• Articles

    Common Pigmentation Disorders

    SCOTT PLENSDORF, JOY MARTINEZ

    Disorders of skin pigmentation commonly seen by family physicians include postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, solar lentigines, ephelides, caféaulait macules, and vitiligo. Treatment varies by disorder, but may include topical agents, cryotherapy, laser therapy,...

    Fetal Chromosomal Abnormalities: Antenatal Screening and Diagnosis

    CYNTHIA L. ANDERSON, CHARLES E. L. BROWN

    Antenatal screening and diagnostic testing for chromosomal abnormalities should be offered to all pregnant women before 20 weeks’ gestation. First-trimester options include chorionic villus sampling and nuchal translucency testing. Second-trimester options include quadruple...

    Nonpharmacologic Management of Chronic Insomnia

    PARUL HARSORA, JENNIFER KESSMANN

    Chronic insomnia may be primary or secondary to another condition. Nonpharmacologic treatment involves cognitive behavior therapies, such as sleep hygiene education and relaxation techniques.

    Choosing Topical Corticosteroids

    JONATHAN D. FERENCE, ALLEN R. LAST

    Topical corticosteroids are effective for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema, atopic dermatitis, and lichen sclerosus. Physicians should consider the delivery vehicle, potency, frequency of application, and potential side effects before prescribing...

    Editorials

    Severe Occupational Lung Disease from Exposure to Flavoring Chemicals

    RICHARD KANWAL

    When it comes to occupational lung disease, most physicians are familiar with well-known risks such as long-term exposure to asbestos or coal dust. However, occupational exposures may be responsible for approximately 15 percent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    MedPAC Considers Recommending Physician Payment Increase for 2010 | Physician Organizations Urge CMS to Fix Problems with Medicare’s PQRI Program | AHRQ Study Shows That E-Prescribing Systems May Lead to Savings in Drug Costs | HHS Secretary Releases New Principles and...

    Graham Center Policy One-Pager

    Having a Usual Source of Care Reduces ED Visits

    STEPHEN M. PETTERSON, DAVID RABIN, ROBERT L. PHILLIPS, JR, ANDREW W. BAZEMORE, MARTEY S. DODOO

    The recent growth in the use of emergency departments (EDs) is costly, undesirable, and unnecessary. This trend is partly due to a growing proportion of persons who lack a usual source of care. This group is increasingly likely to rely on EDs for their health care needs...

    Putting Prevention Into Practice

    Screening for Carotid Artery Stenosis

    TRACY WOLFF

    Case study: K.A. is a 63-year-old man who presents for a routine wellness examination. His blood pressure and cholesterol level are within normal limits, and he has no history of tobacco use or heart disease.

    STEPS

    Tinidazole (Tindamax) for Trichomoniasis and Bacterial Vaginosis

    GRETCHEN L. JOHNSON

    Tinidazole is generally an expensive alternative to metronidazole for the treatment of trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis. It offers little, if any, advantage with regard to safety, tolerability, and effectiveness; however, its once-daily dosing and shorter course of...

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    GERD in Adults

    BRENDAN DELANEY, PAUL MOAYYEDI

    What are the effects of initial and maintenance treatment of GERD associated with esophagitis?

    Practice Guidelines

    ACIP Releases 2009 Adult Immunization Schedule

    JONATHAN L. TEMTE

    The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the 2009 recommended adult immunization schedule.

    Letters to the Editor

    Responses to AFP Journal Club on Hip Fracture and PPI Use

    PETER S. MILLARD

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests

    They are tests to see if your baby is at risk of a genetic disorder, such as Down syndrome. Genetic disorders happen when your baby does not have the normal number of chromosomes, which contain the baby’s genes, or when there are problems with the brain or spine. Not all...

    Help with Chronic Insomnia

    Insomnia (in-SOHM-nee-uh) is when you have trouble sleeping. Chronic insomnia is when your sleeping problem lasts for four weeks or longer. This causes you to feel tired and have less energy. You may also worry about being able to sleep. Some people with insomnia fall asleep...



    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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