March 1, 2011

Functional dyspepsia is defined as the presence of postprandial fullness, early satiation, or epigastric pain or burning in the absence of causative structural disease. A detailed history and physical examination can rule out serious conditions. Early endoscopy is appropriate…

Systemic vasculitis is characterized by inflammation of blood vessel walls, and is difficult to diagnose because the clinical manifestations mimic other conditions. Diagnosis relies on the recognition of a compatible clinical presentation supported by specific laboratory or…

When patients switch from one contraceptive method to another, it may be necessary to overlap the old and new methods until the new method reaches full effectiveness. To switch safely between methods without overlap, women must abstain from intercourse or use a barrier method…

Surgical Care Improvement Project performance measures to prevent surgical site infections provide evidence-based recommendations for appropriately selecting, administering, and discontinuing prophylactic antibiotics for patients undergoing clean-contaminated surgeries.

AAFP, Other Organizations Support Medical Liability Reform Legislation | AAFP Joins in Letter to IOM About Practice Scope of APRNs, Criticizes Related Webinar | USPSTF Osteoporosis Recommendations Updated to Call for Younger Screening Age | Family Physicians Report Payment…

We know that the number of persons receiving services for autism spectrum disorders has increased substantially since the early 1990s, but are there really more children today with the cluster of behaviors that make up the autism spectrum disorders than there were in the past?

When used in conjunction with detoxification and psychosocial interventions for treating alcohol dependence, acamprosate can reduce the risk of any return to drinking and improve cumulative abstinence rates.

Although providing stage-based smoking cessation interventions for those trying to quit appears to be more effective than not intervening at all, the evidence does not support tailoring interventions to a patient's perceived motivational stage of change.

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

Chest pain can be caused by conditions that range from benign and self-limited (e.g., chest wall pain) to serious (e.g., anxiety disorder) or life-threatening (e.g., unstable angina, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism). Accurate identification of life-threatening and serious…

The behavior of this patient is nonsuicidal self-injury, defined as the intended destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent. Nonsuicidal self-injury is a common biopsychosocial disorder observed in adolescents.

Iron is the most common single-nutrient deficiency among children in developing countries and is a common cause of anemia in industrialized nations. A report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides information on the diagnosis and prevention of iron deficiency…

Letter

Letter

Dyspepsia (dis-PEP-se-ah) is another name for indigestion. It can cause bloating, or make you feel full too early when you eat. It may also cause acid reflux (a burning pain that moves up from your stomach into your chest), nausea, or vomiting.

It is important to go straight from one birth control method to the next, with no gaps in between. This will help lower your chance of getting pregnant.

An allergy is when your body overreacts to things that don't cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens. Some food and medicines can cause serious allergic reactions. Allergens in the air usually cause more common symptoms, such as runny nose, watery eyes…

An allergy shot contains a very small amount of what you are allergic to (called an allergen). Common allergens include mold and pollen from grasses, ragweed, and trees. For example, if you are allergic to grass pollen, a small amount of the pollen is put into the shot.