October 1, 2010

Acute sigmoid diverticulitis should be suspected in patients with left lower-quadrant pain, fever, and leukocytosis. Imaging is helpful in evaluating left lower-quadrant pain, and is generally guided by the clinical presentation.

Family physicians may be the first to see patients with life-threatening dermatologic conditions such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, necrotizing fasciitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Early recognition of these conditions and immediate treatment…

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a disorder of abnormal blood vessel formation that manifests as telangiectasias and arteriovenous malformations. Genetic testing may be performed if a first-degree relative has the disease. Treatment depends on each patient's unique…

When counseling menopausal patients about hormone therapy and alternative treatments, physicians should understand the benefits and risks and the key differences among various delivery systems.

AAFP Among Organizations Protesting Proposed Tax Law Change | HHS Expands Medicare's Coverage of Counseling for Tobacco Cessation | Vaccination Rates Continue to Increase for U.S. Teens, According to CDC Survey | Medical Journal Editors Update Author Disclosure, Conflict of…

The bottom line in caring for patients with osteoporosis is that monitoring for treatment effect is appropriate and desirable. A statistically significant BMD loss may lead to further evaluation and possibly a change in treatment. The strategy of monitoring therapy with BMD…

Unless the physician knows how to adjust therapy based on repeat DXA, monitoring osteoporosis treatment via DXA is unlikely to be clinically necessary or beneficial. Currently, we assume that if the patient has not had a fracture and the BMD significantly increases, then no…

Currently, there is no high-quality evidence to support the immunization of health care personnel in long-term care facilities to reduce the spread of seasonal influenza to older residents. Immunization of personnel did reduce influenza-like illness and all-cause mortality in…

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

The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.

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

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT; HEM-or-RAJ-ick tell-AN-jee-eck-TAY-zhuh) is a genetic disorder of the blood vessels. It is also called Osler-Weber-Rendu disease. People with HHT have abnormal blood vessels that tend to burst open and bleed.

Menopause (MEN-oh-pawz) is when a woman's ovaries make less estrogen and other hormones. It is a normal part of aging. This usually starts around age 50, but can also happen earlier or later. It may take several years for menopause to occur because the ovaries may slowly make…