December 1, 2000

Urinary incontinence is a common problem requiring treatment that is specific to the patient and the type of incontinence experienced.

Beta-blocker therapy is appropriate in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III symptoms resulting from left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Pending the results of current trials, beta blockers should not be used in patients with NYHA class IV symptoms.

Antiviral agents for the prevention and treatment of influenza should not replace a broad-based immunization program.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is quickly becoming a drug of abuse among “party-goers” and bodybuilders and has been linked to at least 122 illnesses and as many as six deaths.

Myxedema coma, the extreme manifestation of hypothyroidism, is an uncommon but potentially lethal condition. It occurs when the body's compensatory responses to hypothyroidism are overwhelmed by a precipitating factor, such as infection.

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.

The past decade brought AFP new ways of keeping in touch with readers—such as e-mail, voice mail, focus groups and mass surveys—adding to traditional modes of communication. No matter how we keep in touch, we still find that the more feedback we receive from readers, the better…

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

What a relief! A recent issue of Family Practice News reports that it may be unnecessary for patients to have a full bladder while undergoing pelvic ultrasonography. The results of a recent study were announced at the annual meeting of the American Institute of Ultrasound in…

Recent advances in the treatment of systolic congestive heart failure are based on the results of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials. Heart failure is a complex condition, and its treatment requires consideration of two separate goals: symptom…

WLL practices in the office only part time now. Outside of the office, he applies his medical knowledge in the television and radio arenas. Because of his travel schedule, it has been difficult to remain apace with the practice. After several heart-to-heart discussions, our…

A 25-year-old woman presented with a one-month history of a pruritic eruption on the buttocks (see the accompanying figure). She had recently returned from a beach vacation in Mexico. She was given a methylprednisolone dose pack during a visit to the emergency department, but…

The home page of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (http://www.fda.gov) has undergone a major revision. The agency's Web site, which includes more than 100,000 documents, is now easier to search and covers the full scope of the FDA's activities in protecting the public…

The U.S. Headache Consortium guidelines for the treatment of migraine summarize data from clinical studies of various drugs used in preventive therapy of migraine.

The Committee on Pediatric AIDS of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a statement on the identification and care of infants, children and adolescents in foster care who have been exposed to or infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The AAP statement…

This case scenario clearly represents the challenges, complexities and paradoxes often faced by physicians working with dying patients and their families. Views and reactions regarding the end of life encompass a breadth of emotional, spiritual, personal and cultural factors…

Pelvic muscles help stop the flow of urine.Pregnancy, childbirth and being overweight canweaken the pelvic muscles. Fortunately, pelvicmuscles are just like other muscles—exercises canmake them stronger.Women who leak urine mayhave better control of these muscles by doingpelvic…

Urinary incontinence is when urine leaks unintentionally. It is a common problem and many women have urinary leakage once a week or more. While accidental leakage of urine is common, it should not be considered normal.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is an illegal drug that is used as a muscle builder, a “party drug” and a “date-rape” drug. GHB comes in a liquid and a powder form. GHB has been linked to many serious illnesses and even deaths.