May 1, 2015

Diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder requires consideration of a broad differential, keeping in mind that comorbidities are common with these conditions. Screening and monitoring tools can aid the diagnosis. Treatment often includes medications combined…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released recommendations to help physicians provide optimal sexual and reproductive health services. Physicians should first establish rapport with patients before helping them select the most effective and appropriate…

Common nutrition myths that emphasize consuming or avoiding particular food constituents may stand in the way of a healthy diet. Consistent evidence supports recommendations to limit the consumption of ultraprocessed foods and instead to eat whole or minimally processed foods…

AAFP Challenges Payment Inequities in Primary Care, Oncology Initiatives | HHS Lays Out Multifaceted Plan to Combat Opioid Abuse | Time Running Out for Physicians to Review Open Payments Data | MedPAC Tackles Complex Issue of Low-Value Medical Services

For most of its existence, American Family Physician (AFP) came in a single format: a print journal that was delivered by mail at regular intervals. AFP continues to thrive in print, with a circulation of more than 180,000. Starting with the launch of AFP's website, we have…

Effective breastfeeding support is a fundamental component of providing family-centered care. For many years, the American Academy of Family Physicians and other leading health organizations have recommended that infants be breastfed for the first 12 months of life, and…

Surgical diskectomy can be offered to patients with refractory sciatica, but there is only modest, short-term improvement in leg pain and disability scores. Epidural steroid injections may be offered to patients with sciatica of more than six months' duration.

A 68-year-old Muslim man who was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus presented for a routine health visit. His initial A1C level was 8.2%, which decreased to 6.7% after dietary changes, exercise, and treatment with metformin (Glucophage). He stated that he wanted…

Arthroscopic repair of degenerative meniscal tears in middle-aged adults does not significantly improve long-term pain or function. Patients should do physical therapy and try to avoid surgery if possible.

The risk of bleeding increases (though remains small) when patients with atrial fibrillation are switched from warfarin to dabigatran to prevent stroke or transient ischemic attack. This study, conducted almost exclusively in male veterans, found an increase in gastrointestinal…

A girl with a history of asthma and eczema presented with burning rash on her legs after exposure to limes.

This policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides recommendations on routine screening for nonviral STIs in adolescents and young adults (25 years and younger).

The USPSTF recommends offering or referring adults who are overweight or obese and have additional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors to intensive behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthful diet and physical activity for CVD prevention.

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults.

Studies show no deaths were prevented and 1 in 5 underwent a prostate biopsy for a false-positive test. Read more.

Birth Control: What You Should Know

Help for Anxiety and Panic Disorders