October 15, 2000

Because of its associated morbidity, frequency, cost and variation in diagnosis and management, urinary tract infection in children was the subject of a practice parameter developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Effective treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris usually requires oral medication using systemic antibiotics, combined oral contraceptives or spironolactone. Severe nodulocystic acne that does not respond to these agents may be treated with isotretinoin, but physicians should…

Important clinical functions of progestational agents include regulation of the menstrual cycle, prevention of endometrial hyperplasia, treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding and contraception.

Underuse of beta blockers after a myocardial infarction may stem from fear of adverse effects, especially in elderly patients or those with diabetes or heart failure. However, these are the patients who derive the greatest benefit from beta-blocker therapy after infarction.

Topical fluoroquinolones are safe and effective in the treatment of certain bacterial infections of the eye and ear.

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

For the second time in the past decade, the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, is contributing to AFP's “Practical Therapeutics” series. Thomas L. Schwenk, M.D., and Barbara S. Apgar, M.D., M.S., served as guest editors for a…

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

Every product warning, no matter how unnecessary it may seem, was precipitated by the unexpected actions of at least one consumer. Case in point: the British Medical Journal recently reported that an 18-year-old Briton with a prominent right ear used super glue to press his ear…

In this issue of American Family Physician, Howard and Ellerbeck1 discuss the underutilization of therapy with beta blockers after acute myocardial infarction (MI). That beta blockers are useful after acute MI is certainly not a new concept in medicine; the evidence that beta…

Do you remember the kid in high school who had the worst acne you had ever seen? The taunting or ostracizing experienced by that kid may have caused more permanent emotional scars than the physical scars that may still be visible today. Until isotretinoin (Accutane) became…

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Practice Parameter on Urinary Tract Infections that is presented in this issue of American Family Physician1 is a timely one. Recent studies have brought into question some of the accepted standards in managing these patients, and many…

Today, JTL had the pleasure of presenting various aspects of the life of a family physician to his daughter's first grade class. JTL enjoyed the opportunity to share with these youngsters some of the “toys” of his trade; specifically, his black bag from medical school days…

(60th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association) The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (formerly called non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) can be reduced by as much 58 percent through individualized intervention programs that encourage lifestyle…

The U.S. Headache Consortium guidelines on the pharmacologic management of acute migraine emphasize the need for physicians and patients to work together to decide how to treat acute attacks.

The Commission on Clinical Policies and Research of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has issued a statement recommending prioritization of influenza immunization. According to the AAFP commission, those persons who are at highest risk for influenza should be…

Isotretinoin (brand name: Accutane) is a medicine for very bad acne that did not get better after you tried other medicines. It is important for you to take isotretinoin the right way. You should know about the side effects of isotretinoin. Talk to your doctor if you have any…

A progestin-only contraceptive is one kind of birth control pill. It is often called the “mini-pill.” Regular birth control pills have two female hormones: estrogen and progesterone. The mini-pill has only progesterone in it. Because this pill doesn't contain estrogen, it may…

A beta blocker is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems. Some beta blockers are atenolol (brand name: Tenormin), metoprolol (brand name: Lopressor) and propranolol (brand name: Inderal). A beta blocker blocks the harmful effects of stress hormones on…