April 15, 2003

Devices such as canes, crutches, and walkers assist with ambulation by enhancing the patient's balance and ability to bear weight. Physicians who know how to select a device can give appropriate assistance to their patients who are in need of ambulatory assistance.

Sick sinus syndrome, which comprises a variety of conditions involving sinus node dysfunction, typically affects elderly patients.

Premenstrual syndrome is characterized by emotional and physical symptoms that consistently occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Women with more severe affective symptoms are classified as having premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Valerian, a traditional herbal remedy for mild to moderate insomnia, is safe and well tolerated. It may be useful in the treatment of mild anxiety states and as an aid in benzodiazepine withdrawal.

We will soon publish some reading that you may want to add to your “must do”list—watch for an upcoming update on bioterrorism in the May 1 issue of AFP. This article reviews the six biologic disease agents considered of highest priority by the Working Group on Civilian…

1–2–3. It may be that easy to tell if someone is having a stroke. As reported in The New York Times, a study presented at a conference of the American Stroke Association showed that stroke can be identified using a three-step test that takes only a minute to conduct. Patients…

HHS Report Shows U.S. Life Expectancy Reached New High of 77.2 Years | Health-Related Issues Receive Emphasis in Senate's Agenda for 2003 | President Bush Approves $7 Billion Budget for HRSA | Bilingual Helpline Created to Connect Hispanic Families with Health Services…

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently published updated recommendations1 for the early detection of cervical cancer; this topic was last reviewed in 1987. The guidelines are based on a literature review combined with expert opinion when sufficient evidence was not…

“I have good news and bad news,” TA reported to her 45-year-old patient. “The good news is that your lipid profile looks fantastic. The bad news is that you'll have to continue your diet.” For more than a year now, she had been treating this patient for severe hyperlipidemia…

The use of oral sucrose, with or without pacifiers, has been shown to relieve pain in neonates, as assessed by physiologic and behavioral pain indicators and pain scores.

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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for diagnosing and treating adverse reactions to smallpox vaccination in the preoutbreak setting. Smallpox vaccine is made from live vaccinia virus but does not contain variola virus, which causes…

Smallpox Vaccine in Persons with Eczema | FDA Statement on Counterfeit Procrit | CDC Report on Pregnancy-Related Mortality | AAP Statement on Emergency Care of Children

Anticoagulant Use in Patients with Risk of Falling

The Importance of Taking an Occupational History

Sick sinus syndrome is the name for several conditions in which the sinus node does not work the right way. The sinus node is a natural pacemaker in your heart that helps your heart beat steadily. An electric current starts in one of the upper chambers (called the atria) of the…

The vessels that bring blood to the heart are called the coronary arteries. They are like narrow tubes. A fatty substance called plaque (say this: plak) can build up in these arteries and make them narrow, so less blood gets to the heart. This is called coronary artery disease…

Coronary artery disease (it's called CAD, for short) is sometimes called coronary heart disease. A coronary artery is a blood vessel that carries blood to your heart. An artery is like a narrow tube.

Cholesterol is a substance that is in all of us. Our bodies make cholesterol. It is also in meat and dairy foods. Plant foods do not have cholesterol. Most of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver from saturated fat in the food you eat.