• Articles

    Medications for COPD: A Review of Effectiveness

    GIL C. GRIMES, JOHN L. MANNING, PARITA PATEL, R. MARC VIA

    There are multiple individual and combined treatment regimens for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with options including anticholinergics, beta2 agonists, smoking cessation, and steroids. All patients benefit from short-acting bronchodilators as needed; use of other...

    Outpatient Care of the Premature Infant

    AMY LaHOOD, CATHY A. BRYANT

    Infants born prematurely are at increased risk of growth problems, developmental delays, and complex medical illnesses. Each well-child examination should include developmental surveillance, and in most cases, routine vaccination should proceed according to chronologic age.

    Methamphetamine Abuse

    BRADFORD T. WINSLOW, KENTON I. VOORHEES, KATHERINE A. PEHL

    Adverse effects of methamphetamine use may include myocardial infarction, stroke, and seizures; chronic use is associated with neurologic and psychiatric symptoms, and use while pregnant can cause placental abruption or preterm birth. Treatment of acute intoxication is...

    Pharmacogenetics: Using DNA to Optimize Drug Therapy

    DAVID E. LANFEAR, HOWARD L. MCLEOD

    Pharmacogenetics is a growing field of research that focuses on the interaction between genetics and drug treatment. As advances in technology allow for faster and more affordable gene analysis, defining drug response phenotypes in well-powered trials will be important for...

    Foreign Bodies in the Ear, Nose, and Throat

    STEVEN W. HEIM, KAREN L. MAUGHAN

    Most ear and nose foreign bodies can be removed in the physician's office using forceps, irrigation, or suction. Removal of throat foreign bodies more commonly requires referral to a subspecialist or surgery.

    Inside AFP

    AFP Editors Gather to Plan for the Future

    JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

    The AFP medical and professional editors and staff held their annual meeting in early September at the Academy headquarters in Leawood, Kan. The agenda for this meeting is always packed with discussion and action items aimed at reviewing AFP's preceding year and planning for...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Conferees Support Senate's SCHIP Bill: Physician Payment to Be Tackled Later | Study Finds Medicare Part D Reduced Numbers of Seniors Without Coverage | Match Analysis Supports Increasing Funding for Public Medical Schools | MinuteClinic Waiver Request Prompts Proposed...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    SHERRI DAMLO

    Study results presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society suggest that it is possible to perform a “community urinalysis” to test for widespread prescription and illicit drug use. Researchers from Oregon State University tested the wastewater from 10 U.S. cities...

    Editorials

    New Guidelines on DVT and Pulmonary Embolism

    DOUGLAS CAMPOS-OUTCALT

    A summary of new guidelines on the diagnosis and management of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism appears in the Practice Guidelines section of this issue of American Family Physician.1 These recommendations have been formulated by a panel with...

    Internet Gaming: A Hidden Addiction

    ANNA L. MEENAN

    Here is a scenario you may have seen in your office: a teenager or young adult, usually male, who is suddenly failing at life. He may be having anger problems, personality changes, and sleep or appetite changes. He may have gotten good grades in school and is now failing all...

    Close-ups

    Moving On

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.

    Point-of-Care Guides

    Predicting the Likelihood of Successful Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery

    MARK H. EBELL

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend that pregnant women with a single previous cesarean delivery and a low-transverse incision be offered a trial of labor.

    Photo Quiz

    Torticollis in an Infant

    ALEKSANDRA MIKOV

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

    STEPS

    Aliskiren (Tekturna) for the Treatment of Hypertension

    ALLISON BERNKNOPF

    Aliskiren provides a new pharmacologic approach to treating hypertension; however, short-term studies have not identified a unique role. It is more expensive than commonly used first-line diuretics, and long-term safety has not been demonstrated.

    Tips from Other Journals

    Alcohol Consumption and CVD Risk in Men with Hypertension

    KENNY LIN

    Is Depression Treatment Effective in Patients with CAD?

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Primary Cesarean Delivery Increases Risks in Next Pregnancy

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Benefits of Exercise Regimen Are Limited in Older Adults

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Impact of Chronic Cough on Patients' Quality of Life

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Group Exercise Program Beneficial for Patients with Breast Cancer

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Patient Adherence to Warfarin and Anticoagulation Control

    KARL E. MILLER

    Do Steroids and Beta Agonists Reduce Mortality with COPD?

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Detection of Vaginal Yeast Using a Rapid Test

    KARL E. MILLER

    Practice Guidelines

    AAFP and ACP Publish Recommendations on Diagnosis and Management of VTE

    SHERRI DAMLO

    Recommendations on diagnosis and management of venous throm-boembolism (VTE) have been published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the American College of Physicians (ACP).

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    SHERRI DAMLO

    ACOG Publishes Guidelines on Hemoglobinopathies in Pregnancy

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    SHERRI DAMLO

    AAP Releases Guidelines on Treatment of Anaphylaxis

    Letters to the Editor

    Lifestyle Modifications, Tubal Flushing to Increase Fertility

    DOLAPO BABALOLA

    The Role of Vitamin C in the Treatment of the Common Cold

    HARRI HEMILÄ

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    COPD: What You Should Know

    Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a lung disease that makes it hard for you to breathe. Over time, your lungs become irritated or damaged. Mucus may block the airways. This makes it hard for air to get through. The air sacs in the lungs may become stiff and...

    Caring for Your Premature Baby

    Your baby is premature if he or she is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy or more than three weeks before he or she is due.

    Meth Abuse: What You Should Know

    Methamphetamine (meth-am-FET-ah-meen), or meth, is an addictive drug. In small amounts, it can be given by doctors to treat some illnesses, but it is often sold by people illegally in very dangerous forms.



    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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