July 15, 2003

Effective treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome include wrist splinting, oral corticosteroid therapy, local corticosteroid injection, and carpal tunnel release surgery.

Diagnostic techniques and treatments depend on the stage of the disease. Neurosyphilis can develop in any stage ofTreponema pallidum infection.

Misconceptions about the safety of current vaccine use during pregnancy often cause physicians to hesitate to administer them and patients to accept them. Despite these misconceptions, family physicians are in a good position to implement appropriate guidelines for immunization…

Necrotizing external otitis, a relatively rare complication of external otitis, occurs primarily in immunocompromised persons, especially older persons with diabetes mellitus. Treatment includes correction of immunosuppression (when possible), local treatment of the auditory…

Necrotizing soft tissue infections must be detected and treated rapidly to prevent loss of limb or a fatal outcome. Antibiotic therapy is important, but controlled surgical debridement of necrotic and diseased tissues remains the cornerstone of treatment.

ILLUSTRATION BY FLOYD E. HOSMEROur most recent research shows that half of AFP's readers may not know that they have full access to the journal online. They may not know that it's available at a price that can't be beat—it's still free of charge. AFP online is such a good deal…

Toilet training can take longer if a child is not ready. A study published in Pediatricscompared the length of intensive toilet training (directing the child to use the toilet more than three times a day) in 378 children in a suburban private pediatric practice. Parents were…

CDC Web Page Provides Up-To-Date Information on Monkeypox | HHS Streamlines FDA Regulations for Generic Drug Approvals | AHRQ Releases Men's Health Brochure for Screening Tests and Staying Healthy | Coalition Announces Agenda for Addressing the Issue of Low Health Literacy…

In May 2003, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Seventh Joint National Committee on High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) released its recommendations for the most current diagnosis and management of hypertension.1In both its process and its aim, this iteration of the time…

This morning I arrive early to orient two third-year medical students about to start their family medicine clerkship. Today’s students are the kind I like best—nervously eager, attentive, and thoughtful. One is leaning toward pediatrics, and the other, adolescent medicine. “I…

While there is good evidence that mammography starting at age 50 reduces breast cancer mortality, this meta-analysis does not provide evidence of a mortality benefit for mammography screening in women aged 40 to 49. Controversy exists over whether to include in the analysis…

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

New guidelines for the prevention and management of hypertension are available from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). According to the NHLBI, hypertension affects about 50 million persons in the United States.

Recommendations on Screening for Chlamydia | Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Shortage Resolved | Toxic Substance Fact Sheets Available Online | Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk in Children

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve. This is a nerve that goes through your wrist (see the picture below). The median nerve can become pinched at the carpal tunnel, which is a small canal, or space, near the base of the palm of your hand. In this…

Syphilis (say: sif-ih-liss) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium named Treponema pallidum. (say: Trep-oh-nee-mah pal-lih-dum). If syphilis is not treated, it can cause serious problems. The good news is that syphilis usually can be cured with penicillin…

The term “heart failure” simply means that your heart is not pumping blood as well as it should. Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped working or that you are having a heart attack.

Heart attack (also called myocardial infarction) is the name we use when part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies because it is not getting enough oxygen. Oxygen is carried to the heart by the arteries (also called blood vessels). Most heart attacks are caused by a blockage…

Most people can go back to work and the activities they enjoy within a few months of having a heart attack. Others may have to limit their activity if their heart muscle is too weak. The amount of activity you can do will be based on the condition of your heart. Your doctor…