• Articles

    Methods for Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor

    JOSIE L. TENORE

    Prostaglandins, misoprostol, oxytocin, and a variety of mechanical techniques are successful in cervical ripening and labor induction. This article reviews the evidence for their use.

    Congenital Toxoplasmosis

    JEFFREY JONES, ADRIANA LOPEZ, MARIANNA WILSON

    If Toxoplasma gondii is transmitted to the fetus, serious health problems, including mental retardation, seizures, blindness, and death, may occur. Preventive measures include educating women about not eating raw or undercooked meat, avoiding cross-contamination of other...

    Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Hip and Knee

    DENNIS A. CARDONE, ALFRED F. TALLIA

    The use of diagnostic and therapeutic injection for common hip and knee pathologies is reviewed and pictorially demonstrated.

    Diagnosing the Patient with Abdominal Pain and Altered Bowel Habits: Is It Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

    KEITH B. HOLTEN, ANTHONY WETHERINGTON, LAURIE BANKSTON

    A practical diagnostic approach is useful for the patient with suspected irritable bowel syndrome.

    Evaluation of the Subfertile Man

    PETER N. KOLETTIS

    Appropriate evaluation and treatment of male infertility are critical in delivering appropriate care to the infertile couple.

    Inside AFP

    A Farewell to Charles Smith, Jr., M.D., Deputy Editor

    Janis Wright

    As we near the end of this month, we're preparing our goodbyes for one of AFP's long-time medical editors, Charles Smith, Jr., M.D. For the past 14 years, Dr. Smith (“Charlie” to all of us) has served as deputy editor of AFP, contributing significantly to the content of the...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Sarah Evans, McNeill Heather

    Eradicating world hunger is a slow struggle. According to New Scientist, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations predicts that 440 million persons will be chronically hungry in the year 2030, down from 776 million now. This prediction revises the...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Matthew Neff

    FDA, CDC Respond to Increasing Threat of SARS | HHS Releases HIPAA-Related Documents on Patient Privacy Standards | New Research Journal, <i>Annals of Family Medicine</i>, to Debut This Month | HHS Announces $15 Million Health Initiative Focused on Prevention | Tar Wars...

    Editorials

    Labor Induction: A Decade of Change

    ELIZABETH G. BAXLEY

    In this issue of American Family Physician, Tenore1 provides a concisely written “how to” article on cervical ripening and labor induction. This is timely information for family physicians practicing maternity care, considering that the prevalence of induction has nearly...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    As I walk down the street from our family health center, a familiar elderly woman catches my eye. She beams and veers toward me. Her halting English and crooked right arm bring it all back. Mrs. Puelo is an affable woman with a history of unexplained dizziness. Months ago,...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Should Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor Be Routine?

    MELISSA NOTHNAGLE, JULIE SCOTT TAYLOR

    Active management of the third stage of labor (i.e., administration of a uterotonic medication before the placenta is delivered, early clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord, and application of controlled traction to the cord) is associated with reduced maternal blood...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Screening for Type 2 Diabetes in Adults: Recommendations and Rationale

    This statement summarizes the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for type 2 diabetes in adults and the supporting scientific evidence. They update the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services,...

    POEMs and Tips

    Use of Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Alzheimer's Disease

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Hypnotherapy Effective for Functional Dyspepsia

    MARK EBELL

    PPI Therapy Does Not Prevent Endoscopy in Dyspepsia

    MARK EBELL

    Terazosin Helpful in Patients with Chronic Prostatitis

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease Progression in Blacks

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Nitroglycerin Response Is Not a Predictor of Ischemic Etiology

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Cilostazol Improves Symptoms of Intermittent Claudication

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Asthma Medication Use and Adequacy of Asthma Control

    KARL E. MILLER

    Practice Guidelines

    AAP Releases Policy Statement on Identifying and Treating Eating Disorders

    Genevieve W. Ressel

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a statement on identifying and evaluating eating disorders; outpatient, hospital, and day-program treatment options; and prevention and advocacy suggestions.

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey

    EPA Report on Children's Health | FDA Approvals | ACCP Guidelines on Lung Cancer Treatment | ACOG/AAP Report on Infant Brain Damage

    Letters to the Editor

    Fathers Should Provide Support During Childbirth

    JOHN W. RICHARDS, JR

    Brucellar Spinal Epidural Abscess

    DEMETRIOS PAPAIOANNIDES, CHRISTOS GIOTIS, PANAGIOTIS KORANTZOPOULOS, NIKOLAOS AKRITIDIS

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Toxoplasmosis

    Toxoplasmosis (say: tox-oh-plaz-moh-sis) is an infection caused by a tiny parasite. You would need a microscope to see it.

    What Should I Know About Male Infertility?

    Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after trying for at least one year without using birth control. About 15 percent of couples are infertile.

    Low Back Pain

    Injuries, such as a muscle strain or spasm, sprains of ligaments (they attach one bone to another bone), joint problems, or a “slipped disc,” can cause pain in your lower back. The most common cause of back pain is using your back muscles in activities you are not used to,...

    When You Have a Herniated Disc

    When the soft part between the bones in the spine presses on the nerves around the backbone, it is called a herniated disc. The word “herniate” (say: her-nee-ate) means to bulge or to stick out. Sometimes this problem is called a ruptured disc.

    Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis: A Common Cause of Back and Leg Pain

    Lumbar spinal canal stenosis is a narrowing in the space in the lower spine that carries nerves to your legs. This space is very small. It gets even smaller if the bone and tissue around it grow. It takes many years for this bone and tissue to grow.



    Disclosure

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


    Tag Legend

    Legend

    CME Continuing Medical Education Credit
    POC Point-of-Care Resource
    FREE Free Access
    Alg Algorithm
    DDx Differential Diagnosis
    PtEd Patient Education