June 1, 2004

Overweight in childhood and adolescence is an important public health issue because of its rapidly increasing prevalence and multiple associated adverse medical and social consequences. Family physicians should focus on early intervention and counseling strategies to help…

Hemolysis, which is defined as a shortened red blood cell life span, most frequently presents as anemia. Hemolytic anemia is caused by a number of acquired and inherited conditions.

Diastolic heart failure, a major cause of morbidity and mortality, is difficult to distinguish from systolic heart failure. Doppler echocardiography is best for confirming the diagnosis. Pharmacologic treatment should focus on normalizing blood pressure, promoting regression of…

Club drugs are used commonly to enhance social intimacy and sensory stimulation and as “daterape” drugs. Because of the variations in manufacturing of these drugs, they can easily cause overdose by excessive central nervous system stimulation or depression.

Sialorrhea (drooling or excessive salivation) is a condition that causes many medical and psychosocial complications. A team approach to management is most appropriate.

The illustration on the cover of this issue (above), by Mark E. Schuler, Prairie Village, Kan., shows the struggle that children face in maintaining physical fitness in a world filled with the temptations of fast foods and sedentary pleasures. Hamburgers and fries loom in front…

Legislation Clears Resident Matching Program of Antitrust Allegations | AHRQ Report States That Poor Literacy Hinders Health Care Quality | Decisions Define Scope for Chiropractors Within the VHA | CMS Reminds Medicare Providers About HIPAA Compliance | Commonwealth Fund Report…

What were the top health concerns of Americans in 2003? Of more than 900 adults surveyed for the American Cancer Society and the Trust for America's Health, 35 percent ranked the flu epidemic as their top health concern last year. The flu epidemic ranked higher than biologic or…

An evidence-based clinical practice guideline1 to inform physicians on the management of uncomplicated acute otitis media (AOM) among children ages two months through 12 years is now available. It was developed by the multidisciplinary Subcommittee on Management of Acute Otitis…

An extensive literature documents substantial rates of missed diagnoses that are detected at autopsy, including diagnoses that likely affected outcome.1–4 Physicians generally have attributed these findings to selection bias. With the national autopsy rate for nonforensic…

Chiropractors are the largest source of office-based care in the United States that does not involve a physician, but people do not view chiropractors as primary providers of health care or advice. Unlike the care given by primary care providers, the majority of care provided…

“Good evening and welcome to the six o'clock news. Tonight we're going to skip our usual sensationalistic stories and inform you of something truly important. Did you know that your children are exposed to more than 45 hours each week of various forms of electronic media, such…

“Doc, I really need help!” Tom was a huge man with hands like baseball mitts. This evening on the mobile clinic, he appeared desperate and had obviously been drinking. The triage nurses had been unable to get him to stop crying, the emotional floodgates having been opened by…

What are the effects of treatments in people with clinically diagnosed acute sinusitis?What are the effects of treatments in people with radiologically or bacteriologically confirmed acute sinusitis?

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

Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of uncomplicated acute otitis media (AOM) in children between two months and 12 years of age are available from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Statin Use After Stroke and TIA | Antioxidants Are of Little, If Any, Benefit in CVD | Educational Booklets for Older Adults

Many physicians are facing a similar dilemma because the Hispanic population is growing rapidly, and Spanish is the preferred language for many Hispanic people. The use of interpreters is a multifaceted issue.

Club drugs make users feel more open, intimate, and less shy. They are popular in nightclubs, at parties, and at raves. The most common club drugs are MDMA (“Ecstasy”), GHB (“Liquid Ecstasy”), Rohypnol (“Roofies”), and ketamine (“Special K”). They have many other names. Often…

The best way to clean a cut, scrape, or puncture wound is with cool water. You can hold the wound under running water or fill a tub with cool water and pour it from a cup over the wound.

Sometimes the person on the bike makes a mistake and causes a crash. Sometimes car drivers or loose gravel on the road cause a crash. You are more likely to be hurt seriously if you are hit by a car or if you are riding fast. Children can be hurt while doing tricks on their…

Most dogs never bite anyone. But any dog might bite if it feels threatened. Children are the most common victims of dog bites. Infants and young children should never be left alone with any dog.

Safe-sun rules are ways to protect your child's skin and reduce the risk of skin cancer later in life.