August 1, 2013

Diabetic foot infection is a common complication in persons with diabetes mellitus, and is a common cause of nontraumatic lower extremity amputations. It is diagnosed clinically based on the presence of at least two classic findings of inflammation or purulence. Treatment is…

Childhood cancer, although rare, is the second most common cause of mortality among children in developed countries. Many of the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer mirror those of benign conditions. Worrisome or persistent red flag symptoms should be investigated thoroughly…

Measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone can identify conditions that may cause hyperfunctioning of the thyroid. For all other conditions, ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration are central to the diagnosis. Lesions larger than 1 cm should be biopsied.

AAFP to Congress: Immigration Reform Should Enhance Access to Health Care Services | Report Finds Mixed Results for Family Physicians in Meaningful Use of EHRs | Survey Raises Concern Over Physicians' Readiness for ICD-10 Implementation | More Accountability Needed in GME…

The Choosing Wisely campaign provides key clinical recommendations for physicians and patients that promote best practices and help avoid unnecessary medical interventions.

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.

For some groups of patients at greater risk of HIV infection (e.g., serodiscordant partners, men who have sex with men and engage in high-risk behaviors, persons with multiple concurrent sex partners, persons who exchange sex for money), preexposure prophylaxis decreased the…

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

In a high-risk population, a Mediterranean diet, supplemented with either nuts or olive oil, reduces the likelihood of a composite outcome of cardiovascular events or death over a five-year follow-up period (number needed to treat = 70). The relative risk reduction is…

Children and adolescents who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, and those with gender nonconformity or gender discordance may be affected by negative attitudes, putting them at risk of certain mental health conditions. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP…

Letter

If you have diabetes, you can develop sores or wounds on your feet. These sores are called ulcers. If a foot ulcer does not heal, it could get infected. However, if you watch your diabetes carefully and take good care of your feet, you can usually prevent infection. Here are…

The thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck, just above the breastbone (see drawing). It controls your body temperature and the rate at which your body uses calories.