March 15, 2001

Concern about the implications of antibiotic resistance has heightened with recent reports of pediatric morbidity and mortality associated with ineffective antibiotics in communities across the United States.

Faced with the broad and sometimes conflicting range of recommendations for cancer screening, family physicians must determine the most reasonable and up-to-date method of screening.

Paronychia, a localized superficial infection or abscess of the perionychial tissues, is one of the most common infections of the hand. Treatment options vary depending on whether the infection is acute or chronic.

Osteoporosis is a common, usually silent, clinical condition; treatment with behavior modification and exercise, or therapy with estrogen, calcium, calcitonin, bisphosphonates or raloxifene, is governed by the presentation.

Endometrial biopsy is valuable in the work-up of abnormal uterine bleeding, cancer screening, endometrial dating and infertility evaluation. This article provides the details necessary to perform this procedure.

Based on extensive literature review and expert opinions of a multispecialty panel, the AUA recommendations are intended to serve as a resource for urologists and primary care physicians in the evaluation, treatment and follow-up of adult patients with asymptomatic…

Intervention in patients with the insulin resistance syndrome may prevent the development of several serious associated conditions.

The article on page 1131 represents the first in a series of “Office Procedures” articles adapted from The Academy Collection: Quick References for Family Physicians, a series of reference guides for family physicians originally published by a joint arrangement between the AAFP…

AAFP Seeks Physicians to be Key Legislative Contacts | Online Site Offers Latest Health News | HRSA Awards $42.3 Million for Early HIV Treatment | President's Prescription Drug Proposal at Issue | NRHA Issues Legislative Agenda for 2001 | U.S. Registry Created for Alopecia…

“A cold front is moving in—look for snow, sleet, and the probability of heart attacks, strokes and broken bones.” Think that's a strange weather forecast? It's perfectly normal for people living in some regions of England. According to the British Medical Journal, some areas…

In their article in this issue of American Family Physician, Hooten and Levy1 point out that drug-resistant microorganisms are a growing global problem. Use of antimicrobial agents creates an environment open to the development of resistance, placing both general populations…

One of the most common reasons for visits to family physicians is the detection of asymptomatic disease, or screening—especially screening for cancer. In this issue of American Family Physician, Zoorob and colleagues1 provide a useful summary of current guidelines for cancer…

The Patient Safety Grid shows the fields where action is necessary in a comprehensive national effort to reduce harm from medical errors. Each segment of the grid is important and connected to others, sometimes forming a toxic cascade.

At times, family physicians are called on to counsel patients in areas that might seem to be off limits at first glance. Today, JTL visited with an elderly man who has been married for more than 50 years and who, in the past, has received sildenafil to improve his sexual…

Urinary Incontinence Causes Negative Outlook of Overall Health | Illegal Drug Use, Being Overweight Are Predictors of Adolescent Suicide | Laboratory and Brain Imaging Studies for Dementia May Not Be Helpful | WAST Is Effective Tool for Identifying Domestic Abuse of Females…

(Hong Kong—The Hong Kong Practitioner, October 2000, p. 495.) Up to 10 percent of children are reported to snore almost every night. Because any narrowing of the upper airway can predispose children to snoring, it can be caused by a wide range of clinical conditions, including…

Patient Education

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a technical report on the prevention of pneumococcal infections, including the use of pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines and antibiotic prophylaxis.

Role of Isoflavones in Menopausal Health Conditions | New Asthma Medication for Infants and Children | Call for Medical Informatics Papers | Delayed-Release Drug for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis | AAP Statement on the Use of Inhaled Nitric Oxide | Women's Health Report on…

Antibiotics are medicines that fight (or prevent) infections that are caused by bacteria. Bacteria are also called germs. If the infection is caused by a virus, antibiotics can't fight the virus.

Endometrial biopsy is a safe and effective method for evaluating the tissue lining the inside of the uterus (or womb). A plastic catheter is slipped into the uterus, and a small amount of the endometrial lining is suctioned into the catheter. This technique has been…

Insulin is a kind of hormone. It helps your body store sugar in your tissues. Your body uses stored sugar for energy.