July 1, 2002

Recent changes in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia include wider patient use of complementary medicines, selective alpha-blocker medical therapy, and less invasive surgical treatments.

Infiltrative anesthetics are a mainstay for use during painful office procedures because of their safety, low cost, and quick efficacy.

The development of topical anesthetics such as TAC, LET, and EMLA has provided the family physician with multiple options for anesthetizing open and intact skin.

Advanced processing of helical computed tomographic data sets allows for three-dimensional and virtual endoscopy models that are ideal for screening, because they are noninvasive and require minimal patient preparation.

The most common bacterial skin infections include cellulitis, erysipelas, impetigo, folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. All of these infections are typically diagnosed by clinical presentation and treated empirically.

In the United States, about three fourths of perimenopausal women experience hot flushes; one half report feeling irritated or depressed; and about one third have dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, or decreased libido. Some women are looking for alternatives to traditional hormone…

The article on page 119, by Daniel L. Stulberg, M.D., Marc A. Penrod, M.D., and Richard A. Blatny, M.D., is the first in a new series on the management of common skin problems, contributed by the Utah Valley Family Practice Residency, Provo, Utah. Dr. Stulberg, who is director…

HHS Releases Report on the Health Status of Women in the United States | Family Physician Web Site Adds New ‘Web Reviews’ Column | NHLBI Study Links Teenaged Girls’ Weight Concerns with Smoking | NIDDK Web Page Provides Information on Obesity and Weight Loss | HHS Reports No…

With their intense study habits and long work hours, medical students aren't known for eating healthfully. However, students at 21 medical schools in the United States are part of a program entitled “Whole Heartedly: Cooking Classes for Healthy Living.” The goal of the classes…

The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 32.8 percent of the U.S. general population has persistent or chronic pain symptoms.1 It is further estimated that 94 million U.S. residents have some form of episodic or persistent pain—whether it be pain associated with…

Errol, an elderly man of above-average intelligence, was in my office today for follow-up of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Three months ago I had prescribed for him a combination metered-dose inhaler of ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate (Combivent). He had…

What are the effects of antibiotics in outpatient settings? What are the effects of treatments in people admitted to the hospital? What are the effects of treatments in people in intensive care? What are the effects of guidelines? What are the effects of preventive…

Case study: TC is a 24-year-old woman who comes to your office for a well-woman visit. Her last physical examination was at age 16 with her pediatrician. She has been sexually active since the age of 15 and has had three “lifetime” partners.

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

Osteoporosis is a disorder of the skeletal system characterized by weakened bone strength, which results in an increased risk of fracture. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a consensus statement on the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of osteoporosis.

Tetanus Vaccine Now Available for Wound Care | Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention | Obesity Management Guidelines | Antiretroviral Agent Use in Patients with HIV | FDA Approves Olmesartan

The prostate is a gland that makes the fluid in semen. It is located under a man's bladder and wraps around his urethra (see drawing below). The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis to the outside of the body.