December 1, 2001

Work-related asthma includes at-work aggravation of preexisting asthma and new-onset asthma induced by occupational exposure. An important step in the diagnosis is recognition by the physician of the relationship of the illness to work conditions.

Gastroesophageal reflux is common in infants and children, while true disease is far less common.

Quinupristin-dalfopristin, the first formulation of the streptogramin class of antibiotics, has activity against a range of gram-positive bacteria that are usually resistant to other agents, including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium.

Family physicians are in an ideal position to help patients who have psychiatric disorders with skin manifestations and skin disorders that cause or are exacerbated by stress.

In this issue, AFP is restarting its series called “Putting Prevention into Practice: An Evidence-Based Approach.” On page 1881 you’ll find the first of a new batch of prevention-focused case studies. This piece, called “Counseling for Tobacco Cessation,” is written by Martin C…

AAFP Encourages Physicians to Urge Congress to Freeze Medicare Payment Rate | $1.5 Billion Requested to Help HHS Combat National Bioterrorism | Consensus Statement Released on Family Physicians' Role in Pain Management | Robert Graham Policy Center Relocates Offices

Having a broken heart could cause a broken heart. According to a case-control study published in the British Medical Journal, patients who have taken tricyclic antidepressants are at an increased risk for developing ischemic heart disease (IHD). The study matched 933 patients…

Until just over six years ago, patients with type 2 diabetes were started on treatment with a sulfonylurea. When this treatment failed, insulin was added to or substituted for the sulfonylurea. With only these agents available, achieving the target glycosylated hemoglobin 7…

Pharmacologic agents receive FDA approval for specific indications, but this does not necessarily limit their use for other problems. JOH recognizes this but was still surprised when a teenage patient who came to the coach asked for clonidine for sleep problems. As an…

Case study: JT is a 54-year-old man who presents for a follow-up office visit. He requests refills on his prescriptions for enalapril and atorvastatin. You are aware that he is a smoker. Before you can initiate a discussion about his tobacco use, he excitedly reports that he…

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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an update to guidelines for anthrax exposure. The update includes the susceptibility patterns of Bacillus anthracis isolates, and provides interim recommendations for managing potential threats and exposures and…

CDC Guidelines on Safe Mail Handling | FDA Approves New Monthly Contraceptive | AAP Policy on Acetaminophen Toxicity in Children | AHRQ Booklet for Spanish-Speaking Patients

Gastroesophageal (say: gas-tro-ee-sof-ah-gee-all) refers to the stomach. Reflux means to flow backward. So, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is when liquids or foods in the stomach flow “back up” into the esophagus (the tube where food passes from your mouth to your stomach). GER…

Asthma is a disease of the lungs. During an asthma attack, you can't get enough air. You feel short of breath. Your chest may feel tight. You may cough and wheeze (make a whistling sound when you breathe).