The Athletic Preparticipation Evaluation: Cardiovascular Assessment

ELIZABETH A. GIESE, FRANCIS G. O'CONNOR, FRED H. BRENNAN, JR., PATRICK J. DEPENBROCK, RALPH G. ORISCELLO

An objective of the athletic preparticipation examination is to identify cardiovascular abnormalities that may contribute to sudden death. the cardiovascular assessment should include a review of symptoms, a thorough patient and family cardiac history, blood pressure...

Work-Related Eye Injuries and Illnesses

W.F. PEATE

Work-related eye injuries can be prevented with proper eye protection. irrigation, initial evaluation, and foreign body removal can be performed by a family physician, with referral to an ophthalmologist when needed. allergic conjunctivitis is common in the workplace, and...

Peppermint Oil

BENJAMIN KLIGLER, SAPNA CHAUDHARY

Peppermint oil may be modestly effective in relieving some of the most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and in reducing colonic spasm during gastrointestinal procedures. Peppermint oil in combination with caraway oil may be effective in the treatment of nonulcer...

Outpatient Management of Anticoagulation Therapy

ANNE L. DU BREUIL, ELENA M. UMLAND

To effectively manage outpatient anticoagulation therapy, physicians must understand the indications for warfarin and heparin, the goals and duration of treatment, how to initiate therapy, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

Academy and AFP Offer Valuable CME Credit

JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

The Academy offers many sources of continuing medical education (CME) for members and nonmembers, including most articles published in AFP each year. The value of AAFP CME is further enhanced because the Academy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing...

Newsletter

Primary Care Organizations Agree on Principles of Medical Home | CMS Will Use Physician Data to Drive Quality Improvements | Medicare Advisory Commission Presents Report on Physician Payment | AAP Issues Policy Statement on High-Deductible Health Plans | AHRQ Finds...

Quantum Sufficit

SHERRI DAMLO

It's no April Fools' joke—your patients could be radioactive enough to set off the “dirty bomb” detectors at the airport. Every day, nearly 60,000 patients undergo radiation treatment that leaves enough radioactive material in their bodies to trigger positive responses from...

The Preparticipation Evaluation: Evolving to Enhance the Health and Safety of Athletes

DENNIS A. CARDONE

In 2005, representatives from six medical organizations (i.e., American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and...

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women

THEODORE G. GANIATS, DOUGLAS CAMPOS-OUTCALT

Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) published an update to its 2004 guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in women.1 A summary of the update is available in this issue of American Family Physician.2

Are Opioids Effective in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain?

JANELLE GUIRGUIS-BLAKE, CHRISTINA KELLY

A 70-year-old woman with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes presents with burning, bilateral pain in her legs that is worsening; she requests medication to relieve her symptoms.

Cochrane Briefs

CLARISSA KRIPKE

Decongestants and Antihistamines Do Not Relieve Symptoms of Otitis Media with Effusion

Cochrane Briefs

MARK EBELL

Effective Topical Treatments for Nongenital Warts

Parkinson's Disease

CARL E. CLARKE, A. PETER MOORE

One randomized controlled trial (RCT) in persons with early Parkinson's disease found that levodopa was effective in treating motor impairments and disability compared with placebo. This is supported by many years of clinical experience, which has led to the consensus that...

Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

CHARLES GLENDENNING, LEE KAUFMANN, TIMOTHY E. HUBER

What is the most effective oral monotherapy for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes?

An Infant with a Hypopigmented Macule

NIKHIL HEMADY, COLLEEN NOBLE

During a well-child examination, the mother of a two-month-old adopted infant expressed concern about a patch that she had recently noticed on the baby's skin. The infant had normal health, growth, and development up to this point. On examination, a solitary, ovoid,...

Smoking Ban Has Health Benefits for Bar Workers

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Calcium Supplementation May Not Benefit Healthy Children

ANNE D. WALLING

Oral Contraception Regimen and Breakthrough Bleeding

KARL E. MILLER

Constraining Healthy Limb Helps Function After Stroke

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Antibiotics for Children with Otitis Media

ANNE D. WALLING

Does Alcohol Consumption Lower the Risk of MI?

KARL E. MILLER

Fluticasone with HFA Is Effective in Preschool-Age Children

KENNETH T. MOON

Risk of Advanced Cervical Lesions After a Diagnosis of CIN 1 or Less

KARL E. MILLER

Combined Antithrombotic Therapy Increases Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

ANNE D. WALLING

Patient Education Improves Adherence to Antidepressants

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Public Opinion vs. Science Concerning Sex Education

KARL E. MILLER

Statins Beneficial for Heart Failure Patients

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Pain Relief vs. Antibiotics in Patients with Pharyngitis

AMY CRAWFORD-FAUCHER

Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse Caused by Vaginal Delivery?

ANNE D. WALLING

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for STEMI

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Long-term Outcomes of Collaborative Care for Depression

KARL E. MILLER

Physicians as Role Models

THOMAS L. SCHWENK

editor's note: This Curbside Consultation continues the discussion on physicians as role models that was started in the March 1, 2007, issue of AFP.

ACOG Releases Guidelines on Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Gynecologic Procedures

CARRIE ARMSTRONG

Guideline source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

AHA Publishes Guidelines on CVD Prevention in Women

SHERRI DAMLO

Guideline source: American Heart Association

ACOG Releases Guideline for Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage

LISA GRAHAM

Postpartum hemorrhage is responsible for almost 140,000 deaths per year worldwide and can cause serious morbidity. It can occur without warning; therefore, all physicians should be prepared to manage it properly. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)...

Management of Diabetes Should Be a Team Approach

DANIEL WEISS

Case Report: Lemierre Syndrome Presenting with Fever and Pharyngitis

WINSON Y. CHEUNG, JONATHON BELLAS

Work-Related Eye Injuries and Illnesses: What You Should Know

A work-related eye injury is an injury that you get while at work. These injuries are most likely in people who work outside, in construction, or with machinery.

Correction

The article “Retinoblastoma” (March 15, 2006, page 1039) contained an error in the legend for Figure 2 on page 1041. The figure legend incorrectly identified the figure as an ultrasound B scan of the left eye rather than a computed tomography scan. The figure legend should...