June 15, 2002

Atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardias are the rhythm disturbances most commonly encountered by family physicians. The challenge is to determine which arrhythmias are benign and which indicate probable cardiac malfunction.

Coexistent structural heart disease is the most important factor in determining whether a ventricular arrhythmia should be treated. Left ventricular function is another significant consideration.

Basal cell nevus syndrome is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by the development of multiple basal cell carcinomas, occurring with skin abnormalities such as pitting edema of the hands and feet. Early diagnosis is essential for reducing long-term sequelae, including…

Appropriate preconception health care improves pregnancy outcomes by reducing health risks to mother and infant.

Once the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease has been made, a treatment plan should be developed. This plan will have to be modified as the disease progresses. The family physician should be aware of state-mandated reporting requirements for driving impairment and elder…

Ingrown toenail is a common problem with various etiologies, including improperly trimmed nails, hyperhidrosis, and poorly fitting shoes. Excision of the lateral nail plate combined with lateral matricectomy provides the best chance for successful treatment.

While Emily Brontë and a few other renowned writers have managed to thrive in social isolation, most writers and editors live by the mantra: “Every writer needs an editor, and every editor needs an editor.” I well remember hearing that charming chant from my editorial mentor…

HRSA Awards $28.6 Million to Primary Care Associations and Offices | U.S. Elected to Executive Board of the World Health Organization | IOM Report Shows Consequences of Being Uninsured | New Mental Health Guide for Children Released | Committee Recommends Eliminating…

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) ages gracefully along with its users. A study of 2,073 women older than 65 without dementia showed that the older the woman, the greater the cognitive benefits of HRT. Published in Women's Health, the study found that HRT use was associated…

Despite federal laws that give persons the right to formulate advance directives, most Americans have not executed living wills or medical powers of attorney designed to clarify their values and wishes about their medical care if they lose decision-making capacity.1 A primary…

“I am not exactly sure why she is here,” confided the third-year medical student who was working with KS in the family practice center. The 16-year-old girl had mild nasal congestion, which she had experienced intermittently for several months. The patient's mother reported…

This statement summarizes the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for breast cancer and the supporting scientific evidence, and it updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, second…

The American Urological Association, Inc. (AUA) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) have collaborated to produce recommendations intended to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Preventing Infectious Disease in International Travelers | Management of Pregnant Women Exposed to Anthrax | ACOG Opinion Paper on Analgesia and Cesarean Delivery | Safety Rules Activity Booklet for Elementary School Children | NIAAA Report on Prevention of College Drinking…

You probably won't know you are pregnant for the first three to four weeks. By then, your baby is already forming major organs and structures. Some medicines, illnesses, or bad habits (like smoking or drinking alcohol) can affect your baby before you even know you are pregnant…

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail edge is damaged, and the nail no longer fits properly into the side groove. The nail curls downward and digs into the skin, causing pain, swelling, redness, and drainage. Sometimes a piece of nail (called a lateral pointing spicule…