skin Cancer

It’s a good idea to check your skin each month for signs of skin cancer. The sooner skin cancer is found, the greater the chance that it can be cured.



Disclosure

All editors in a position to control content for this activity, AFP journal, are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships. View disclosures.


Tag Legend

Legend

CME Continuing Medical Education Credit
POC Point-of-Care Resource
FREE Free Access
Alg Algorithm
DDx Differential Diagnosis
PtEd Patient Education