May 1, 2007

Patient history and physical examination should direct diagnostic testing decisions for patients presenting after a first seizure. All patients should receive electroencephalography. Neuroimaging should be performed in all adults and in children with risk factors.

Hearing loss may affect asmany as three out of every 1,000 newborns in the United States. Universal newborn hearing screening helps to identify hearing impairment in newborns with or without risk factors.

The causes of pleuritic chest pain range fromlife-threatening to benign, and serious causes must be ruled out first. History, physical examination, and chest radiography are recommended for all patients. Treatment consists of pain management with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory…

The initial management of hypertriglyceridemia should include counseling patients about therapeutic lifestyle changes and screening for metabolic syndrome and other acquired or secondary causes. After adequate initiation of therapeutic lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy with…

A new report from PERQ/HCI Corp. indicates that the Web sites for the Academy's journals American Family Physician and Family Practice Management rank among the top 10 Web sites for medical journals. PERQ/HCI studies readership of medical journals (print and online) by…

Report Examines Federal Perceptions of Sustainable Growth Rate Formula | Organizations Tell CMS That Volunteer Preceptor Rule Needs Revision | CMS Extends Deadline for Use of National Provider Identifiers | Colorado Bill Requires Transparency in Health Insurers' Contracts | CMS…

In the United States, two out of three homicide victims are killed with firearms. Because little is known about the role of household firearms in homicides, the authors of a study appearing in Social Science and Medicine sought to examine a possible association. Analyzing data…

Family physicians encounter patients with a broad array of medical problems. The bio-psychosocial model encourages us to explore the impact of these problems on patients' abilities to function within daily spheres of life—family, friends, work, and school—to help them…

Adolescent pregnancy (i.e., in females 13 to 19 years of age) is associated with an increased risk of maternal complications during pregnancy and delivery, as well as increased risk to the fetus and neonate. Complications associated with adolescent pregnancy include preterm…

Exercise leads to a weight loss of 1 lb, 2 oz to 16 lb, 12 oz (0.5 to 7.6 kg), compared with a 3-oz (0.1-kg) weight loss to a weight gain of 1 lb, 9 oz (0.7 kg) with no treatment. Patients participating in higher-intensity exercise lose 3 lb, 5 oz (1.5 kg) more than those…

Tramadol Relieves Neuropathic Pain

Nonpharmacologic vs. Anticholinergic Therapies for Overactive Bladder

What are the effects of topical treatments for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, face and body in adults?

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

In the United States, 28 percent of primary care physicians use EHRs, and another 31 percent plan to implement the system within the next year.

Guideline source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

If you have problems in your brain, you might have a seizure (SEE-zher). During a seizure you might jerk or shake. You might repeat movements like smacking your lips or grinding your teeth. After a seizure, most people feel sleepy or confused.

Hypertriglyceridemia (HIGH-pur-try-gliss-er-eye-DEEM-ee-uh) is when you have too much fat in your blood. This fat is called triglycerides. People with high triglycerides usually do not have symptoms. Sometimes it causes heart and liver problems. Hypertriglyceridemia also can…