Radiologic Evaluation of Chronic Foot Pain

JOONG MO AHN, GEORGES Y. EL-KHOURY

Chronic foot pain is a common and disabling condition that has a broad spectrum of potential causes. In addition to a careful history and physical examination, imaging tests can be useful for diagnosis and management. The American College of Radiology has developed an...

Respiratory Distress in the Newborn

CHRISTIAN L. HERMANSEN, KEVIN N. LORAH

The most common causes of respiratory distress in the newborn are transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, and meconium aspiration syndrome. Mild distress may warrant observation and pulse oximetry; severe distress requires immediate resuscitation,...

Bell's Palsy: Diagnosis and Management

JEFFREY D. TIEMSTRA, NANDINI KHATKHATE

Bell's palsy is a peripheral palsy of the facial nerve that results in unilateral facial weakness. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of patients will have their symptoms resolve spontaneously; however, treatment started within three days of the onset of symptoms is recommended...

Peptic Ulcer Disease

KALYANAKRISHNAN RAMAKRISHNAN, ROBERT C. SALINAS

The main causes of peptic ulcer disease in the United States are infection with Helicobacter pylori and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients who are older than 55 years or whose symptoms indicate a complication or malignancy should have prompt endoscopy. In...

In Memory of Karl Miller, MD

JAY SIWEK, EDITOR

Today we honor one of our own, Dr. Karl Miller, assistant medical editor, who died recently of rapidly progressive kidney cancer. Karl had been with AFP for 10 years. He edited manuscripts, wrote Tips from Other Journals, and supervised the Newsletter department. But more...

Newsletter

Legislation Proposes Changes in Tamper-proof Prescription Pad Law | False Claims Rule Has Relatively Small Impact on Family Physicians | Study Shows Primary Care Plays Central Role in Reducing Hospitalizations | AAFP Congress of Delegates Acts on Proposed Bylaw Amendments |...

Quantum Sufficit

SHERRI DAMLO

According to a survey conducted by Learndirect, an adult learning organization based in the United Kingdom, 10 percent of parents have difficulty understanding the bedtime stories they read to their children. The survey included 1,000 parents, each of whom had one or more...

New Challenges in Assessing and Managing Concussion in Sports

JAMES McKINLEY

In a recent AFP article on sideline management of head and neck injuries, Dr. White-side correctly stated that there is no general agreement on clinical markers of concussion severity or on the appropriate management of concussions.1 However, experts have provided physicians...

Does Pioglitazone Benefit Patients with Type 2 Diabetes?

TARA SCOTT

A 42-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes has not achieved glycemic control with lifestyle modifications after three months.

Cochrane Briefs

CLARISSA KRIPKE

Opioid Analgesia During Evaluation of Acute Abdominal Pain

Cochrane Briefs

CLARISSA KRIPKE

Repeat Cesarean Delivery vs. Planned Induction of Labor

Hyperthyroidism

BIRTE NYGAARD

We found no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antithyroid drug treatment with placebo in persons with hyperthyroidism, although there is consensus that treatment is beneficial. We found no RCTs comparing antithyroid drugs (carbimazole, propylthiouracil, or...

Pregnancy-Related Pruritic Rash

YANG XIA, DAVID W. BRAY

A 35-year-old woman at 31 weeks of gestation presented with an extremely pruritic rash that began on her abdomen (see accompanying figure). She stated that she had a similar rash during her first pregnancy that spontaneously resolved after delivery. The most recent rash began...

Best Alternatives to Statins for Treating Hyperlipidemia

PATRICIA BOUKNIGHT, LESLIE MACKLER, MARK HEFFINGTON

When statin therapy is not tolerated, what are the best alternative treatments for patients with hyperlipidemia?

Is Loneliness Associated with Alzheimer's Disease?

KARL E. MILLER

Effectiveness of Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Which Antibiotics Are Best for Skin and Soft Tissue Infections?

KENNETH T. MOON

Does Screening Mammography Benefit Women in Their 40s?

KENNY LIN

Responding to a Colleague Who Neglects Best Practices

JOHN-HENRY PFIFFERLING

I am part of a group practice in which physicians commonly see each other's patients. When I see a particular colleague's patient, the patient's health maintenance is often not up to date, and I do not trust that the physician has followed up on clinical issues. When I see...

ACIP Releases 2007 Recommendations on Prevention and Control of Influenza

CARRIE ARMSTRONG

Guideline source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

CDC Reports on Postmarketing Safety of the Rotateq Vaccine

SHERRI DAMLO

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Diagnosis of Brown Recluse Spider Bites Is Overused

Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is a paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. It usually develops over one to three days, and then slowly improves or completely goes away in one to three months. Most people with Bell's palsy recover, but some are left with weakness on one side of the...

Peptic Ulcers: What You Should Know

A peptic ulcer is a sore in your stomach or small intestine. It happens when the juices that help break down food damage the lining of your stomach or intestine. Ulcers usually affect people who are 25 to 64 years of age.