• Articles

    Over-the-Counter Medications in Pregnancy

    RONALD A. BLACK, D. ASHLEY HILL

    Because some over-the-counter medications used during pregnancy may adversely affect the developing fetus, physicians should educate pregnant women on the safety and efficacy of various drugs and health products.

    Diagnosis and Management of Acute Interstitial Nephritis

    CHARLES M. KODNER, ARCHANA KUDRIMOTI

    Acute interstitial nephritis should be considered early in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure. It can be caused by medications, infections, and other clinical syndromes.

    Stinging Insect Allergy

    DAVID B. K. GOLDEN

    Epinephrine remains the treatment of choice for acute anaphylaxis subsequent to an insect sting. Because of demonstrated efficacy, venom immunotherapy is recommended for use in patients who are at risk for severe systemic reactions to future insect stings.

    The Abnormal Fontanel

    JOSEPH KIESLER, RICK RICER

    The appearance of a newborn's fontanels is an indicator of overall health, with the normal fontanel varying widely in size and time of closure.

    Splinter Removal

    CHRISTINA CHAN, GOHAR A. SALAM

    Patients frequently present to their family physicians to have painful and difficult-to-remove splinters extracted. This article discusses initial evaluation, removal techniques, and follow-up care.

    Evaluation and Treatment of Women with Hirsutism

    MELISSA H. HUNTER, PETER J. CAREK

    Although the causes of hirsutism are often not life-threatening, clinical evaluation is necessary to rule out more serious pathology. Treatment should include nonpharmacologic as well as pharmacologic therapies.

    Inside AFP

    AFP Welcomes a Second Sister Journal: Annals of Family Medicine

    Janis Wright

    The editors of AFP have had the pleasure of observing the births of two sister publications: Family Practice Management, whose first issue was delivered almost 10 years ago in the fall of 1993, and now Annals of Family Medicine, whose first issue just crossed our desks this...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    Sarah Evans, Heather McNeill, Shab Vakil

    Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) may benefit women's voices, according to a small study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Researchers compared the voice stability (frequency and amplitude variations) of six OCP users and six non-OCP users and found that the women who...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Matthew Neff

    Web Sites Expand Health Information for Asian and Pacific Americans | Consensus Report Identifies 30 Patient Safety Practices for Health Care Settings | Sexual Issues Are Top Health Concern for American Adolescents and Young Adults | Report Shows That 25 Percent of American...

    Editorials

    Information on Medication Use in Pregnancy

    KATHLEEN UHL, DIANNE L. KENNEDY, SANDRA L. KWEDER

    In this issue of American Family Physician, Black and Hill1 review the safety profiles of many over-the-counter (OTC) medications in pregnancy. This is important considering the approximately 6 million pregnancies that occur in the United States annually,2 and it is not...

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    Diary from a Week in Practice

    “Thank goodness that horrible crawling sensation in my legs has gone away completely,” reported the 66-year-old woman. She had been hospitalized a month earlier with microcytic anemia, which ultimately was diagnosed as chronic gastritis secondary to nonsteroidal anti...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Behavioral Counseling in Primary Care to Promote a Healthy Diet: Recommendations and Rationale

    This statement summarizes the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on counseling to promote a healthy diet in primary care patients and the supporting scientific evidence, and it updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to...

    POEMs and Tips

    Cardiac Resynchronization Reduces Mortality from CHF

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Topiramate for Obesity-Related Binge Eating Disorder

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Topical NSAIDs of Little Benefit for Corneal Abrasion

    ALLEN SHAUGHNESSY

    Uterine Fibroids Are Common in Middle-Aged Women

    LINDA FRENCH

    Alternative Antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infections

    BILL ZEPF

    Dual Therapy for the Prevention of Alcoholism

    KARL E. MILLER

    Severe Perineal Laceration During Vaginal Delivery

    KARL E. MILLER

    Relationship Between Chronic Pain and Major Depression

    KARL E. MILLER

    Emergent Neuroimaging for New-Onset Afebrile Seizures

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    BNP as a Screen for Heart Failure in the General Public?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Is Arthroscopic Debridement Helpful in Knee Osteoarthritis?

    RICHARD SADOVSKY

    Oral or IV Rehydration in Children with Gastroenteritis

    KARL E. MILLER

    Prophylaxis Against Contrast-Mediated Renal Toxicity

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Is Early Cannabis Use a Risk Factor for Later Drug Abuse?

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Estrogen Does Not Benefit Women Who Survive MI

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Ultrasonography in Screening for Congenital Hip Dysplasia

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Microbiologic Testing in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia

    KARL E. MILLER

    Use of an ACE Inhibitor for Migraine Prophylaxis

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Practice Guidelines

    CDC Updates Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Infections with Hepatitis Viruses in Correctional Settings

    Matthew J. Neff

    The National Center for Infectious Diseases recently issued consolidated and updated guidelines for the prevention and control of infections with hepatitis viruses in juvenile and adult correctional settings.

    Clinical Briefs

    Clinical Briefs

    Carrie Morantz, Brian Torrey

    AHRQ Report on Allergic Rhinitis | AAP Statement on Home Apnea Monitors | AHRQ Report on Ineffective Treatment of Bronchiolitis | FDA Approvals

    Letters to the Editor

    Severe Hyponatremia as a Result of Thiazide Diuretic

    SAMANTHA NEWBOULD

    Alternative Diagnoses That Often Mimic Cellulitis

    MATTHEW J. HEPBURN, DAVID P. DOOLEY, MICHAEL W. ELLIS

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Kidney Failure

    The kidneys are a pair of organs located just behind the stomach. They filter bacteria and extra salt and water from the body. The kidneys stop working when illness or injury keeps them from filtering properly. In kidney failure, these bacteria and salts build up and can have...



    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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