• Articles

    Evaluation of Nausea and Vomiting

    KEITH SCORZA, AARON WILLIAMS, J. DANIEL PHILLIPS, JOEL SHAW

    The etiologies of nausea and vomiting include iatrogenic or infectious causes, gastrointestinal disorders, and central nervous system or psychiatric conditions, and can often be determined from a comprehensive history and physical examination. Evaluation should focus first on...

    Dupuytren's Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment

    THOMAS H. TROJIAN, STEPHANIE M. CHU

    This progressive condition causes the fibrous tissue of the palmar fascia to shorten and thicken, which slowly progresses to contracture of the fingers. Treatment decisions should be based on the extent of the contracture and functional impairment.

    Cysticercosis: An Emerging Parasitic Disease

    ROBERT KRAFT

    Diagnosis of cysticercosis in the United States requires a high index of suspicion. Symptoms can include seizures, headaches, focal neurologic symptoms, visual disturbances, skeletal muscle nodules, and pain.

    Responses to Medical Students' Frequently Asked Questions About Family Medicine

    AMY L. McGAHA, ELIZABETH GARRETT, ANN C. JOBE, PETER NALIN, WARREN P. NEWTON, PERRY A. PUGNO, NORMAN B. KAHN, JR.

    This article provides answers to many questions medical students ask about the specialty of family medicine. It discusses the benefits of primary care and family medicine to communities, the education and training of family physicians, the scope of medical practice in the...

    Inside AFP

    Talented Illustrators Enhance the Appearance of AFP

    JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

    One of the things that distinguishes AFP from most other medical journals is the quality of our medical illustrations. It was what set AFP apart 60 years ago, and it continues to be an industry standard of which we are proud. For this, we're indebted to a special and very...

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Medical Malpractice Legislation Gains Traction in House, Senate | PQRI Allows Physicians to Qualify for 1.5 Percent Medicare Bonus | Special Constituency Representatives Tackle Diverse Issues | War Funding Bill Halts CMS Proposal to End Medicaid Graduate Education | IRS...

    Quantum Sufficit

    Quantum Sufficit

    SHERRI DAMLO

    Will a short walk help curb your patients' nicotine cravings? Study results published in Addiction suggest that it could. The authors of the study reviewed 12 articles showing that exercising for five minutes or more may reduce cigarette cravings. Brisk walking was also shown...

    Editorials

    Inspiring Future Family Physicians: The Challenge Is Ours

    MARGUERITE DUANE, LINDA STONE, RICH SISSON

    Although the primary objective of American Family Physician is to provide updates on clinical conditions managed by family physicians, the journal periodically addresses matters pertinent to the future of the specialty. The article by Dr. McGaha and colleagues in this issue...

    Graham Center Policy One-Pager

    Will Medical School Expansion Help Diversify the Physician Workforce?

    The racial/ethnic composition of U.S. medical schools does not reflect the U.S. population. With proper planning, the current medical school expansion could improve physician diversity and reduce health disparities.

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    ACE Inhibitors vs. ARBs for Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease

    JUSTIN BAILEY

    Studies comparing ACE inhibitors or ARBs with placebo found no mortality benefit in patients with diabetic kidney disease. A subgroup analysis of five studies (2,034 total patients) found that, when given at full or maximally tolerated doses, ACE inhibitors reduce all-cause...

    Exercise for Older Patients Who Are Acutely Hospitalized

    SUZANNE MEYER

    The effects of exercise interventions on functional outcomes are unclear, but there is a trend toward functional improvement. Multidisciplinary interventions that include exercise also show several other benefits, including reduction in length of hospitalization and hospital...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Routine Aspirin or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for the Primary Prevention of Colorectal Cancer: Recommendation Statement

    This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on routine aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the primary prevention of colorectal cancer and the supporting scientific evidence.

    Clinical Evidence Handbook

    Headache (Chronic Tension-Type)

    NICHOLAS SILVER

    What are the effects of drug and nondrug treatments for chronic tension-type headache?

    Photo Quiz

    Red-Blue, Umbilicated Nodules on the Fingers

    OGUZ KARABAY, NADIR GOKSUGUR

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

    FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

    Evaluation of Apparent Life-Threatening Events in Infants

    JOHANNA WARREN, FRANCES BIAGIOLI, ANDREW HAMILTON, PETE C. SMITH

    A comprehensive, detailed history and physical examination with pulse oximetry and nondilated funduscopy (to look for traumatic retinal hemorrhage) helps to determine the underlying etiology of an ALTE in 70 percent of infants.

    Tips from Other Journals

    Trastuzumab Reduces Mortality in HER2–Positive Breast Cancer

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Bone Mineral Density May Be Negatively Affected by Weight Loss

    KARL E. MILLER

    Effect of Folic Acid Supplementation on Cardiovascular Disease

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Is Midodrine Effective for Children with Vasovagal Syncope?

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Curbside Consultation

    Responding to a Patient's Request to Pray

    GOWRI ANANDARAJAH, ROGER MENNILLO

    This complex scenario poses many challenges. At first glance, it seems to just be about prayer—should the physician pray with a patient? However, on closer inspection it becomes clear that this scenario is about successfully balancing the patient's beliefs and stated needs...

    Practice Guidelines

    Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Tick-Borne Rickettsial Diseases

    AMBER HUNTZINGER

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne rickettsial diseases. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), and Ehrlichia...

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    Practice Guideline Briefs

    CARRIE ARMSTRONG

    AAN Guidelines on Reporting Medical Conditions That May Affect Driving Competency

    Preventing Premature Discontinuation of Thienopyridine Therapy

    SHERRI DAMLO

    Thienopyridine therapy is recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for patients who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Prematurely discontinuing antiplatelet therapy increases the risk of stent thrombosis...

    Letters to the Editor

    Removal of Cerumen from Ear Canal Using Lighted Curettes

    JONATHAN PEVSNER

    Is Weight Loss Sustainable with a Low-Carbohydrate Diet?

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Dupuytren's Disease: What You Should Know

    Dupuytren's (du-pwe-TRAHZ) disease is when skin on your hand thickens and shortens. A small, hard bump will appear on your palm. The bump doesn't hurt, but it will get bigger, and it may start to pull some of your fingers toward your palm (see drawing).

    Cysticercosis: What You Should Know

    Cysticercosis (sis-tuh-ser-KO-sis) is an infection caused by tapeworm eggs. When the eggs enter the body, they form cysts, usually in the brain, but sometimes in the muscles or eyes.



    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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