April 15, 2005

Establishing an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of dyspnea is essential to treatment and management.

Establishing an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of dyspnea is essential to treatment and management.

Pregnant women should be offered screening for infections such as asymptomatic bacteriuria, syphilis, rubella, and hepatitis B as well as human immunodeficiency virus infection. High-risk patients also should be tested for gonorrhea, hepatitis C, and chlamydial infection. Women…

Pacemaker therapy can be prescribed for a variety of reasons, including sinus node dysfunction and acquired atrioventricular block. It also is effective in preventing and treating some tachyarrhythmias and neurocardiogenic syncope.

Have you ever wondered how the editorial direction of American Family Physician is determined? There are several factors taken into consideration, including your feedback on the response cards in each issue and comments received on our Web site. The editors keep a finger on the…

Demand for Subspecialists May Jeopardize Public Health | CDC Survey Reveals Limited Use of Electronic Health Records Systems | SAMHSA Offers $12.4 Million in Grants for Child Trauma Initiative | Preventive Diabetes Care Could Save $2.5 Billion per Year | 2-1-1 Program Provides…

Most diets don't work. Anybody surprised? Study results conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, and reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, recently examined nine popular weight-loss programs, finding limited evidence for long-term success and a high cost per pound…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published recommendations for newborn screening for cystic fibrosis in the October 15, 2004, recommendations and reports series of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.1 In this report, the CDC concludes that screening for…

“I did not want to make an appointment,” the patient said, “because I was afraid to find out that I have diabetes.” This was the explanation offered by a smart, successful, 50-year-old businesswoman who had not seen a doctor in more than 10 years. She went on to tell me that…

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) last addressed screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in the 1996 Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2d ed., and made the following recommendations: all pregnant women should be screened for asymptomatic bacteriuria using…

Women using ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel can expect similar or improved effectiveness and fewer menstrual cycles. Due in part to an increased incidence of unexpected bleeding in the first six months of use, a greater percentage of women will discontinue this regimen than…

As with many conditions, single physical examination maneuvers rarely are sensitive enough to rule out disease when absent or specific enough to rule in disease when present. By themselves, these maneuvers increase or decrease the likelihood of disease slightly, and it remains…

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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released recommendations on the screening of newborns for cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is the second most common life-shortening, childhood-onset inherited disorder in the United States, behind sickle cell disease.

Improving the Quality of Care for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus | ACS Releases 2005 Edition of <i>Cancer Facts &amp; Figures</i>

When you are short of breath, it may feel like you can't catch your breath or your chest may feel tight. Often, it is worse when you exercise or are being active. It can be worse when you lie down flat. You may have other symptoms such as a cough, chest pains, or fever. If you…

Most sicknesses that happen while you are pregnant are not serious. But there are some infections that can hurt your baby, such as chickenpox, German measles, and some sexually transmitted infections.