October 15, 2002

Clumsiness in children should be recognized as a serious medical problem that can adversely affect a child's emotional, academic, and social adjustment. Treatment involves education of the child and family, and individualized occupational therapy.

Because discipline plays an important role in the social and emotional development of children, physicians should be trained to discuss this issue with parents during routine well-child examinations.

Preoperative attention to common medical problems that occur in patients with impaired renal function can lower some surgical risks. Issues that need to be addressed include hyperkalemia, potential for perioperative bleeding, anemia, potential for infection, acid-base disorders…

A significant number of patients with panic disorder do not respond favorably or completely to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy. Eight strategies have been developed to help primary care physicians optimize treatment of these patients.

Hormonal changes that occur with puberty, during the menstrual cycle, and at menopause can affect seizure control in women with epilepsy. There are unique challenges in contraception, reproductive health, and pregnancy in women using antiepileptic drugs.

Knee joint aspiration and injection are used to help diagnose and treat knee joint diseases.

The article “Diagnosis of Clumsiness in Children” (page 1435) by S. Sutton Hamilton, M.D., marks the first in a new series of “Problem-Oriented Diagnosis” articles contributed by the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati…

New Web Site Offers Physician Training for Use of CDC Growth Charts | AAFP Web Site Offers CME Program on Physician Bioterrorism Preparedness | HHS Awards $140 Million to HCOs Affected by Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks | NHLBI Launches Web Site to Promote Positive Sleeping Habits…

“To err is human…” Obtaining timely and accurate information from patients may be difficult if paper diaries are used, reveals a study published in BMJ. Researchers gave 80 patients with chronic pain either a handheld computer or a paper diary and asked them to answer questions…

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has been hard at work as a member organization of the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to place an 80-hour limit on weekly resident hours and otherwise limit resident time on duty. For almost two…

PC, a second-year resident, was examining an eight-year-old boy who complained of nasal congestion and cough that had lasted for three days. Aside from a red throat, PC noted the presence of darkened, velvety skin around the child's neck and elbows. canthosis nigricans is…

This statement summarizes the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for osteoporosis and the supporting scientific evidence, and updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, Second Edition.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has issued its 2002 update on guidelines for reducing the risk of cancer with healthy food choices and physical activity.

AAP Recommendations on Children in Foster Care | Cervical Cytologic Abnormalities Guidelines | <i>AFM</i> Call for Papers, Reviewers | FDA Norplant Advisory | Expanded WONCA Web Site

The earliest studies documenting the effects of resident fatigue on patient care took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During that time, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine noted, “There never was a good reason to indulge in the false heroism of 36-hour…

Children must be taught good behavior so they can live and work well in society when they grow up. Good teaching includes rewards for good behavior. Your child's age should guide your choice of ways to teach. Some tips to help you teach your child are listed below.

Joint aspiration and injection refer to the placement of a needle into a joint cavity to remove fluid for analysis or study, and to inject medicine for pain relief or treatment of a disease (rheumatoid arthritis, gout, pseudogout, infectious arthritis). Sometimes the doctor may…

The injury that occurs when your foot “rolls,” or turns in on itself, is called an ankle sprain. In this injury, the ligaments that hold the ankle and foot bones in place are stretched and weakened.

Knee braces are supports that you wear for a painful or injured knee. Some people use them to prevent knee injuries during sports. Braces are made from combinations of metal, foam, plastic, elastic material, and straps. They come in many sizes, colors, and designs.

A cast can help keep the injured area from moving so you can heal faster without risking further injury. How long you'll need to wear a cast depends on the type of injury you have and how serious it is. Your doctor may want to check your cast 1 to 3 days after putting it on to…