February 1, 2018

Although their exact cause is unknown, hemorrhoids are associated with conditions that increase pressure in the hemorrhoidal venous plexus. Many patients are asymptomatic, but others may present with painless bright red bleeding, prolapse, soiling, or itching. Internal…

The most common types of tremor encountered in primary care are enhanced physiologic tremor, essential tremor, and parkinsonian tremor. Asymptomatic physiologic tremor is a low-amplitude, high-frequency tremor that may occur with anxiety, medication use, caffeine intake, or…

Childhood bullying can lead to lasting effects for the victim and the bully. Bully-victims (victims who reactively bully others) are at particularly high risk. Family physicians can make a difference by screening early for bullying, recognizing signs of bullying, and supporting…

AAFP's Alternative Payment Model Wins Testing Recommendation | FDA Proposes New Approach to Regulating Homeopathic Drugs | Research Suggests Strategies for Breaking the Interruption Cycle in Clinical Practice | FDA Finalizes Ban on Triclosan, Other Over-the-Counter Antiseptics

Twenty-three years ago and from 1,000 miles away, I received a request from a student at the University of Miami to take a one-month elective in medical editing. Shortly after I became editor of American Family Physician (AFP) in 1988, I offered that elective at the Georgetown…

Having the opportunity to serve as editor-in-chief has been a goal—well, actually a dream—of mine since I began my medical editing fellowship in 2000. At some point in my career, I wasn't sure this goal was achievable anymore because I was entrenched in the hustle and bustle of…

There is low-quality evidence that corticosteroid injections slightly reduce heel pain at one month, but they make no significant difference beyond that time. Patients treated with corticosteroid injections were less likely to experience treatment failure—a designation that was…

Skin-to-skin care, also known as kangaroo care, effectively reduces physiologic and behavioral measures of pain in neonates during painful procedures and has no identified adverse effects. Infants who received skin-to-skin care during painful procedures had a heart rate of 10.8…

How effective are interventions to prevent and treat Clostridium difficile infection?

Physicians should consider nonopioid options for postsurgery pain to avoid the unpleasant effects of of withdrawal and risk of dependence.

A 60-year-old woman with a history of nonverbal autism, intellectual disability, and quadriplegia presented with a nonhealing erosion of the left distal index finger and skin changes involving both hands. The patient was unable to provide further history.

Each year, the American Cancer Society (ACS) releases guidelines for health care professionals and patients on current cancer screening recommendations. The annual report updates previous recommendations, provides data on cancer screening rates, and discusses issues relating to…

Although beta blockers seem to have a positive impact on patient-oriented evidence that matters in patients with hypertension, they appear to be inferior when compared with other medications.

ACL injury prevention programs reduce the incidence of ACL injuries by at least 50% in a variety of sports, and should be used for all athletes. There is no evidence that any particular prevention program or component is superior.

Detrusor muscle injections of onabotulinumtoxinA can be used to decrease the number of episodes of urinary incontinence in women for whom treatment with anticholinergic agents has been ineffective.