September 15, 2001

Proper support, hospital policies and education improve rates of successful breastfeeding.

Illnesses related to antibiotic-resistant organisms are on the rise as a result of indiscriminate prescribing. Physicians should evaluate patients carefully to determine if antibiotics are necessary.

Concussions may be complicated by cerebral edema related to the second impact syndrome, cumulative neuropsychologic deficits, intracranial bleeding or the postconcussion syndrome. An athlete should not be allowed to resume play until all symptoms of a concussion have resolved.

With appropriate diagnosis and management, most end-of-life symptoms can be alleviated. Management of constipation involves manipulation of the components required for a normal bowel movement. Haloperidol is the pharmaceutical agent of choice for the management of delirium…

Adults with Down syndrome need to have routine health screening and monitoring for special medical conditions that are more common in persons with this syndrome, such as thyroid disease, cervical spine disease and hearing loss.

Based on the University of Michigan guideline, patients with heart failure resulting from ventricular systolic dysfunction should be treated with the following, if tolerated and not contraindicated: an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in all patients; a beta blocker in…

Michael D. Springer, Vice President for Publishing and Communications

CDC Releases New Guidelines on Fluoride Use to Prevent Tooth Decay | Patient Education Conference Will Be in Seattle, November 15–18 | American Cancer Society Launches Redesigned Web Site | New Internet Resource Provides Health Care Information for All 50 States | NIAID…

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is living up to its reputation as the “good” cholesterol. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have found that HDL, in addition to shuttling cholesterol, triggers a process that keeps arteries clean and…

More women, men and children receive medical care each month in the offices of primary care physicians than any other professional setting. There is an urgent need for health policies that encourage further innovation and implementation of first-rate primary care for everyone.

Family physicians, as doctors of women and children, are in the ideal position to promote and support breastfeeding. The American Academy of Family Physicians' (AAFP) policy “Breastfeeding and infant nutrition“ states, “Human milk is the optimal form of nutrition for infants.”1…

In a two-part article published in this issue and the previous issue of American Family Physician, Chavey and associates1,2 summarize current guidelines for the treatment of congestive heart failure caused by systolic dysfunction. As with guidelines in general, putting this one…

Evidence-based medicine offers the promise of improved health outcomes for our patients. The problem is that the evidence is often difficult to find, conflicting or insufficient to guide our practice. Sometimes, it is just impossible to keep up with the latest changes. For…

In his nursing home practice, JTL has often been saddened to see so many elderly patients living out their final days in isolation from family members who, for whatever reason, choose not to visit them. On a brighter note, JTL received a note from the incredibly supportive…

(Canada—Canadian Family Physician, April 2001, p. 769.) Even apparently minor bite wounds should be thoroughly investigated, because external features may not reliably indicate the extent of internal damage. High-pressure irrigation (8 lb per square inch) is recommended to…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed guidelines for evaluating and treating adults with acute respiratory disease. Information focusing on the appropriate use of antibiotics for treatment of uncomplicated acute bronchitis is included in these…

Baycol Pulled from the Market | Cryosurgical Device to Treat Menorrhagia | New Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

Letter

Your breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. Breast milk is the only food needed for the first six months of life for most full-term, healthy babies. Each mother's milk is well suited to meet the needs of her own baby.

Many adults with Down syndrome are healthy, but they still need regular health care. People with Down syndrome should see their family doctor for regular check-ups. Perhaps you have an adult child with Down syndrome, or a brother or sister with this condition. Your relative…

Table 2 of the article “Topical Fluoroquinolones for Eye and Ear” (October 15, 2000, page 1872) contained an error regarding the recommended use of the topical medication ciprofloxacin-hydrocortisone (Cipro HC). The table incorrectly states that Cipro HC, a nonsterile solution…