• Articles

    Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

    JOEL J. HEIDELBAUGH, TIMOTHY T. NOSTRANT, CLARA KIM, R. VAN HARRISON

    Treatment of reflux esophagitis is directed at acid suppression using lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic agents. Antireflux surgery or one of the newer endoscopic modalities is an alternative treatment in patients who have chronic reflux and recalcitrant symptoms.

    A Practical Guide to Anaphylaxis

    ANGELA W. TANG

    Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction to medicines, foods, insect stings, physical factors, and exercise. Prompt treatment is critical. Prevention strategies are a key component in the management of future episodes.

    Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Ankle and Foot

    ALFRED F. TALLIA, DENNIS A. CARDONE

    The use of diagnostic and therapeutic injection for common pathologies affecting the plantar fascia, the ankle joint, the tarsal tunnel, the interdigital space, and the first metatarsophalangeal joint is reviewed and pictorially demonstrated.

    Pharmacologic Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: An Update

    VINCENT W. DELAGARZA

    Drugs that inhibit the degradation of acetylcholine within synapses are the main treatment for Alzheimer's disease, but no therapy has been shown to completely protect neurons.

    Fever in the Returned Traveler

    VINCENT LO RE, III, STEPHEN J. GLUCKMAN

    As more people visit exotic worldwide locations, U.S. physicians are seeing more returning travelers with fever. A careful travel history, a description of accommodations, information about pretravel immunizations or chemoprophylaxis during travel, a sexual history, and a...

    Inside AFP

    Getting Fired up for Fall Issues and More

    Janis Wright

    Although the year is starting to wind down and many of our editorial efforts are being directed at changes that will occur next year, we still have a few surprises in store for you this fall. In addition to the “Point-of-Care Guides” that we introduced in the September 1...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Matthew Neff

    ABFP Web Site Provides Information on New Certification Program | AAFP Adopts Influenza Vaccine Policy Consistent with ACIP | CMS Improves and Expands Medicare Web Site for Health Care Professionals | IOM Publishes Booklet on Improving Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Sarah Evans, Heather McNeill

    Fewer deaths from heart attack occurred in France on the day that country won soccer's 1998 World Cup, according to a study published in Heart. In men, 23 heart attack deaths were reported, compared with an average of 32.6 deaths on the five days before and after the match. A...

    Editorials

    Gastroesophageal Reflux: Medical and Surgical Treatment Options

    KENNETH R. DEVAULT

    Symptoms consistent with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are extraordinarily common, and treatment of GERD is an important aspect of primary care medicine. Therapeutic options range from patient-driven lifestyle changes and as-needed use of over-the-counter (OTC)...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    “Well, Poppy's doing better today!” Poppy is Eustace Conrad, a vigorous 75-year-old man whose philosophic bent (“A man of my age doesn't like to be denied one of the few pleasures he has left—I'm talking about food.”) and literate repartee (“When they get on my case at work,...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Are Anticoagulants Better than Antiplatelet Agents for Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke?

    GLENN GRIFFIN

    Aspirin has a small benefit for long-term outcome and survival. Anticoagulants increase the risk for bleeding and do not have long-term benefit.

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

    DAVID CREERY, ANGELO MIKROGIANAKIS

    What are the effects of interventions to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome?

    Photo Quiz

    Air, Air Everywhere

    DEARDRE CHAO

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

    POEMs and Tips

    Educational Programs for Children with Asthma

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Low BNP Predicts Better Outcomes in Patients with PE

    MARK EBELL

    Varicocele Repair Ineffective in Restoring Fertility

    HENRY BARRY

    Colchicine Effective for Idiopathic Chronic Constipation

    MARK EBELL

    Can Eating More DHA Increase Duration of Pregnancy?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Ventricular Ectopy After Treadmill Testing Predicts Mortality

    BILL ZEPF

    CPAP for Daytime Sleepiness in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Treatment of Polycythemia Vera

    CHUCK CARTER

    Hearing Assessment in Infants and Children

    SUMI M. SEXTON

    Patients with Metabolic Syndrome Benefit from Statin Therapy

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Distinguishing Anthrax from Other Respiratory Illnesses

    BILL ZEPF

    Do Ammonia Levels Correlate with Hepatic Encephalopathy?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Complications of Multiple Doses of Activated Charcoal

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Breastfeeding and Risk for Respiratory Disease in Infants

    KARL E. MILLER

    Elementary School Health Centers and Asthma Burden

    KARL E. MILLER

    Thyroid Nodule Growth Does Not Indicate Malignancy

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Adrenal Insufficiency in Acute Severe Illness

    BILL ZEPF

    Health Habits and Retained Independence in the Elderly

    BILL ZEPF

    ACE Inhibitors and ARBs Improve Patient Survival

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Practice Guidelines

    ACIP Releases 2003 Guidelines on the Prevention and Control of Influenza

    Genevieve W. Ressel

    The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued recommendations on the prevention and control of influenza for the 2003–2004 influenza season.

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey

    ACIP Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccination | AAP Guidelines on Childhood Obesity | AHRQ Checklists for Men and Women | FDA Approval

    Curbside Consultation

    The Complete Physical

    RICHARD RATHE

    The concept of the “complete” physical examination can be viewed from several perspectives.

    Letters to the Editor

    Common Causes of Night Sweats in Various Populations

    ROSLYN D. TAYLOR

    Diagnosing Night Sweats Requires Clear Definition

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

    Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a common digestive problem (say: gas-troess-off-ah-gee-al ree-flux). In GERD, acid from the stomach flows backward into the esophagus.

    Anaphylaxis

    Anaphylaxis (say “anna-full-ax-iss”) is a life-threatening allergic reaction. It starts soon after you are exposed to something to which you are allergic. You may have swelling, itching, or a rash. Some people have trouble breathing, a tight feeling in their chest, dizziness,...

    Corrections

    Correction

    The article “Evaluation of the Subfertile Man” (May 15, 2003, page 2165) contained an error regarding the size of a normal testis. On page 2167, in the second column, second line, the size of a normal testis should be 20 cm3 or more, or at least 4 cm in greatest dimension....



    Disclosure

    All editors in a position to control content for this activity, AFP journal, are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships. View disclosures.


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