• Articles

    A Practical Approach to Neonatal Jaundice

    SARAH K. MOERSCHEL, LAUREN B. CIANCIARUSO, LLOYD R. TRACY

    Careful monitoring of newborns is important in the prevention and treatment of neonatal jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia. Predischarge bilirubin measurement is used to assess risk of an infant developing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in the first few days of life.

    Stuttering: An Overview

    JANE E. PRASSE, GEORGE E. KIKANO

    The initial assessment of children who stutter focuses on severity, secondary behaviors, and the impact of stuttering on the patient. Although stuttering usually spontaneously resolves by adulthood, treatment can prevent it from progressing and can help the patient overcome...

    Managing Hypertension Using Combination Therapy

    JENNIFER FRANK

    Most patients with hypertension will require therapy with more than one agent. Treatment recommendations vary for patients with comorbid conditions.

    Trigeminal Neuralgia

    RUDOLPH M. KRAFFT

    Trigeminal neuralgia is typically diagnosed clinically. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is important because the pain can be severe. Initial treatment ismedical, but surgery may be indicated when medication is unsuccessful.

    Inside AFP

    Introducing AFP's Newest Medical Editors

    JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

    In the April 15 issue, I introduced our two new assistant editors—John E. Delzell, Jr., MD, MSPH, and Colin P. Kopes-Kerr, MD, MPH, JD. As part of the AFP medical editing team, these two experienced family physicians will work with Editor Jay Siwek, MD, to review manuscripts,...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    Policy and Health Issues in the News

    Physicians Participate in Capitol Hill Rally to Support Medicare Payment Reform | Bill Aimed at Lowering Health Insurance Costs for Small Businesses, Self-Employed | New Medication Management Standards Proposed for Emergency Departments | Reports Reflect Modest Gain in Health...

    AFP Journal Club

    Albuterol vs. Levalbuterol for Asthma Treatment in Children

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

    For children with acute asthma exacerbations, is levalbuterol better than albuterol? There is no difference between the medications in effectiveness or side effects.

    Editorials

    Authorship in American Family Physician

    JAY SIWEK

    The AFP Authors' Guide says that we do not consider articles written by medical or other students, and that we ask that any resident wishing to write for us team up with an experienced physician who will serve as first and corresponding author. Because this policy...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Oral Anticoagulants vs. Antiplatelet Therapy

    NATHAN HITZEMAN, SAM APPLEBAUM

    Compared with antiplatelet therapy, oral anticoagulation significantly reduces stroke at an average follow-up of one to three years, but does not reduce mortality. Intracranial or extracranial hemorrhage is more common with anticoagulation and must be weighed against its...

    Are SSRIs Effective for Treating OCD?

    CLARRISA KRIPKE

    SSRIs are effective for the treatment of OCD. If it is assumed that 10 percent of persons with OCD will recover without treatment, then 12 persons with OCD need to be treated for one additional person to have a response within six to 13 weeks. If it is assumed that 20 percent...

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

    Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Newborns: Recommendation Statement

    This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for sickle cell disease in newborns and the supporting scientific evidence; it also updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services,...

    FPIN's Clinical Inquiries

    Differential Diagnosis of Tremor

    GARY KELSBERG, CARRIE RUBENSTEIN, LEILANI ST. ANNA, C. RANDALL CLINCH

    The most common tremor in primary care is an exaggerated physiologic tremor, followed by essential tremor and tremors caused by Parkinson's disease.

    Photo Quiz

    Scalded Mouth with Headache

    BRIAN H. GRIMARD, JAN M. LARSON, R. HILL MCBRAYER

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

    Curbside Consultation

    Placebo and Placebo Effects: Practical Considerations, Ethical Concerns

    JAMES GIORDANO

    First, it is important to define what is meant by “placebo”. Strictly, the term placebo, taken from the Latin “I shall please,” refers to any intervention, event, or experience that evokes positive subjective or objective outcomes in a patient (or research participant).

    Practice Guidelines

    ACOG Releases Guidelines on Management of Adnexal Masses

    LISA GRAHAM

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has created guidelines for the management of adnexal masses.

    Letters to the Editor

    Fibromyalgia Remains a Controversial Medical Enigma

    JONATHAN B. TOCKS

    Tips from Other Journals

    Pharmacologic Agents Effective in Treating Chronic Insomnia

    CAROLINE WELLBERY

    Do 12 Contractions per Hour Reliably Predict Labor?

    ANNE D. WALLING

    National Smoke-Free Legislation Reduces Secondhand Smoke Exposure

    ANNE D. WALLING

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Stuttering: What You Should Know

    Stuttering is a speech problem that makes it hard to say certain words or sounds. People who stutter may repeat sounds, words, or parts of words. They may also pause longer than normal between sounds and words. They may blink their eyes, jerk their jaw, or move their head...

    Hypertension: What You Should Know

    Blood pressure is the pressure in your blood vessels. It is measured during certain parts of your heartbeat. This measurement has two numbers. The systolic (siss-TALL-ick) number is on the top and the diastolic (DIE-eh-stall-ick) number is on the bottom. If your blood...



    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