February 15, 2000

The etiology of a limp may be as severe as a life-threatening bone tumor or as benign as a pebble in a shoe. Initially, the differential diagnosis of an acutely limping child should be broad so as not to overlook less common conditions.

In the treatment of patients with intermittent claudication, primary care physicians should focus on evaluation, risk factor modification and exercise.

Although Meckel's diverticulum is the most prevalent congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract, it is often difficult to diagnose.

Classifying the type of thyroiditis on the basis of the patient's history, physical examination and diagnostic tests enables physicians to initiate appropriate management.

The family physician plays a crucial role in detecting and evaluating mental retardation in young children, and in providing referrals and ongoing support for the entire family.

Early identification and proper understanding of the mechanisms of somatoform disorders are essential components of maintaining a good physician-patient relationship during management of this common, costly and frustrating disorder.

Greater awareness of risk factors and improved technology (biochemical markers and ultrasonography) can facilitate earlier diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

A systematic approach to health maintenance can improve quality of care for geriatric patients.

This feature is part of a year-long series of excerpts and special commentaries celebrating AFP's 50thyear of publication. Excerpts from the two 1950 volumes of GP, AFP's predecessor, appear along with highlights of 50 years of family medicine.

In a special collaborative effort, members of two different family medicine departments in Chicago are contributing articles to AFP's “Problem-Oriented Diagnosis” series. David R. Rudy, M.D., M.P.H., professor and chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Chicago…

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

We know we ought to take time to smell the roses—but now we have to try each nostril? According to a recent report in Nature, differing airflow in the right and left nostrils results in different perceptions of smell. Air flows through the nostrils at different rates because of…

Health maintenance of geriatric patients is an integral part of daily medical practice for most family physicians. The number of older patients will increase dramatically in upcoming years, from 34 million in 1998 to 69 million in 2030.1 Out of necessity, family physicians must…

In questioning whether we are undergoing a genetic revolution, in the “Medicine and Society” article in this issue,1 Wulfsberg argues that people will not soon be obtaining “genetic profiles” that will predict their risks of future disease, nor he says, will primary care…

Over the past decade, there has been a rising cacophony of predictions that genetic discoveries emerging from the Human Genome Project would revolutionize primary medical care. However, despite these predictions, genetic practice in primary care has undergone little change…

Today started off innocently enough when a young pregnant patient of JRH's came in to have the clips removed after the abdominal surgery she had required a week earlier. Quickly, the clips were removed; the wound was healing well. Sterile adhesive strips were applied and an…

(27th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group) Elderly patients with insomnia who underwent cognitive and behavioral therapy during a gradual withdrawal from benzodiazepines had a discontinuation rate twice that of patients who had gradual withdrawal…

(Australia—Australian Family Physician, September 1999, p. 903.) Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic neurologic disease that can present with almost any neurologic symptom. Approximately 40 percent of patients initially experience limb weakness. The weakness may involve…

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) has developed guidelines for the diagnosis of acute venous thromboembolism. The guidelines cover the diagnostic approach to acute deep venous thrombosis and to acute pulmonary embolism.

The Committee on Native American Child Health and the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have issued a policy statement on the immunization of Native American children. The AAP policy statement appears in the September 1999 issue of…

Medline: a Guide to Effective Searching

Peripheral arterial disease is a problem of blood flow. Arteries carry blood to the muscles and organs in your body. When you have disease in your arteries, they become narrow or blocked. The most common cause of narrow or blocked arteries is fatty deposits. This condition is…

Meckel's diverticulum (say: die-ver-tic-yu-lum) is a small pouch about the size of your thumb. The pouch is on the wall of the lower part of your small intestine (bowel). It's left over from a fetus' umbilical cord and intestines. It occurs in one out of 50 people.

Hashimoto's disease is a problem of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland in your neck controls the way your body uses energy. When you have Hashimoto's disease, your thyroid gland doesn't work right.

You have just learned that your child is retarded. You have a lot of questions. You probably are worried and afraid. How can you get the information and help you need?

The patient information handout accompanying the article “Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Review and Guidelines for Treatment” (November 1, 1999, page 2012) contained a drawing that was incorrectly oriented. The hamstring stretch depicted in the fifth exercise should show the…