July 1, 2004

Advising travelers on vaccine-preventable illnesses is increasingly becoming the responsibility of primary care physicians. The approach to vaccine recommendations should be based on a thorough assessment of the risks for travel-related diseases, the time available before trip…

When no organic cause for dyspepsia is found, the condition generally is considered to be functional, or idiopathic. Nonulcer dyspepsia can cause a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. Many patients with nonulcer dyspepsia have multiple…

Corneal abrasions result from cutting, scratching, or abrading the thin, protective, clear coat of the exposed anterior portion of the ocular epithelium. These injuries cause pain, tearing, photophobia, foreign body sensation, and a gritty feeling. Symptoms can be worsened by…

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to significantly reduce the risk for sudden death caused by cardiac arrhythmias and all-cause mortality in patients with known coronary heart disease. Fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, and fish oil are rich sources of the omega-3 fatty…

The potential beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular health have become of substantial interest to patients, physicians, researchers, and policy makers. In this issue of American Family Physician, Covington provides a clinical review1 of…

When a woman presents with a breast complaint, initial management nearly always includes a clinical breast examination and an imaging study. Frequently, risk factors for breast cancer are assessed. Individualized risk predictions employing more formalized tools, such as the…

If you are looking at this issue of AFP and think you are seeing things, you’re right. AFP has undergone a transformation, and maybe you’ve flipped to this page to find out what’s happening. AFP has reached a new level “in design” with this issue. Readers who are curious about…

FDA Denies Over-the-Counter Status for Plan B Emergency Contraception | Two-Week Payment Delay for Noncompliant Medicare Claims Begins July 1 | AAFP and NHTSA Provide Toolkit for Assessing Older Drivers | HHS Issues Grant to AAFP for Implementing Electronic Health Records | CDC…

“Open your mouth and say aaahhh—now let me check your heart.” Cytokines produced in oral infections have been postulated to contribute to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). In a study conducted in a Finnish hospital and published in Circulation , dental factors…

“My foot really hurts,” Mona winced as she gently massaged her right heel. The middle-aged woman was devoted to walking. Rain or shine, wind or snow—it didn’t matter. She was up early every morning and walked five miles before eating breakfast. As I palpated the medial…

A regimen that includes mifepristone in a dosage of 200 mg administered orally, followed by misoprostol in a dosage of 800 mcg administered vaginally, is highly effective for medical abortion up to 63 days’ gestation. Side effects include bleeding, pain, nausea, vomiting, and…

Gowning in Newborn and Special-Care Nurseries

Intensive Management of Gestational Diabetes

What are the effects of treatments for chronic and acute asthma?

Case study: BS, a 26-year-old woman in her second trimester of pregnancy, comes to your office for routine prenatal care. She expresses concern because one of her relatives has told her that she should not breastfeed. You want to recommend breastfeeding and wonder how to…

When used to treat patients with hypertension, ACE inhibitors reduce cardiovascular and all-cause mortality as effectively as diuretics, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers.

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

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 2004–2005 influenza season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released interim guidelines for the evaluation of infants born to mothers with West Nile virus infection. “Interim Guidelines for the Evaluation of Infants Born to Mothers Infected with West Nile Virus During Pregnancy…

Travel vaccines are shots you get before you travel to another country. In some countries, especially developing countries, certain diseases are common among the people. Sometimes you can get a disease by drinking water with tiny bugs in it or by getting bitten by a bug. To…

The cornea is a thin, clear, protective shield at the front of your eye. It covers the colored part of your eye and your pupil. A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the cornea.