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  • Articles

    An Office Approach to the Diagnosis of Chronic Cough

    W. ROSS LAWLER

    The three most common causes of chronic cough in patients who are referred to pulmonary specialists are postnasal drip, asthma and gastroesophageal reflux. A protocol is provided to assist family physicians in the evaluation and treatment of chronic cough.

    Primary Care of International Adoptees

    CHRISTOPHER S. QUARLES, JEFFREY H. BRODIE

    Family physicians often encounter international adoptees who have a wide range of medical problems not commonly seen in their U.S. counterparts.

    Sarcoidosis: A Primary Care Review

    MARK H. BELFER, R. WAYNE STEVENS

    Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disorder of unknown etiology that often presents with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, pulmonary infiltration, and ocular and skin lesions. Sarcoidosis is characterized by abnormal laboratory findings, including hyperglobulinemia, an elevated...

    Practical Management of Treatment-Resistant Depression

    ROGER J. CADIEUX

    Between 10 and 30 percent of patients with depression who are taking a single antidepressant agent are partially or totally resistant to treatment. Optimizing the dosage, lengthening the period of therapy or augmenting therapy with a second medication is often efficacious in...

    Senile Dementia of the Binswanger's Type

    CYNTHIA G. OLSEN, MARK E. CLASEN

    Senile dementia of the Binswanger's type is a possible diagnosis when brain imaging of a patient with dementia reveals disease of the subcortical white matter.

    Appropriate Use of the Intrauterine Device

    TIMOTHY P. CANAVAN

    The intrauterine device is an underutilized, reversible, cost-effective form of birth control that is safe and efficacious.

    Family Practice International

    Anne D. Walling

    (Australia—Australian Family Physician, June 1998, p. 465.) Gastroesophageal reflux is common in infants and children and should be regarded as pathologic only when it results in symptoms or tissue damage. Prolonged exposure to gastric acid damages the esophagus through...

    Inside AFP

    A Peek at the Year Before 00

    Janis Wright

    You may recall that with the January 1, 1998 issue, AFP introduced a new look. Throughout the past year, we've been gathering readers' thoughts about the new design and considering ways we could improve on it. Our research showed that the design changes were subtle enough...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Monica A. Preboth, Shyla Wright

    Do your patients need a doctor's note for morning sickness? Can they be fired without one? According to a ruling under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a doctor's note is not required to receive FMLA leave for morning sickness and, as the court pointed out, morning...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Rosemarie Sweeney, Verna L. Rose

    The November elections resulted in four family physicians being chosen to serve in the U.S. Congress. Three family physician incumbents in the House were returned to their seats this election cycle. They are: Delegate Donna Christian-Green, M.D., (D-Virgin Islands); Rep. Tom...

    Editorials

    The Family Physician and International Adoption

    DANA E. JOHNSON

    Few experiences in medicine can be more professionally and personally rewarding than a child's first visit to your office. For some parents, however, the route to your practice may not be a traditional or typical one. Last year, over 13,000 children1 arrived in their...

    IUDs: Time for a Renaissance

    DAVID A. GRIMES, DAVID HUBACHER

    As noted by Canavan in this issue of American Family Physician,1 the intrauterine device (IUD) remains a seldom-used method of contraception. Surveys of U.S. women have shown that IUDs have a poor reputation. However, the same surveys showed that women using IUDs have the...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    “Dr. Walt,” expressed the grateful patient, “It actually worked!”“Do I detect a bit of disbelief in your voice?” asked WLL. “Well, not really,” came the rejoinder, “It's just so nice to find something so old-fashioned and so effective—and so inexpensive!” With a hug and a...

    Photo Quiz

    Chronic Cough

    Marc S. Berger, TIMOTHY L. CLENNEY, THERESA FRANKLIN-BOND

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

    Conference Highlights

    Conference Highlights

    VERNA L. ROSE

    (50th Annual Scientific Assembly of the American Academy of Family Physicians) The Seven-Minute Screen, a quickly administered neurocognitive screening battery for Alzheimer's disease, is an effective tool to use in identifying patients with probable Alzheimer's disease in a...

    Curbside Consultation

    An AIDS Patient's Right to Refuse Life-Sustaining Treatment

    GWENDOLYN ROBERTS MAJETTE

    Both competent and incompetent patients have a legally protected right of autonomy. This right of autonomy includes the right to forgo medical treatment.

    Special Medical Reports

    U.S. Public Health Service Updates Guidelines for HIV Prophylaxis in Health Care Workers

    Sharon Scott Morey

    The U.S. Public Health Service has updated the guidelines for the management of occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among health care workers. The recommendations were published in the recommendations and reports series of Morbidity and Mortality...

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Verna L. Rose

    The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reports that the number of deaths related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) declined an unprecedented 47 percent from 1996 to 1997. The decrease in AIDS-related deaths from 1995 to 1996 was 29 percent. In addition,...

    Physician's Bookshelf

    Physician's Bookshelf

    ROSAIRE VERNA, CAROLINE WELLBERY, GERREN PERRY

    Book Reviews | Also Received

    Letters to the Editor

    Dealing with Loss in Multiple Pregnancies

    ELIZABETH A. PECTOR

    Pseudoneurologic Symptoms in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

    Radical Prostatectomy in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

    Tips from Other Journals

    Use of Tamoxifen to Prevent Breast Cancer: A British Trial

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Changes in Melanocytic Nevi from Ultraviolet Radiation

    BARBARA APGAR

    Timing of Administration of Tissue Plasminogen Activator

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Evaluation of the Permanence of Hair Removal by the Ruby Laser

    BARBARA APGAR

    Use of Montelukast for Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    New Treatment for Refractory Postpartum Hemorrhage

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Does Nonoxynol 9 Help Prevent STDs in Women?

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Transurethral Injections for Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency

    ANNE D. WALLING

    The Minimally Abnormal Pap Smear: Predictor of Dysplasia?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Triple Therapy: 10 vs. 14 Days for Eradication of H. pylori

    BARBARA APGAR

    Should Relatives Be Witnesses to Resuscitation Attempts?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Zinc Can Reduce Pediatric Respiratory Infections

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Treatment and Prognosis in Guillain-Barré Syndrome

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Screening for Rotavirus in Children with Diarrhea

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Carcinoembryonic Antigen as a Tumor Marker for Gastric Cancer

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Montelukast for Management of Persistent Asthma

    BARBARA APGAR

    Survival Rates in Men With Carcinoma of the Breast

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Pyelonephritis in Pregnancy: Three Antibiotic Regimens

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Can Serologic Testing Confirm Cure of H. pylori Infection?

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    More Effective Regimens for Emergency Contraception

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Intra-articular Corticosteroids for Chronic Arthritis in Children

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Efficacy of Tramadol vs. Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Perinatal Risk of Asthma Medication During Pregnancy

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Is Documentation of Child Physical Abuse Improving?

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Effects of Walking During the First Stage of Labor

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Health Aspects of International Adoption

    The process of international adoption has three main parts: finding a child, getting custody of the child, and bringing the child to the United States. Your child must have a medical exam in the country he or she is from (the host country), in order to get a resident visa (an...

    You Have Sarcoidosis: What Does This Mean To You?

    Sarcoidosis (say “sar-coy-doe-sis”) is a disease that may affect any organ or system in your body. If you have sarcoidosis, you may have no symptoms at all. Only small changes might show up on a chest x-ray, or you may have progressive failure of many organs in your body. The...

    The Intrauterine Device (IUD)

    An intrauterine device, called an IUD for short, is a small, plastic, T-shaped stick with a string attached to the end. The IUD is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor can place one in your uterus in an office visit. Once in place, the IUD stays in your...



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