Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery

DALE A. PATTERSON, MARGUERITE WINSLOW, CORAL D. MATUS

Spontaneous vaginal delivery at term is considered the preferred outcome for pregnancy. Management guided by screening tests for group B streptococcus, herpes simplex virus, and human immunodeficiency virus, and knowledge of the normal labor process can increase the...

Radiologic Evaluation of Hematuria: Guidelines from the American College of Radiology's Appropriateness Criteria

PETER L. CHOYKE

Hematuria is often associated with significant urinary tract pathology and is a common reason for urinary tract imaging. The American College of Radiology has developed an Appropriateness Criteria Scale to help physicians determine which imaging modalities are best suited for...

Primary Care Issues in Patients with Mental Illness

BERNADETTE KIRALY, KAREN GUNNING, JENNIFER LEISER

Improving the health of patients with mental illness includes pharmacologic treatment, management of comorbidities, and ensuring quality medical care. Patient care should be coordinated between primary care physicians and mental health professionals to prevent medication...

Choosing a Skeletal Muscle Relaxant

SHARON SEE, REGINA GINZBURG

Skeletal muscle relaxants are often prescribed for musculoskeletal conditions. Adverse effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness, are reported with all skeletal muscle relaxants, and the potential for such effects should be communicated clearly to patients. Choice of agent...

AAFP Journals Now Available Online to Developing Countries Through the HINARI Network

MATTHEW J. NEFF

In April, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) introduced a restricted access policy for American Family Physician and Family Practice Management content on its Web site. The policy grants exclusive access to the most recent year's worth of content to AAFP members...

AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

Congress Passes Bill to Stop Medicare Cuts in 2008, Provide Small Increase in 2009 | High Costs and Access Difficulties Force Patients to Forgo, Delay Medical Care | Survey Reveals EHR Adoption Rates Among Physicians Are Lower than Expected | Aligning Forces for Quality...

Aripiprazole As Adjunctive Therapy In Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

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

Each month, three presenters review an interesting journal article in a conversational manner. These articles involve “hot topics” that affect family physicians or “bust” commonly held medical myths. The presenters give their opinions about the clinical value of the studies...

Improving Care For Patients with Serious Mental Illness

KATHERINE J. GOLD, AMY M. KILBOURNE, MARCIA VALENSTEIN

In this issue of American Family Physician, Kiraly and colleagues highlight common medical comorbidities and potential medication interactions in patients with serious mental illness.1 Primary care physicians commonly care for patients with serious mental illness, who often...

Arthroscopic Surgery for Knee Osteoarthritis

NATHAN HITZEMAN, CRYSTAL MASLEY

A 53-year-old man presents for follow-up of knee pain. Examination and plain radiography confirmed osteoarthritis. After little relief with analgesics and a corticosteroid injection, he inquires about arthroscopic surgery.

Cranberry Products for Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection

JANELLE GUIRGUIS-BLAKE

Does ingesting cranberry reduce the frequency of symptomatic urinary tract infections or asymptomatic bacteriuria?

Counseling About Proper Use of Motor Vehicle Occupant Restraints and Avoidance of Alcohol Use While Driving: Recommendation Statement

This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on counseling about the proper use of motor vehicle occupant restraints and avoidance of alcohol use while driving. It also summarizes the supporting scientific evidence, and updates...

Sudden Onset of Right Lower Quadrant Pain after Heavy Exercise

YU-PENG LIU, SHIN-LIN SHIH, FEI-SHIH YANG

A 42-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of pain in the right lower quadrant after heavy exercise. The pain was accompanied by nausea and four episodes of vomiting. On physical examination, her temperature was 100.4°F (38°C), her pulse rate was 98 beats per minute, and...

Antiepileptic Drug Level Monitoring

WAIL MALATY, SUE STIGLEMAN, PETER C. SMITH

Is monitoring antiepileptic drug levels necessary?

Association Between Obesity and Disability in Persons 60 Years or Older

CAROLINE WELLBERY

Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment in Children with Cough

KENNETH T. MOON

Higher BMI Increases Cancer Risk in Women

ANNE D. WALLING

Ethical Considerations of Patients with Pacemakers

PARAG BHARADWAJ, KATHERINE T. WARD

I had a 90-year-old patient with a diagnosis of end-stage congestive heart failure who was receiving hospice care. He had a pacemaker implanted seven years earlier for complete heart block. During my most recent visit to his home, I found him to be weak and barely responsive...

ACP Guideline Recommends Diagnosis and Management Strategies for COPD

LIZ HORSLEY

Guideline source: American College of Physicians

Treatment Options for Patients with Bell's Palsy

Labor and Delivery: What You Should Know

Make plans and discuss them with your doctor. Make sure you know where to go when you are in labor. Many doctors work in groups; therefore, you may want to find out which doctors could deliver your baby.

Mental Illness: Taking Care of Yourself

If you have mental illness, you face special challenges in taking care of your health.