November 15, 2005

Chest pain presents a diagnostic challenge in outpatient family medicine. Noncardiac causes are common, but it is important not to overlook serious conditions such as an acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, or pneumonia. In addition to a thorough history and physical…

The trend of body piercing at sites other than the earlobe has grown in popularity in the past decade. The tongue, lips, nose, eyebrows, nipples, navel, and genitals may be pierced. Complications of body piercing include local and systemic infections, poor cosmesis, and foreign…

Tick-borne relapsing fever is characterized by recurring fevers separated by afebrile periods and is accompanied by nonspecific constitutional symptoms. It occurs after a patient has been bitten by a tick infected with a Borrelia spirochete. The diagnosis of tick-borne…

Invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis has an average annual incidence of one case per 100,000 in the United States. The disease can be rapidly fatal or result in severe neurologic and vascular sequelae despite antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic chemoprophylaxis with…

All physicians must care for some patients who are perceived as difficult because of behavioral or emotional aspects that affect their care. Difficulties may be traced to patient, physician, or health care system factors. Patient factors include psychiatric disorders…

This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for testicular cancer and the supporting scientific evidence and updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2d ed.

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

Low doses of ezetimibe/simvastatin provide greater improvements in lipid profile than simvastatin or atorvastatin monotherapy. Ezetimibe/simvastatin may be useful in patients who are unable to tolerate high-dose statin therapy. Combination ezetimibe-simvastatin is less…

American Family Physician is fortunate to have available many resources of Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C., to support our publication. Several of the medical editors are Georgetown faculty members, including the editor, Jay Siwek, M.D. In addition…

AAFP Survey Shows Increased Use of EHR Systems by FPs | AHRQ Launches New Health Care Program | AAFP Asks Members to Join Title VII Campaign | AHRQ Rewards Over $22.3 Million for Health Information Technology | Number of Malpractice Claims Filed Reduced, but Cases More Severe…

Can crocodiles save human lives? Scientists in Australia say it’s possible. The scientists began studying the immune systems of alligators and crocodiles when they realized the animals quickly healed from violent territorial attacks that often left them wounded or limb-less…

In this issue of American Family Physician, Dr. Kimmel expertly reviews meningococcal disease and meningococcal vaccines.1

The recommendations on trial of labor versus elective cesarean delivery for women with a previous cesarean delivery, summarized in this issue of American Family Physician,1 represent the work of a policy team appointed by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP…

If current trends continue, U.S. health insurance costs will consume the average household’s annual income by 2025. As health care becomes unaffordable for most people in the United States, it will be necessary to implement innovative models to move the system in a more…

The last time I started a new job was 14 years ago. Just out of residency, I accepted a faculty position in a community hospital because I thought it would be fun to teach, because I liked the idea of varied responsibilities, and because I wanted time at home with our brand-new…

Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, resulting in extensive structural damage and severe flooding from breached levees in and around New Orleans. In the four weeks after the hurricane made landfall, a total of 7,508 illnesses and injuries were…

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has released an evidence-based clinical practice guideline on trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC).

Tramadol for Acute Pain: A Review of the Evidence

Encounter Form for Patients with Acute Knee Injuries

Body piercing is when a hole is made in your skin so you can add a piece of jewelry for decoration.

Tick-borne relapsing fever (or TBRF, for short) is an illness caused by a bite from ticks that have a germ called Borrelia (say: buh-REL-ee-uh). If you have TBRF, you probably have fevers that come and go. You also might have headaches and stomachaches. Your body might be sore…