Diagnosis of Ear Pain

JOHN W. ELY, MARLAN R. HANSEN, ELIZABETH C. CLARK

Causes of primary otalgia include otitis media and otitis externa, and the diagnosis is typically apparent on examination. Secondary otalgia has many potential causes, making diagnosis more difficult. If the diagnosis is not clear from the history and physical examination,...

Diagnosis and Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction

JENNIFER E. FRANK, PATRICIA MISTRETTA, JOSHUA WILL

A comprehensive sexual history is an important component of primary care and can help identify women with sexual complaints. Although patient education and therapy are the basis of treatment, the role of pharmacotherapy in treating female sexual dysfunction is being investigated.

Urinary Retention in Adults: Diagnosis and Initial Management

BRIAN A. SELIUS, RAJESH SUBEDI

Causes of urinary retention can be classified as obstructive, infectious and inflammatory, pharmacologic, neurogenic, or other. A thorough history, physical examination, and selected diagnostic testing should determine the cause in most patients and management may include...

Tourette's Syndrome

CHRISTOPHER KENNEY, SHENG-HAN KUO, JOOHI JIMENEZ-SHAHED

Diagnosis of Tourette's syndrome may be challenging because it mimics many hyperkinetic disorders. Treatment can be behavioral, pharmacologic, or surgical, depending on the type and severity of symptoms, and can substantially improve quality of life and functioning in...

AFP Web Site Improvements Reflect Academy Brand

JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

The Academy's branding initiative was described in this column in the January 1, 2008, issue. A segment of this campaign involves redesigning the Web site to feature the new seal and depict the Academy's position as the “bold champion” for family physicians. The new design of...

AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

President Bush's final budget proposal calls for deep reductions in funding for Medicare and Medicaid programs as well as the elimination of health care initiatives important to primary care. The proposal, which is part of the 2009 fiscal year budget, includes eliminating...

Fluticasone or Salmeterol Alone vs. Combination Therapy for COPD

MARK A. GRABER, ROBERT DACHS, ANDREA DARBY-STEWART

Purpose

Lessons from Torcetrapib: Putting Patient-Oriented Evidence First

ROBERT M. EWART

The logic is simple. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are a risk factor for coronary disease. Torcetrapib raises HDL levels; therefore, it should prevent coronary disease. However, Pfizer Inc. recently withdrew its licensing application for torcetrapib...

Interventions to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing Practices for Hospital Inpatients

ROBERT DACHS

A hospital-based seminar demonstrated an excessive amount of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for inpatients, and an associated increase in the rate of nosocomial infections and worsening antimicrobial resistance patterns.

Medical Treatments in the Short-term Management of Reflux Esophagitis

JANELLE GUIRGUIS-BLAKE

What is the safest and most effective short-term medical treatment for reflux esophagitis?

Chronic Pancreatitis

HEMANT M. KOCHER

Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by longstanding inflammation of the pancreas owing to a wide variety of causes, including recurrent acute attacks of pancreatitis.

Medical Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

KEVIN T. RICH, SARAH SAFRANEK

What is the best medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

Painful Plaques Shortly After Hospital Discharge

JEFFREY B. GRAHAM, BLAKE FAGAN, ROBYN LATESSA

A 65-year-old white woman presented at the clinic for a follow-up visit after her first pulmonary embolism six days earlier. Warfarin (Coumadin) and enoxaparin (Lovenox) therapy were initiated during her hospitalization. At the follow-up visit, the patient had painful lesions...

Do Antidepressants Increase Suicide Risk in Adolescents?

CAROLINE WELLBERY

AAA Screening Reduces Mortality Rates

AMY CRAWFORD-FAUCHER

Aspirin May Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer

ANNE D. WALLING

Rapid Antigen Testing vs. Wet Mount for Detecting T. vaginalis

KENNETH T. MOON

Are Weight Loss Maintenance Programs Effective in Children?

CAROLINE WELLBERY

AHA Publishes Statement on Drug Therapy for Lipid Abnormalities in Children and Adolescents

SHERRI DAMLO

Guideline source: American Heart Association

Practice Guidelines

AMBER HUNTZINGER

AAN Releases Recommendations for Treating Lyme Disease Neuroborreliosis

AHA Guidelines on Cardiac CT for Assessing Coronary Artery Disease

AMBER HUNTZINGER

Source: American Heart Association

Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis

MICHAEL K. WALSH

Tourette's Syndrome: What It Is and How It's Treated

Tourette's syndrome (too-RETTS SIN-drome) is a disorder that causes tics. Tics are sudden, brief movements (like muscle spasms) or sounds (like words or grunts) that a person repeats over and over. They are hard to control, can be mild to severe, and come and go over time....