September 15, 1998

Most skin cancers are identifiable, and early recognition is the critical first step toward the management of cutaneous neoplasm.

The Gomco clamp has become one of the most frequently used instruments for the performance of circumcision because of its ability to prevent injury and bleeding in infants.

Treatment of constipation should be directed at the underlying abnormality, and chronic laxative use should be avoided. First-line therapies include bowel retraining, increased intake of dietary fiber and fluids, and more physical activity, if possible.

Management of sexual assault should include treatment of physical injuries, prophylaxis for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and therapy for psychosocial sequelae.

By taking a complete work history and establishing access to occupational health resources, family physicians can improve their ability to recognize and treat occupational diseases.

(Great Britain—The Practitioner, May 1998, p. 407.) Although “fibromyalgia syndrome” was formally described in 1981, identical or closely related conditions have been discussed in the medical literature for almost 100 years. The key features of fibromyalgia are musculoskeletal…

If you haven't done so already, you may want to save a copy of the article “Immunizations: Current Recommendations,” by Samuel B. Adkins III, M.D., published in the September 1, 1997 issue of AFP (page 865). Not only is this article a useful resource for busy family physicians…

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

Alcohol abuse in the elderly? According to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 17 percent of adults older than 60 years of age are substance abusers. Psychiatric News reports that 15 percent of men who are alcoholics state that their alcoholism began between the ages of…

Mortality and morbidity from vaccine-preventable diseases remain high in adults, despite the development and dissemination of vaccine recommendations for this age group. It is estimated that each year, vaccination could prevent 8,260 deaths related to influenza and 19,200…

We may debate about when an asymptomatic woman should receive her first mammogram or begin annual mammography screening, how long the interval should be between mammograms for women or about what situations warrant cessation of screening, but on this we agree: early detection…

Today, SEF saw a 48-year-old woman who had been suffering from depression for many years. She had failed therapy with several antidepressant medications and had almost resigned herself to a life with “the black monster” of depression. Three weeks ago, SEF started her on a new…

(50th Anniversary Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology) Results of a study of postmenopausal women showed that women with early Parkinson's disease may benefit from hormone replacement therapy. The study included postmenopausal women who had been diagnosed with…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) World Wide Web home page (http://www.fda.gov) has been greatly expanded since it was last described in this department.1 When a news story or a patient mentions a new medical product, a new drug indication or warning, a few keystrokes…

A policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) addresses how physicians should counsel parents on the use of discipline for their children, including the use of positive reinforcement and the potential negative effects of corporal punishment. “Guidelines for…

The Committee on Educational Bulletins of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released a report on the management of postpartum hemorrhage (Educational Bulletin No. 243). The report discusses the causes and management of postpartum hemorrhage.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a position statement on neonatal drug withdrawal. The statement, published in the June 1998 issue of Pediatrics, has current information about the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, therapeutic options and outcomes…

Also Received

One of your skin's worst enemies is ultraviolet light from the sun, which can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer.

Rape is any form of sexual activity that you don't agree to, ranging from touching to penetration. Rape is a crime even if you already know the person who attacked you—if the person is a family member or friend or someone you work with. It's a crime even if you didn't fight…