April 15, 1998

Hyperparathyroidism usually presents initially as an incidental finding of asymptomatic calcium elevation on a chemistry panel. Symptoms are vague, and parathyroidectomy is usually indicated.

Head and neck manifestations are among the most common complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and may be the initial signs of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus.

Most patients who undergo surgical treatment of lumbar spine stenosis have rapid clinical improvement and return to previous activity levels.

Physicians should screen pregnant patients for any contraindications to exercise and encourage them to avoid overly vigorous activities, especially in the third trimester. Adequate hydration and appropriate ventilation are important in preventing the possible teratogenic…

While basal cell carcinomas most commonly develop in sun-exposed areas of the body, they can also occur in generally photo-protected sites, such as the breast and groin areas. Thus, periodic complete skin examinations are extremely important.

Attempts at smoking cessation for patients in alcohol recovery may be enhanced by motivational counseling techniques and activities tailored to the identified stage of readiness to change.

Indications for immunotherapy include evidence of IgE-mediated disease and positive results on skin test or radioallergosorbent test (RAST).

Congestive heart failure can be prevented by aggressive management of etiologic factors and early intervention in patients with acute or chronic left ventricular dysfunction.

Gradual ascent and “climb high, sleep low” are two important rules to help prevent high-altitude illness, a troublesome and potentially fatal complication of high-altitude activities.

(Great Britain—The Practitioner, January 1998, p. 47.) Traditional antipsychotic medications that block dopamine receptors usually induce remission within a few weeks and, at reduced maintenance dosages, these medications may control symptoms sufficiently to enable patients to…

Copies of the newest update of AFP on CD-ROM have just become available. This year's disc contains six years' worth of materials published from January 1992 through December 1997. If you have not yet explored the convenience of having a whole collection of AFP at your…

Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News Now.

From 1970 to 1995, enrollment of Asian students in allopathic medical schools rose dramatically, from about 1 percent of all students to about 17 percent, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. During that period, enrollment of blacks rose from about 4…

The number of women who exercise regularly has been increasing since the mid-1970s. Women may run, cycle, perform aerobics or lift weights on a daily basis. Many women participate in competitive activities such as team sports, races, or even marathons. Collegiate women's sports…

Today, a 41-year-old woman presented to SEF for her first maternity care examination at eight weeks of gestation. This would not have been an unusual occurrence except for the fact that the patient had undergone the exact same examination about eight months ago. She had been…

(Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists) A survey of more than 450 parents whose children had undergone outpatient surgery revealed that parents are effective at managing their children's pain following surgery. The survey was also administered to the…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the “1998 Guidelines for the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.” The guidelines were developed by the CDC after consultation with a group of experts who met in Atlanta in 1997. Chair of the expert panel…

Staff members of the National Institute of Mental Health and other experts that participated in the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression in Late Life in 1991 recently convened to reexamine the conclusions of the…

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has issued a statement on the use of chromium supplements to increase muscle mass, reduce body fat and improve blood glucose levels and lipid levels. The ACSM believes that chromium supplementation is not necessary. A diet high in…

When the parathyroid glands make too much hormone, it's called hyperparathyroidism (HPT for short). The parathyroids are four glands behind the thyroid gland at the front of your neck. The hormone they make is called parathyroid hormone (or PTH). This hormone keeps the right…

Lumbar spinal canal stenosis is a narrowing in the space in the lower spine that carries nerves to your legs. This space is very small. It gets even smaller if the bone and tissue around it grow. It takes many years for this bone and tissue to grow.

It's probably safe, but you should check with your doctor first. Although some questions have been asked about the effects of exercise on pregnant women, there is no proof that gentle exercise has any bad effects on pregnancy. Studies haven't shown any benefits for the baby…

“Smoking isn't a bigger problem for people in recovery than it is for anyone else. You're just trying to scare me.”

An allergy shot has in it very small amounts of the substance that you are allergic to (called an allergen). Things that cause allergies are called “allergens.” Common allergens include mold and pollen from grasses, ragweed and trees. For example, if you are allergic to grass…

Every year millions of people go to the mountains for backpacking, skiing, mountain climbing and other activities. If you're planning a trip to altitudes over 8,000 feet, before you go, talk with your doctor about high-altitude illness, or mountain sickness as it is often called.