• Articles

    Ambulatory Devices for Chronic Gait Disorders in the Elderly

    FREDERICK W. VAN HOOK, DALE DEMONBREUN, BARRY D. WEISS

    Devices such as canes, crutches, and walkers assist with ambulation by enhancing the patient's balance and ability to bear weight. Physicians who know how to select a device can give appropriate assistance to their patients who are in need of ambulatory assistance.

    Diagnosis and Treatment of Sick Sinus Syndrome

    VICTOR ADÁN, LOREN A. CROWN

    Sick sinus syndrome, which comprises a variety of conditions involving sinus node dysfunction, typically affects elderly patients.

    Premenstrual Syndrome

    LORI M. DICKERSON, PAMELA J. MAZYCK, MELISSA H. HUNTER

    Premenstrual syndrome is characterized by emotional and physical symptoms that consistently occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Women with more severe affective symptoms are classified as having premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

    Valerian

    SUSAN HADLEY, JUDITH J. PETRY

    Valerian, a traditional herbal remedy for mild to moderate insomnia, is safe and well tolerated. It may be useful in the treatment of mild anxiety states and as an aid in benzodiazepine withdrawal.

    Inside AFP

    An Update on Bioterrorism

    Janis Wright

    We will soon publish some reading that you may want to add to your “must do”list—watch for an upcoming update on bioterrorism in the May 1 issue of AFP. This article reviews the six biologic disease agents considered of highest priority by the Working Group on Civilian...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Sarah Evans, Heather McNeill

    1–2–3. It may be that easy to tell if someone is having a stroke. As reported in The New York Times, a study presented at a conference of the American Stroke Association showed that stroke can be identified using a three-step test that takes only a minute to conduct. Patients...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Matthew Neff

    HHS Report Shows U.S. Life Expectancy Reached New High of 77.2 Years | Health-Related Issues Receive Emphasis in Senate's Agenda for 2003 | President Bush Approves $7 Billion Budget for HRSA | Bilingual Helpline Created to Connect Hispanic Families with Health Services |...

    Editorials

    ACS Guideline for the Early Detection of Cervical Cancer

    MARTIN C. MAHONEY, DEBBIE SASLOW, CARMEL J. COHEN

    The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently published updated recommendations1 for the early detection of cervical cancer; this topic was last reviewed in 1987. The guidelines are based on a literature review combined with expert opinion when sufficient evidence was not...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    “I have good news and bad news,” TA reported to her 45-year-old patient. “The good news is that your lipid profile looks fantastic. The bad news is that you'll have to continue your diet.” For more than a year now, she had been treating this patient for severe hyperlipidemia,...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Is Oral Sucrose an Effective Analgesic in Neonates?

    JASMINE CHEN GATTI

    The use of oral sucrose, with or without pacifiers, has been shown to relieve pain in neonates, as assessed by physiologic and behavioral pain indicators and pain scores.

    U.S. PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE: RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATIONALE

    Screening for Cervical Cancer: Recommendations and Rationale

    This statement summarizes the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for cervical cancer and the supporting scientific evidence. They update the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, second...

    POEMs and Tips

    Topical Nifedipine Plus Lidocaine Gel Effective for Anal Fissures

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Probiotics Use Decreases Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

    ALLEN SHAUGHNESSY

    Permethrin Cream Useful in the Treatment of Rosacea

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Breast Self-Examination Does Not Reduce Mortality

    HENRY BARRY

    Trial of Triple Dye vs. Dry Care for the Umbilical Stump

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Use of Pulmonary-Artery Catheters in Surgery Patients

    BILL ZEPF

    Beta-Blocker Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure

    CHUCK CARTER

    Hormone Treatment and MI in Women with Diabetes

    SUMI M. SEXTON

    Sildenafil for Antidepressant-Associated Sexual Dysfunction

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Sildenafil for Antidepressant-Associated Sexual Dysfunction

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Stimulants for ADHD Do Not Cause Substance Abuse

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Diagnostic Strategy: Suspected Pulmonary Embolism

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Can Statins Slow the Progression of Aortic Stenosis?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Is Digoxin Harmful in Women with Heart Failure?

    BILL ZEPF

    Discontinuing Inhaled Steroids in COPD Patients

    CHUCK CARTER

    Increased Risk of Endocarditis After Navel Piercing

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Fine-Needle Aspiration Makes Frozen Section Unnecessary

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Liver Disease Is Common in Asymptomatic HCV Infection

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    ‘Ionized’ Wrist Bracelets for Musculoskeletal Pain

    CHUCK CARTER

    Combination Therapy Lowers LDL Cholesterol Levels

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Combination Therapy Lowers LDL Cholesterol Levels

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Self-Help Material Does Not Encourage Smoking Cessation

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Single vs. Sequential Multidose Asthma Treatments

    KARL E. MILLER

    Outcome Predictors in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

    BILL ZEPF

    Fluconazole Is More Effective for Treating Thrush in Infants

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Opioids in the Palliative Treatment of Dyspnea

    KARL E. MILLER

    Paroxetine Effective in Treatment of Social Anxiety

    KARL E. MILLER

    Practice Guidelines

    CDC Releases Guidelines for Treating Adverse Reactions to Smallpox Vaccination

    Carrie A. Morantz

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for diagnosing and treating adverse reactions to smallpox vaccination in the preoutbreak setting. Smallpox vaccine is made from live vaccinia virus but does not contain variola virus, which causes...

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey

    Smallpox Vaccine in Persons with Eczema | FDA Statement on Counterfeit Procrit | CDC Report on Pregnancy-Related Mortality | AAP Statement on Emergency Care of Children

    Letters to the Editor

    Letters to the Editor

    Anticoagulant Use in Patients with Risk of Falling

    Letters to the Editor

    The Importance of Taking an Occupational History

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    What You Should Know About Sick Sinus Syndrome

    Sick sinus syndrome is the name for several conditions in which the sinus node does not work the right way. The sinus node is a natural pacemaker in your heart that helps your heart beat steadily. An electric current starts in one of the upper chambers (called the atria) of...

    Coronary Artery Disease: How Your Diet Can Help

    The vessels that bring blood to the heart are called the coronary arteries. They are like narrow tubes. A fatty substance called plaque (say this: plak) can build up in these arteries and make them narrow, so less blood gets to the heart. This is called coronary artery...

    Coronary Artery Disease: Reducing Your Risk

    Coronary artery disease (it's called CAD, for short) is sometimes called coronary heart disease. A coronary artery is a blood vessel that carries blood to your heart. An artery is like a narrow tube.

    Cholesterol

    Cholesterol is a substance that is in all of us. Our bodies make cholesterol. It is also in meat and dairy foods. Plant foods do not have cholesterol. Most of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver from saturated fat in the food you eat.



    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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