• Articles

    Cirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure: Part I. Diagnosis and Evaluation

    JOEL J. HEIDELBAUGH, MICHAEL BRUDERLY

    Most patients with cirrhosis remain asymptomatic until the occurrence of decompensation, characterized by ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding from portal hypertension. Liver biopsy should be considered only after serologic...

    Cirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure: Part II. Complications and Treatment

    JOEL J. HEIDELBAUGH, MARYANN SHERBONDY

    Major complications of cirrhosis include ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, portal hypertension, and variceal bleeding. Therapy includes sodium restriction, diuretics, and abstention from alcohol, with empiric prophylaxis against spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and variceal...

    Avian Influenza: Preparing for a Pandemic

    GREGORY JUCKETT

    Although avian influenza A (H5N1) is not yet capable of efficient human-to-human transmission, it could become the source of the next human influenza pandemic. Pandemic preparedness involves increasing global influenza surveillance and developing strategies for containing...

    Promoting Medication Adherence in Children

    PAULA GARDINER, LANA DVORKIN

    Ensuring adherence to a medication regimen is difficult, especially when the patients are children. Simple strategies can be used by family physicians and parents to encourage adherence in young and school-age children and in teenagers.

    Inside AFP

    AFP Editors Welcome Readers at AAFP Annual Assembly

    MATTHEW J. NEFF

    The Annual Scientific Assembly of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is again upon us. This year’s Assembly begins September 25 and continues through October 1 in Washington, D.C., and will offer several thousand family physicians, residents, and students the...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    LIZ SMITH

    Senators Contest Proposed Five-Year Medicaid Cuts of $12.2 Billion | CMS Proposes Policy, Payment Changes for Physicians’ Services in 2007 | House Reviews Bill Proposing Medicare Physician Payment Reform | Labor-HHS Bill Includes $50 Million in Funds for Primary Care Training...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    SHERRI DAMLO

    Will the early bird remember to get the worm? A study that appears in Current Biology suggests that getting enough sleep may be crucial to memory, and persons who do not sleep enough each night are apt to forget learned facts. Forty-eight participants were assigned to one of...

    Editorials

    Keeping Up to Date on Avian Influenza

    LARA M. JOHNSON

    In this issue of American Family Physician, Juckett provides an excellent review of the background, history, and clinical presentation of avian influenza.1 He also gives practical tips for preparing for a potential pandemic. With surveillance measures currently in place...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s Disease

    NATHAN HITZEMAN

    A 72-year-old woman is brought into the office by her daughter, who complains that her mother has become increasingly forgetful over the past two years. On a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) she scores 20 out of 30 points, and after an appropriate evaluation you diagnose...

    Cochrane Briefs

    MARK H. EBELL

    Antibiotics for Exacerbations of COPD

    Cochrane Briefs

    MARK H. EBELL

    Antioxidants and Minerals for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Acute Low Back Pain

    BART KOES, MAURITS VAN TULDER

    What are the effects of oral drug and nondrug treatments? What are the effects of local injections?

    Photo Quiz

    Asymptomatic Yellowish Papules

    JEFF BIDINGER, ROBERT GILSON

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

    POEMs

    Clonidine and Gabapentin Effective for Hot Flashes

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Praying for Others Does Not Prevent Surgical Complications

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Early Initiation of Statins Does Not Improve ACS Outcomes

    DAVID SLAWSON, SHAHRZAD SARIRIAN

    Self-help Book Reduces Visits for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

    MARK EBELL

    Noninvasive Carotid Imaging Can Replace Invasive Imaging

    HENRY BARRY

    Naltrexone and Counseling Reduce Alcohol Dependence

    DAVID SLAWSON

    Ondansetron Effective for Gastroenteritis with Vomiting

    MARK EBELL

    Light Therapy vs. Fluoxetine for Treatment of SAD

    DAVID SLAWSON, UZMA ALI

    ACE Inhibitors Effective in Patients with CAD Without Heart Failure

    ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

    Prednisolone Effective for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

    MARK EBELL

    Tips from Other Journals

    Vitamin Supplements Do Not Prevent Preeclampsia

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Does Inhaled Steroid Therapy Benefit Patients with COPD?

    KENNETH W. LIN

    HPV Vaccine Shows Promise, at Least in Short Term

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Effect of Allergic Rhinitis Treatment on Asthma Control

    KARL E. MILLER

    Lifestyle Modifications Help Lower Blood Pressure

    KENNETH W. LIN

    Activity Restriction After Pelvic Floor Surgery?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Does Prostate Cancer Screening Reduce Mortality Rates?

    KARL E. MILLER

    Should Pacifier Use in Infants Be Discouraged?

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Early vs. Late Epidural Impact on Risk of Cesarean Delivery

    KARL E. MILLER

    Television and Sexual Initiation Among Adolescents

    KARL E. MILLER

    Vaccine May Protect Against Childhood Otitis Media

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Yield of CT Scans in Absence of Neurologic Deficits Is Low

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Physical Activity and Life Expectancy with CVD

    KARL E. MILLER

    Surgical vs. Nonsurgical Treatment of Obesity

    KENNETH W. LIN

    Metformin Useful for Treating PCOS in Adolescents

    KARL E. MILLER

    Curbside Consultation

    Obesity: Psychological and Behavioral Considerations

    ADAM GILDEN TSAI, ANTHONY N. FABRICATORE

    Assuming that medical causes of weight gain (e.g., hypothyroidism, hypercortisolism) have been ruled out, the physician should consider social, psychological, and environmental factors that may explain the patient’s weight gain and his apparent indifference.

    Practice Guidelines

    ADA Releases Standards of Medical Care for Patients with Diabetes

    CARRIE ARMSTRONG

    The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has published a position statement containing evidence-based recommendations for diabetes care, treatment goals, and tools to evaluate the quality of care.

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    LISA GRAHAM

    AGA Releases Position Statement on Management of Hepatitis C

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    LISA GRAHAM

    CDC Releases Report on Early- and Late-Onset Neonatal GBS Infection

    Letters to the Editor

    Defining and Treating Constipation in Older Adults

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Cirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure: What You Should Know

    Cirrhosis (say: sih-ROH-sis) is a disease of the liver. Normally, your liver does many things. It helps your body digest fat and break down cholesterol, gets rid of poisons like alcohol and drugs, and stores energy. It also helps your body form blood clots and scabs if you...

    Getting Your Child to Take Medicine

    There are many things you can do to make medicines taste better to your child. Put liquid medicines in the refrigerator before giving them to your child. If your child will not take a medicine because of the taste, it may be okay to mix the medicine with a small amount of...

    Melanoma: A Type of Skin Cancer

    The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow, divide, and die. Sometimes cells begin to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells. Rather than dying, these cells clump together to form tumors. If these tumors are cancerous, they can kill your body’s...

    Saving Your Skin from Sun Damage

    The sun’s rays, which are called ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays (UVA and UVB rays), damage your skin. This leads to early wrinkles, skin cancer, and other skin problems.

    Checking Yourself for Signs of Skin Cancer

    It’s a good idea to check your skin each month for signs of skin cancer. The sooner skin cancer is found, the greater the chance that it can be cured.



    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