May 1, 2009

The most recent guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program focus on assessing asthma severity at the initial evaluation, and asthma control at all subsequent visits. Severity and level of control are defined by current impairment and future risk.

CAM Zinc supplementation may be effective for the treatment of diseases that cause zinc deficiency, the management of Wilson disease, and the prevention of upper respiratory infection and childhood diarrhea in developing countries. Zinc may also help slow the progression of age…

The four major types of cardiomyopathy are dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular. Symptoms are similar to those of heart failure. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, implantable cardioverterdefibrillators, cardiac…

Patients with generalized anxiety disorder tend to worry constantly and have excessive anxiety. Treatment includes cognitive behavior therapy and medication. Helping patients understand that anxiety is a manageable medical condition is essential.

In this issue of American Family Physician, Pollart and Elward present a review of the new 2007 asthma guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.1,2 As a member of the panel that developed these guidelines, here is what I consider to be their highlights…

NACHC Finds Steep Increase in Number of Patients Without Access to Primary Care | Study Shows Patients Who See Family Physicians Receive Cost-Effective Care | Retail Health Clinic Chain Offers Free Acute Care Services to Newly Unemployed | Health Insurer Implements New Fee…

Nonmalignant chronic pain is a common, yet challenging, health problem.1 Numerous factors over the past decade have put primary care physicians in a central role in the management of this pain.

Although there is some evidence that antibiotics are effective in the treatment of acute uncomplicated sinusitis, this benefit is modest. Most patients with acute sinusitis improve within two weeks without antibiotics. The potential risk of adverse effects from antibiotics may…

Compared with placebo or sham, custom-made foot orthoses modestly reduce foot pain from pes cavus (high arch), arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and painful hallux valgus. However, there is no evidence that custom orthoses are more effective than prefabricated ones.

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

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently released guidelines on treatment of low bone mineral density (BMD) or osteoporosis to prevent fractures describes the available evidence on pharmacologic treatment in men and women.

Cardiomyopathy (CAR-dee-oh-my-AH-puh-thee) is a condition that affects your heart. It can have many causes. It may be caused by coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), high blood pressure, infections, certain medicines, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or drinking too much…

It is normal to feel nervous and to worry from time to time. But, if your worrying occurs daily, is hard to control, and leads to other symptoms, you may have generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Some people may also have headaches, back pain, sweating, nausea, and stomach…

Asthma (AZ-muh) is a long-term lung disease that causes your breathing tubes to narrow. Many things can cause an asthma attack, including allergies, infections, and weather changes. Asthma causes wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of…