• Articles

    Nightmares and Disorders of Dreaming

    J.F. PAGEL

    Nightmares and night terrors are common conditions that may be associated with psychiatric illnesses. They often respond to medication, with or without behavioral therapy.

    Acute Otitis Media: Part I. Improving Diagnostic Accuracy

    MICHAEL E. PICHICHERO

    Overdiagnosis of acute otitis media can be reduced by relying on more than fever, ear pain and redness of the eardrum to make the diagnosis. These symptoms are nonspecific for the presence of infection.

    Management of Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica

    SANDRA MESKIMEN, TONY D. COOK, ROBERT L. BLAKE, JR.

    Giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia are closely related disorders that cause significant morbidity. These disorders are best treated with corticosteroids, given in a high dosage for giant cell arteritis and in a lower dosage for polymyalgia rheumatica. Benefits and risks of...

    Acute Renal Failure

    MALAY AGRAWAL, RICHARD SWARTZ

    Etiologically, acute renal failure can be divided into three categories: prerenal, intrinsic and postrenal. A systematic approach to acute renal failure can establish the cause and facilitate optimal treatment.

    Promoting and Supporting Breast-Feeding

    JAY MORELAND, JENNIFER COOMBS

    Family physicians and their staff members can have a significant impact on the initiation and maintenance of breast-feeding.

    Hip Pain in Athletes

    SAMUEL B. ADKINS, III, RICHARD A. FIGLER

    Recognition of age-related injuries in athletes with hip complaints can aid the physician in arriving at a specific diagnosis.

    Addiction: Part I. Benzodiazepines—Side Effects, Abuse Risk and Alternatives

    LANCE P. LONGO, BRIAN JOHNSON

    Benzodiazepines are relatively safe, but chronic use may be addicting. Short-acting, high-potency agents cause dependence sooner than long-acting, low-potency agents.

    Drug Therapy for Obesity

    LORI M. DICKERSON, PETER J. CAREK

    Obesity is a common medical problem associated with an increased mortality rate and other risk factors. Weight reduction achieved through behavioral and medical therapy is associated with varying degrees of success and adverse effects.

    Recognition of Common Childhood Malignancies

    GUY YOUNG, JEFFREY A. TORETSKY, ANDREW B. CAMPBELL, ALLEN E. ESKENAZI

    The presenting signs and symptoms of cancer may be vague and nonspecific in children. Leukemias, lymphomas and central nervous system tumors account for more than one half of new cases.

    Falls in the Elderly

    GEORGE F. FULLER

    The evaluation of an elderly patient who has fallen includes an assessment for risk factors, medications, environmental hazards and medical conditions that contribute to falls. Treating the underlying cause of a fall can return the patient to baseline functioning and reduce...

    AFP 50 Years Ago

    Francis M. Rackemann, GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    This feature is part of a year-long series of excerpts and special commentaries celebrating AFP's 50th year of publication. Excerpts from the two 1950 volumes of GP, AFP's predecessor, appear along with highlights of 50 years of family medicine.

    Inside AFP

    A Special Issue, A Special Celebration: AFP Reaches Its 50th Anniversary

    Janis Wright

    Jay Siwek, M.D., editor of AFP, and his father, Stanley J. Siwek, M.D.

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    Newsletter

    Rosemarie Sweeney, Verna L. Rose

    Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News Now.

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Jessica Greene

    Wait a minute, Mr. Postman, now there's something faster! A recent report in Physician's Financial News predicts that computers will revolutionize medical practices in the near future. Despite recent advances provided by computers, such as the ordering of supplies online,...

    Editorials

    50 Years of American Family Physician

    JAY SIWEK, STANLEY J. SIWEK

    Lately, everyone has been focusing on a major milestone—the new millennium. But here at American Family Physician, we're celebrating an anniversary closer to our hearts: AFP's 50th anniversary. Throughout the year, we're featuring glimpses of what it was like 50 years ago for...

    Evidence-Based Preventive Care: A Timely Matter

    DOUGLAS B. KAMEROW

    Time is at the heart of most clinical encounters. The patient presents to the office with complaints; the time required to address those complaints often overrides the delivery of routine preventive care. Other competing priorities and barriers that jeopardize the effective...

    Tympanocentesis: To Tap or Not to Tap

    LARRY CULPEPPER

    Is tympanocentesis safe and does it improve outcomes following episodes of acute otitis media? Undoubtedly, we need to improve diagnostic strategies for acute otitis media. Several strategies recommended by Pichichero in an article in this issue of American Family Physician1...

    Yours Truly

    Yours Truly

    WILLIAM B. HILDEBRAND, ROBERT BALCH, RAY E. SMITH, ERNEST L. STEBBINS, WILLIAM ALAN RICHARDSON, FRANKLIN D. MURPHY, JOHN M. STORM, LAMBERT D. JOHNSON, JR., ARCHIBALD L. HOYNE, WILLIAM E. PASUTTI, BRUCE UNDERWOOD, GERALD G. GROSS, MAURICE E. KAHLER, F.M. POTTENGER, H.K. MARCY

    This commemorative “Yours Truly” section contains letters reproduced from the first two volumes of GP, AFP's predecessor, as part of the celebration of AFP's 50th year of publication.

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    In this part of the country, we see our share of kidney stones. While most patients proceed to the local hospital emergency department, a fair number still show up at our office. Until just recently, JRH had been in the practice of getting a urinalysis and a kidney, ureter...

    Photo Quiz

    Just a Scar?

    KATHLEEN B. ELMER, RITA M. GEORGE

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

    Tips from Other Journals

    Atherectomy vs. Angioplasty with Stent Placement

    KARL E. MILLER

    Infectious Cause of Chronic Cough in Adults

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Risk Factors for Surgery in Patients with Crohn's Disease

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Exercise in Older Adults with Major Depression

    BARBARA APGAR

    A New Screening Tool for Patients with Eating Disorders

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Use of Fungal Cultures in Diagnosing Tinea Capitis

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Foodborne Disease and Shiga Toxin-Producing E. Coli

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Topical Treatment for Patients with Raynaud's Syndrome

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Can Chronic Cough Be Treated with a Proton Pump Inhibitor?

    KARL E. MILLER

    CPAP for Reducing Ischemia in Patients with Sleep Apnea

    KARL E. MILLER

    Tube Feeding in Patients with Advanced Dementia

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN

    Chlorhexidine vs. Povidone-Iodine Skin Antisepsis for Blood Culture

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Aspirin vs. Coumadin for Atrial Fibrillation

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Safety and Effectiveness of Varicella Vaccine

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Vasovagal Syncope and Related Disorders

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Using Warfarin After Heart Valve Replacement

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Does Smoking Status Affect Bladder Cancer Recurrence?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Effects of Antimicrobial Catheters on Bacteriuria Rates

    KARL E. MILLER

    Does Estrogen Have a Positive Impact on Cardiac Function?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Appendicitis in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Methotrexate in the Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

    JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER

    Family Practice International

    Family Practice International

    ANNE D. WALLING

    (Great Britain—The Practitioner, November 1999, p. 830.) Exercise triggers symptoms in up to 80 percent of persons with asthma. Several studies have reported that 3 to 13 percent of children and young adults have exercise-induced asthma. Although exercise-induced asthma...

    Curbside Consultation

    A Potentially Violent Patient?

    HERSHEY S. BELL

    There is probably no situation more difficult for the physician than working effectively with a potentially violent patient.

    Putting Prevention Into Practice

    Adult Immunization—Pneumococcal Vaccine

    MARTIN C. MAHONEY

    JS is a 54-year-old white woman who comes to your office to establish herself as a patient. During a review of her medical history, several active medical problems come to light, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (formerly known as non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus)...

    Practice Guidelines

    ACIP Recommendations for the Prevention of Hepatitis A Through Immunization

    Monica Preboth

    The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed recommendations for the prevention of hepatitis A infection through active or passive immunization.

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Monica Preboth

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently finalized rules that define the types of statements that can be made about the effects of dietary supplements on the structure or function of the body. These rules follow the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of...

    Multimedia Review

    Multimedia Review

    GRACE BROOKE HUFFMAN, ROBERT A. SCHWARTZ, ROSAIRE VERNA

    Web Site Reviews | Book Reviews | Also Received

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Nightmares and Night Terrors in Children

    Nightmares are scary dreams. Most children have them from time to time. One out of every four children has nightmares more than once a week. Most nightmares happen very late in the sleep period (usually between 4 and 6 a.m.). Your child may wake up and come to you for comfort...

    Temporal Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica

    Temporal arteritis is the most common form of giant cell arteritis, a condition in which some arteries become tender and swollen. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen through the body.

    Breast-Feeding: Helpful Hints for You

    Breast-feeding helps prevent some problems in babies, such as ear infections, diarrhea, lung infections and urinary tract infections. Breast-fed babies go to the hospital less often. They are less likely to get adult illnesses such as diabetes. Mothers who breast-feed have...

    How Can I Lose Weight?

    We gain weight when we take in more calories than we burn off with exercise. Unless lean muscle is built by exercise, weight gain means mostly more body fat. In some cases, weight gain may also relate to our genes, the environment, our psychological state and other factors.

    What Causes Falls in the Elderly? How Can I Prevent a Fall?

    Falls are the top cause of accidents in people over the age of 65. Falls are also the main cause of serious injuries and accidental deaths in older people.



    Disclosure

    All editors in a position to control content for this activity, AFP journal, are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships. View disclosures.


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