Over-the-Counter Medications in Pregnancy

RONALD A. BLACK, D. ASHLEY HILL

Because some over-the-counter medications used during pregnancy may adversely affect the developing fetus, physicians should educate pregnant women on the safety and efficacy of various drugs and health products.

Diagnosis and Management of Acute Interstitial Nephritis

CHARLES M. KODNER, ARCHANA KUDRIMOTI

Acute interstitial nephritis should be considered early in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure. It can be caused by medications, infections, and other clinical syndromes.

Stinging Insect Allergy

DAVID B. K. GOLDEN

Epinephrine remains the treatment of choice for acute anaphylaxis subsequent to an insect sting. Because of demonstrated efficacy, venom immunotherapy is recommended for use in patients who are at risk for severe systemic reactions to future insect stings.

The Abnormal Fontanel

JOSEPH KIESLER, RICK RICER

The appearance of a newborn's fontanels is an indicator of overall health, with the normal fontanel varying widely in size and time of closure.

Splinter Removal

CHRISTINA CHAN, GOHAR A. SALAM

Patients frequently present to their family physicians to have painful and difficult-to-remove splinters extracted. This article discusses initial evaluation, removal techniques, and follow-up care.

Evaluation and Treatment of Women with Hirsutism

MELISSA H. HUNTER, PETER J. CAREK

Although the causes of hirsutism are often not life-threatening, clinical evaluation is necessary to rule out more serious pathology. Treatment should include nonpharmacologic as well as pharmacologic therapies.

AFP Welcomes a Second Sister Journal: Annals of Family Medicine

Janis Wright

The editors of AFP have had the pleasure of observing the births of two sister publications: Family Practice Management, whose first issue was delivered almost 10 years ago in the fall of 1993, and now Annals of Family Medicine, whose first issue just crossed our desks this...

Quantum Sufficit

Sarah Evans, Heather McNeill, Shab Vakil

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) may benefit women's voices, according to a small study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Researchers compared the voice stability (frequency and amplitude variations) of six OCP users and six non-OCP users and found that the women who...

Newsletter

Matthew Neff

Web Sites Expand Health Information for Asian and Pacific Americans | Consensus Report Identifies 30 Patient Safety Practices for Health Care Settings | Sexual Issues Are Top Health Concern for American Adolescents and Young Adults | Report Shows That 25 Percent of American...

Information on Medication Use in Pregnancy

KATHLEEN UHL, DIANNE L. KENNEDY, SANDRA L. KWEDER

In this issue of American Family Physician, Black and Hill1 review the safety profiles of many over-the-counter (OTC) medications in pregnancy. This is important considering the approximately 6 million pregnancies that occur in the United States annually,2 and it is not...

Diary from a Week in Practice

“Thank goodness that horrible crawling sensation in my legs has gone away completely,” reported the 66-year-old woman. She had been hospitalized a month earlier with microcytic anemia, which ultimately was diagnosed as chronic gastritis secondary to nonsteroidal anti...

Behavioral Counseling in Primary Care to Promote a Healthy Diet: Recommendations and Rationale

This statement summarizes the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on counseling to promote a healthy diet in primary care patients and the supporting scientific evidence, and it updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to...

Cardiac Resynchronization Reduces Mortality from CHF

DAVID SLAWSON

Topiramate for Obesity-Related Binge Eating Disorder

DAVID SLAWSON

Topical NSAIDs of Little Benefit for Corneal Abrasion

ALLEN SHAUGHNESSY

Uterine Fibroids Are Common in Middle-Aged Women

LINDA FRENCH

Alternative Antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infections

BILL ZEPF

Dual Therapy for the Prevention of Alcoholism

KARL E. MILLER

Severe Perineal Laceration During Vaginal Delivery

KARL E. MILLER

Relationship Between Chronic Pain and Major Depression

KARL E. MILLER

Emergent Neuroimaging for New-Onset Afebrile Seizures

CAROLINE WELLBERY

BNP as a Screen for Heart Failure in the General Public?

KARL E. MILLER

Is Arthroscopic Debridement Helpful in Knee Osteoarthritis?

RICHARD SADOVSKY

Oral or IV Rehydration in Children with Gastroenteritis

KARL E. MILLER

Prophylaxis Against Contrast-Mediated Renal Toxicity

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Is Early Cannabis Use a Risk Factor for Later Drug Abuse?

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Estrogen Does Not Benefit Women Who Survive MI

ANNE D. WALLING

Ultrasonography in Screening for Congenital Hip Dysplasia

ANNE D. WALLING

Microbiologic Testing in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia

KARL E. MILLER

Use of an ACE Inhibitor for Migraine Prophylaxis

CAROLINE WELLBERY

CDC Updates Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Infections with Hepatitis Viruses in Correctional Settings

Matthew J. Neff

The National Center for Infectious Diseases recently issued consolidated and updated guidelines for the prevention and control of infections with hepatitis viruses in juvenile and adult correctional settings.

Clinical Briefs

Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey

AHRQ Report on Allergic Rhinitis | AAP Statement on Home Apnea Monitors | AHRQ Report on Ineffective Treatment of Bronchiolitis | FDA Approvals

Severe Hyponatremia as a Result of Thiazide Diuretic

SAMANTHA NEWBOULD

Alternative Diagnoses That Often Mimic Cellulitis

MATTHEW J. HEPBURN, DAVID P. DOOLEY, MICHAEL W. ELLIS

Kidney Failure

The kidneys are a pair of organs located just behind the stomach. They filter bacteria and extra salt and water from the body. The kidneys stop working when illness or injury keeps them from filtering properly. In kidney failure, these bacteria and salts build up and can have...