• Articles

    Overview of Changes to Asthma Guidelines: Diagnosis and Screening

    SUSAN M. POLLART, KURTIS S. ELWARD

    The most recent guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program focus on assessing asthma severity at the initial evaluation, and asthma control at all subsequent visits. Severity and level of control are defined by current impairment and future risk.

    Zinc: An Essential Micronutrient

    ROBERT B. SAPER, REBECCA RASH

    CAM Zinc supplementation may be effective for the treatment of diseases that cause zinc deficiency, the management of Wilson disease, and the prevention of upper respiratory infection and childhood diarrhea in developing countries. Zinc may also help slow the progression of...

    Cardiomyopathy: An Overview

    RANDY WEXLER, TERRY ELTON, ADAM PLEISTER, DAVID FELDMAN

    The four major types of cardiomyopathy are dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular. Symptoms are similar to those of heart failure. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, implantable cardioverterdefibrillators, cardiac...

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Practical Assessment and Management

    MICHAEL G. KAVAN, GARY N. ELSASSER, EUGENE J. BARONE

    Patients with generalized anxiety disorder tend to worry constantly and have excessive anxiety. Treatment includes cognitive behavior therapy and medication. Helping patients understand that anxiety is a manageable medical condition is essential.

    Editorials

    The New Asthma Guidelines

    BARBARA YAWN

    In this issue of American Family Physician, Pollart and Elward present a review of the new 2007 asthma guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.1,2 As a member of the panel that developed these guidelines, here is what I consider to be their highlights....

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    NACHC Finds Steep Increase in Number of Patients Without Access to Primary Care | Study Shows Patients Who See Family Physicians Receive Cost-Effective Care | Retail Health Clinic Chain Offers Free Acute Care Services to Newly Unemployed | Health Insurer Implements New Fee...

    Curbside Consultation

    Nonmalignant Chronic Pain: Taking the Time to Treat

    MATTHEW HOLLON

    Nonmalignant chronic pain is a common, yet challenging, health problem.1 Numerous factors over the past decade have put primary care physicians in a central role in the management of this pain.

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Antibiotics for Acute Maxillary Sinusitis

    JUSTIN BAILEY, JENNIFER CHANG

    Although there is some evidence that antibiotics are effective in the treatment of acute uncomplicated sinusitis, this benefit is modest. Most patients with acute sinusitis improve within two weeks without antibiotics. The potential risk of adverse effects from antibiotics...

    Custom vs. Prefabricated Orthoses for Foot Pain

    CLARISSA KRIPKE

    Compared with placebo or sham, custom-made foot orthoses modestly reduce foot pain from pes cavus (high arch), arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and painful hallux valgus. However, there is no evidence that custom orthoses are more effective than prefabricated ones.

    Photo Quiz

    Nerve Damage from Soft Tissue Injury to the Forearm

    IRENE M. ROSEN, MICHAEL J. KOZNARSKY

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

    Practice Guidelines

    ACP Releases Guideline on Treatment of Low Bone Mineral Density or Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures

    LISA GRAHAM

    The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently released guidelines on treatment of low bone mineral density (BMD) or osteoporosis to prevent fractures describes the available evidence on pharmacologic treatment in men and women.

    Tips from Other Journals

    Renal Dysfunction Markers and Cardiovascular Risk

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Do Diabetic Complications or Insulin Use Increase Fall Risk?

    AMY CRAWFORD-FAUCHER

    Which Patients with Rhinosinusitis Could Benefit from Antibiotics?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Exercise Improves Cognitive Function in Older Persons

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Recommended Treatments for Community-Acquired MRSA Infections

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Predicting Asthma in Children with Wheezing

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Combination Therapy More Effective for Anxiety Disorders in Children

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Cardiomyopathy: What You Should Know

    Cardiomyopathy (CAR-dee-oh-my-AH-puh-thee) is a condition that affects your heart. It can have many causes. It may be caused by coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), high blood pressure, infections, certain medicines, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or drinking too much...

    How to Breathe Easier If You Have Asthma

    Asthma (AZ-muh) is a long-term lung disease that causes your breathing tubes to narrow. Many things can cause an asthma attack, including allergies, infections, and weather changes. Asthma causes wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of...

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder

    It is normal to feel nervous and to worry from time to time. But, if your worrying occurs daily, is hard to control, and leads to other symptoms, you may have generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Some people may also have headaches, back pain, sweating, nausea, and stomach...



    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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