• Articles

    Management of Acute Asthma Exacerbations

    SUSAN M. POLLART, REBEKAH M. COMPTON, KURTIS S. ELWARD

    Mild asthma exacerbations may be managed in the home with inhaled, short-acting beta2 agonists. Treatment of severe exacerbations in the emergency department requires oxygen administration, short-acting beta2 agonists, and systemic corticosteroids. Peak expiratory flow...

    Diagnosis and Treatment of Lichen Planus

    RICHARD P. USATINE, MICHELLE TINITIGAN

    Lichen planus is a chronic disease affecting the skin, oral mucosa, genital mucosa, scalp, and nails. Classic cases can be diagnosed clinically, although biopsy may be helpful and is required in atypical cases. Topical corticosteroids are first-line treatments. Systemic...

    Outpatient Approach to Palpitations

    RANDELL K. WEXLER, ADAM PLEISTER, SUBHA RAMAN

    Most palpitations are of cardiac origin, and discerning cardiac from noncardiac causes is important given the potential risk of sudden death in those with an underlying cardiac etiology. History and physical examination followed by targeted diagnostic testing are necessary to...

    Office Management of Early Pregnancy Loss

    LINDA W. PRINE, HONOR MACNAUGHTON

    After the diagnosis of early pregnancy loss is confirmed, patients should be offered the choice of expectant management, medical management with misoprostol, or uterine aspiration. All three treatment options are safe, but effectiveness of expectant versus medical management...

    FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

    Hormone Therapy for Postmenopausal Women with Urinary Incontinence

    JAY H. LEE, SUZANNE GOMEZ, TERRY ANN JANKOWSKI

    Postmenopausal women should not receive oral hormone therapy for treatment of urinary incontinence.

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP, Others Criticize Bill That Interferes with Physician-Patient Relationship | AAFP Speaks Out Against Bill Aimed at Defunding Teaching Health Centers | AAFP, Others Praise Macy Foundation's Call to Action on Changing GME System | AAFP Calls for Changes in ACO Antitrust...

    Editorials

    Bioterrorism and the Vital Role of Family Physicians

    MARK D. HARRIS, KEVIN YESKEY

    Family physicians and other primary care physicians have a vital role in protecting our patients and our nation against bioterrorism. Passive surveillance is the early warning system for naturally occurring outbreaks, and for bioterrorism events. An astute physician who...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Probiotics for Persistent Diarrhea in Children

    NATHAN HITZEMAN, CECILIA ROMO

    Limited data suggest that probiotic use decreases duration and frequency of loose stools, and reduces length of hospital stay in children with persistent diarrhea. One high-quality study showed Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG to be effective. Probiotics are generally well tolerated.

    Instruments for Assisted Vaginal Delivery

    CLARISSA KRIPKE

    Use of forceps is more likely to result in a vaginal delivery than use of vacuum devices (relative risk [RR] = 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 2.2), but has a higher rate of perineal trauma, tears, pain, and incontinence, and a trend toward more cesarean deliveries....

    Photo Quiz

    Calcifications in the Upper Abdomen

    JOHN R. McCONAGHY, RAMANA REDDY KANKANKALA

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

    Curbside Consultation

    Should I Be “Friends” with My Patients on Social Networking Web Sites?

    KATHERINE CHANG CHRETIEN

    I'm no stranger to social media. In addition to writing content for my practice's Web site and Twitter account, I often post comments on discussion Web sites for physicians. It probably shouldn't have come as a surprise to me when my patients started sending me friend...

    Practice Guidelines

    CDC Updates Guidelines on Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

    CARRIE ARMSTRONG

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidelines on the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The new guidelines focus on treatment, but also discuss prevention strategies and diagnostic recommendations.

    Letters to the Editor

    Responses to Article Regarding Contraception Choices in Women

    Tips from Other Journals

    Is Compression-Only CPR More Effective Than Standard CPR?

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    How to Treat an Asthma Attack

    An asthma attack, or flare-up, is when your asthma symptoms suddenly get worse.

    Common Treatments for Miscarriage

    A miscarriage is something that happens when a pregnancy stops growing. It is sometimes found when women have bleeding in early pregnancy, or it may be found during routine tests.



    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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