• Articles

    Diagnosing Secondary Hypertension

    EDWARD ONUSKO

    An “ABCDE” mnemonic can be useful in determining secondary causes of hypertension.

    Echinacea

    BENJAMIN KLIGLER

    Although there is a lack of evidence confirming its efficacy in the prevention of upper respiratory infections, echinacea is an extremely safe herbal medicine that may be an effective treatment.

    Tarsal Navicular Stress Fractures

    ERIC E. CORIS, JOHN A. LOMBARDO

    Stress fractures of the tarsal navicular bone are relatively common among running athletes. Early recognition and treatment are crucial in ensuring optimal outcomes.

    Perioperative Management of Diabetes

    JENNIFER B. MARKS

    Intravenous insulin infusions may offer several advantages over the traditional method of sliding-scale subcutaneous insulin administration in patients with diabetes who are undergoing surgery.

    Dermatophyte Infections

    BARRY L. HAINER

    Topical therapy is used for all dermatophyte infections except tinea capitis, tinea barbae, and onychomycosis.

    An Office-Based Approach to Influenza: Clinical Diagnosis and Laboratory Testing

    NORMAN J. MONTALTO

    Family physicians can improve diagnostic accuracy by being aware of the epidemiology of influenza. During outbreaks of influenza, commercially available rapid assays can be used to identify influenza A and B viral antigens.

    Inside AFP

    AFP Begins Updates on Complementary and Alternative Medicine

    Janis Wright

    On page 77 of this issue, you'll find the first in a new series of short updates on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in AFP. The lead article, “Echinacea,” by Benjamin Kligler, M.D., M.P.H., Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, N.Y., takes a look at the...

    Graham Center Policy One-Pager

    Family Physicians Increase Provision of Well-Infant Care Despite Decline in Prenatal Services

    Over the past 20 years, family physicians and general practitioners (FP/GPs) and pediatricians have upheld their commitment to preventive care for infants. Non-Metropolitan Statistical Areas (non-MSAs) depend on family physicians for almost one half of their well-infant care....

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Matthew Neff

    New Web-Based Journal Provides Discussions on Patient Safety Lessons | CDC Adds Two New Research Centers to Address Disease Prevention | HHS Announces New Initiative to Increase the Nation's Blood Supply | Robert Graham, M.D., Named Acting Deputy Director of the AHRQ | HRSA...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Sarah Evans, Heather Mcneill

    Oats: you gotta love 'em. Results of a randomized controlled parallel-group trial published in the Journal of Family Practice suggest that people with high blood pressure who regularly eat whole grain, oat-based cereal may reduce their need for antihypertensive medication....

    Editorials

    Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Examining the Evidence

    SUMI M. SEXTON

    The surge of interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) over the past decade is apparent from the increased use of these products by patients,1 the inception of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), and the increase in physician...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    We shouldn't treat children as if they were simply miniature adults, but there are occasions when such a perspective might assist in establishing a difficult diagnosis. Ten-year-old Emily sat quietly, without her usual smile. She was experiencing mid and lower back pain that...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Are Metered-Dose Inhalers with Holding Chambers Better Than Nebulizers for Treating Acute Asthma?

    JOHN EPLING, MIN HO CHANG

    In the emergency room, MDIs with holding chambers are as effective as nebulizers for delivering beta2 agonists to treat acute asthma in adults and children older than age two. There might be slightly less beta2 agonist–induced tachycardia in children when MDIs with holding...

    PUTTING PREVENTION INTO PRACTICE: AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH

    Colorectal Cancer Screening

    BHUPESH MANGLA, KENNETH FINK

    Case study: MB is a 51-year-old woman who visits you for a refill of her antihypertensive medication. Noticing that she has not been screened for colorectal cancer, you inquire about her family history and conduct a pertinent review of systems, both of which are unremarkable.

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder

    CHRISTOPHER K. GALE, MARK OAKLEY-BROWNE

    What are the effects of treatments?

    Photo Quiz

    Skin Rash in a Patient with Diabetes

    DIMITRIOS PAPAIOANNIDES, NICKOLAOS AKRITIDIS

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

    Tips from Other Journals

    Biventricular Pacing Improves End-Stage Heart Failure

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Pneumococcal Vaccine Helps Prevent Otitis Media

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    What Is the Best Treatment for Cutaneous Warts?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Effectiveness of School-Based Violence Prevention Programs

    KARL E. MILLER

    Neuroimaging in Adults with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    More Contact with Children Helps Prevent Shingles

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Does the Use of Epidural Analgesia Lead to Backache?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    The Top Three Causes of Chronic Cough

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Ginkgo Ineffective for Memory Enhancement

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Trained Athletes

    KARL E. MILLER

    Glycemia Testing to Diagnose Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    What Safety Information Do Gun Dealers Give Customers?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Small Lacerations of the Hand Heal Faster Without Suturing

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Nortriptyline Used as a Smoking Cessation Adjuvant

    KARL E. MILLER

    Empiric Care for Minimally Abnormal Pap Smears

    KARL E. MILLER

    Practice Guidelines

    Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, United States, 2003 and Update on Childhood Immunizations

    RICHARD K. ZIMMERMAN

    The 2003 Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule is now available, and includes a harmonized catch-up schedule for children who are behind in immunizations. The catch-up schedule offers specific guidance regarding the minimum time between doses as well as...

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey

    AAP Statement on Smallpox Vaccine | Surgeon General's Report on Health Trends | Medicare Regulation Changes for Influenza Vaccination | Report on Technology-Intensive Childbirth | FDA Approval

    Curbside Consultation

    Negotiating a Request for Nondisclosure

    SUSAN E.W. COCHELLA, M.D. DONALD M. PEDERSEN, null P.A.-C

    Although it is at odds with our predominant medical ethical culture, many families and patients desire nondisclosure of bad news. In several countries, including Greece, nondisclosure of difficult medical information is preferred.

    Letters to the Editor

    Why Is Aspirin a Contraindication for Trigger-Point Injections?

    BARRY D. WEISS

    How Effective Is Bracing for Treatment of Scoliosis?

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Echinacea: What Should I Know About It?

    Echinacea (say this: eck-in-ay-sha) is an herbal remedy that may help the body defend itself from the viruses that cause colds, sore throats, and the flu. Echinacea products can be found in most drug stores or health food stores.

    Choosing the Right Diet to Lose Weight

    Many diets can help you lose weight. However, “going on a diet” is not the best answer to losing weight. Usually you gain the weight back after you “go off” the diet. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to change much more than just what you eat. You have to...

    What It Takes to Lose Weight

    To lose weight, you have to cut down on the number of calories you consume and start burning more calories each day. The amount of energy in the food you eat is called calories. Some foods have more calories than others; for example, foods high in fat and sugar are also high...

    Healthy Food Choices for Losing Weight

    Eat healthy food for most days of the week. Try to limit fats, oils, sweets, salt, and alcoholic drinks. Some healthy food choices are listed below. Try to eat at least the number of servings per day listed for each food group. You can get variety by regularly eating...

    Corrections

    Corrections



    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