April 1, 2004

Transient ischemic attack is considered to be a critical harbinger of impending stroke. Rapidevaluation and treatment are essential to prevent permanent disability or death.

Risk-factor management includes aggressive control of blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes mellitus, along with smoking cessation and weight loss as indicated. Aspirin is the preferred agent for stroke prevention in patients who do not require anticoagulation.

Retinal detachment is a relatively uncommon disorder. Early intervention may prevent permanentvision loss.

Empiric treatment of community-acquired pneumonia must include antibiotics that are effective against atypical pathogens, which are implicated in up to 40 percent of cases. Challenges, in addition to misdiagnosis, include failure of outpatient management and missed vaccination…

Although shoulder dystocia often occurs without warning, calm and effective management of theemergency, including the use of the HELPERR mnemonic, usually leads to successful delivery.

AFP recently reinforced its efforts in evidence-based medicine (EBM) with the addition of a new contributing editor, Henry C. Barry, M.D., M.S., who will help evaluate and apply the SOR (strength of recommendation) labeling taxonomy to review articles. The SOR taxonomy was…

FDA Releases Report on Counterfeit Drug Alert Network | AAFP Supports Racial Disparities Bill | AAFP Makes EHR Presentation at Congressional Staff Briefing | AAFP Presents Testimony on ‘Care Management Fee’ Concept | HHS Awards $595 Million for AIDS Care in Major Urban Areas…

Your patients with allergies may not be thrilled that prescription-strength allergy medication is now over-the-counter (OTC), according to survey findings cited in American Medical News. Of 239 adults surveyed, more than one half said they spent more money on allergy…

In this issue of American Family Physician, we begin an article series based on the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO®) course with an article on shoulder dystocia by Baxley and Gobbo.1 The ALSO program was developed initially at the University of Wisconsin by two…

All Americans are exposed to pesticides. Among approximately 1,900 subjects selected in 1999 and 2000 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to represent the United States population six to 59 years of age, at least 90 percent of these persons had…

Afterthoughts can often make the difference in arriving at the proper diagnosis. Sarah, a patient with diabetes, was having low back pain and diarrhea. Her pain increased during each bowel movement, and never went away entirely. She had no nausea, and no dysuria or increased…

The combination of an extended-tip spatula with an endocervical brush (Cytobrush) is the most effective method for obtaining cervical cells. Detection of endocervical cells is a good indication of adequate smears and detection of disease.

What are the effects of treatments in mania and bipolar depression? What are the effects of interventions to prevent relapse?

Case study: DS, a 55-year-old African-American man, comes into your office for a physical examination. While talking about his family history, you learn that his father had prostate cancer. DS asks if he should be tested for prostate cancer.

Vitamin C, when taken as a dietary supplement, does not appear to reduce mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease.

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

The American Cancer Society (ACS) issued a report discussing optimal nutrition and physical activity issues during the phases of cancer treatment and recovery, living after recovery from treatment, and living with advanced cancer.

Update on Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Shortage | Strength Training Among Older Adults | Pneumonia Calculator for PDAs | Strength Training Recommendations for Older Adults

This scenario presents two main issues. The first issue involves the evidence for or against the use of cerclage to prevent second-trimester pregnancy loss. The second issue is the way family physicians should interact with consultants.

A stroke happens when too little blood flows to the brain. With too little blood flow, the brain does not get enough oxygen and important nutrients.