May 1, 2006

Childhood hypertension is a growing problem in the United States. It is important that family physicians be able to identify the causes and recognize and treat the stages of hypertension in children and adolescents.

This therapy is a more accessible alternative to methadone for the treatment of opioid addiction. Federal law has made it easier for physicians to initiate officebased buprenorphine treatment for opioid addiction; however, physicians have to meet certain criteria to prescribe…

Differentiating among allergic rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis, and mimicking conditions is important because therapies that are effective for allergic rhinitis may be less effective for other types. This differentiation generally can be achieved with a thorough patient history…

Although controversial, prescriptions for testosterone are becoming more common. Primarily, testosterone is used to treat sexual dysfunction in men and women.

Every issue of AFP is carefully shaped by the medical editing team, a group of family physicians dedicated to ensuring the journal's accuracy, practicality, and currency. Under the direction of Editor Jay Siwek, M.D., these talented individuals work to bring readers the best…

TransforMED Demonstration Project Will Test New Model of Care | California Adopts Policy Expanding Coverage to Unborn Children | CMS Relaxes Financing Rule for Residents in Disrupted Programs | AAFP Calls on Congress to Fund Training for Family Physicians | CDC Reports Slowing…

Civil War veterans suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Using a database managed by the University of Chicago, researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 15,000 Union Army soldiers. The researchers…

Many physicians avoid involving themselves in the treatment of addictive disorders because of poor education about addiction, limited opportunities to coordinate a patient's transition to recovery, and limited access to effective treatments.1 In this issue of American Family…

Nationwide, family physicians (FPs) deliver a smaller proportion of the outpatient care of children than they did 10 years ago. Millions of children depend on FPs for care. Family medicine should reevaluate how it will contribute to the care of the nation's children.

Two small trials have shown carbamazepine to be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain. Carbamazepine shows similar clinical effect to gabapentin (Neurontin) and phenytoin (Dilantin), but there have been no head-to-head trials directly comparing these drugs…

Sensitive and specific screening tools and effective treatments are available for depression. However, screening for depression has not been shown to increase the number of patients who receive treatment or to improve patient outcomes. This may be because the positive…

Dietary advice to lower fat and salt intake and increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and fiber produces modest improvements in cardiovascular risk factors. More intensive counseling yields greater effects.

This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for speech and language delay in preschool children and the supporting scientific evidence.

What are the effects of interventions for the relief of symptoms?

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

This case scenario brings up two issues: (1) whether the patient should undergo a risky procedure that might benefit her and (2) responsible allocation of health care resources. First, American College of Physicians (ACP) guidelines1 recommend optional bariatric surgery for…

The American Heart Association (AHA) recently released new guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiac care.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women has released recommendations to improve health care of homeless women.

Opioids (say: OH-pee-oyds) are a kind of drug. Sometimes doctors give these drugs to people to make pain go away. Some people become addicted to them.

Testosterone (say: tess-TOSS-ter-own) is a hormone found in men and women. Men have much higher levels than women. In men, testosterone can cause thick and rough hair, deep voice, and strong muscles. The right levels keep sex drive normal. Some people who need extra…