June 1, 2001

Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 kg per m2 or more. Basic treatment consists of a comprehensive approach involving diet and nutrition, regular physical activity, behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy.

Advances in surgical techniques and a better understanding of the proper timing for surgical intervention have increased lifespan and decreased morbidity in patients with valvular heart disease.

Physicians need to be aware of the broad spectrum of neurologic complications that can occur during dive-related accidents and injuries to ensure early recognition, accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy.

Fishhook injuries are common, and most can be treated in the office. The choice of removal technique depends on the type of fishhook embedded, the location and the depth of penetration. Careful exploration of the wound is important to remove foreign bodies.

AGUS Papanicolaou smears are often associated with significant clinical disease. Management includes colposcopic evaluation to rule out adenocarcinoma, high-grade preinvasive squamous disease and other invasive cancers. Following colposcopy, cervical conization should be…

In this issue you will find a new department that is based on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in The Cochrane Library. The editorial “Helping Physicians Make Evidence-Based Decisions” by Lorne Becker, M.D. (page 2130) introduces the series, which begins on page 2245…

Two Family Physicians Are Named Deans of Medical Schools | Task Force Will Make Patient Safety Information Easier to Report | HHS Secretary Launches New Organ Donation Initiative | CDC Establishes New Center on Birth Defects and Disabilities | Former AAFP Director, Commission…

The spare tire you stow around your waist might someday replace your creaky knee. According to a study published in Tissue Engineering, stem cells from human fat can be turned into muscle, bone or cartilage. Fat, marrow and bone all develop from the mesoderm layer of embryonic…

In the face of exploding medical information, family physicians continue to look for better ways to keep up and to provide patients with the best care based on the most reliable and up-to-date evidence. This issue of American Family Physician introduces a valuable tool in that…

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among American adults has been increasing for more than three decades. Approximately 97 million adults—or 55 percent of the adult population—are now considered overweight or obese.1 The increase appears to have occurred across all ages…

One of JTL's patients presented today requesting referral to a cardiologist to follow up on her mitral valve prolapse (MVP). The 43-year-old woman had been experiencing palpitations with increasing frequency and was concerned that she might be developing organic heart disease…

Yes. The patient is highly nicotine-dependent, and for smokers with moderate to severe nicotine dependence, nicotine replacement therapy with or without bupropion should be offered as part of an intensive program of physician advice, counseling and follow-up. This answer is…

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

(Canada—Canadian Family Physician, September 2000, p. 1817.) Although classic definitions describe seizures lasting 30 minutes, generalized convulsive status epilepticus is regarded by most modern experts as continuous seizures lasting at least five minutes or two or more…

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has developed a practice bulletin on the prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

AAP Technical Report on Irradiation of Food | Measurement of Trends in Childhood Asthma | Rates of Cigarette Smoking in the United States | New Resource Guides on Substance Abuse Issues

Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States, so this scenario is one that many physicians are likely to face in their practices. How, in the face of substantial cultural and language barriers, can we effectively address adolescent health issues in this high…

Letter

Recreational scuba diving is defined as pleasure diving to a depth of up to 130 feet without decompression stops. Recreational scuba diving has become very popular in the past 20 years. There are almost 9 million certified divers in the United States alone.

When you are ready to quit smoking, you may want to use nicotine replacement therapy to help you give up cigarettes. The cost of nicotine replacement therapy is about the same or less than the cost of cigarettes.