Stress Fractures: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

DEEPAK S. PATEL, MATT ROTH, NEHA KAPIL

Stress fractures are common in persons who engage in repetitive, high-intensity training. The diagnosis should begin with plain radiography, followed by advanced imaging if needed. Treatment includes restricted activity, as well as analgesics for pain relief and pneumatic...

The Geriatric Assessment

BASSEM ELSAWY, KIM E. HIGGINS

The geriatric assessment is a multidimensional, multidisciplinary assessment designed to evaluate an older person's functional ability, physical health, cognition and mental health, and socioenvironmental circumstances. It aids in the diagnosis of medical conditions;...

Atrial Fibrillation: Diagnosis and Treatment

CECILIA GUTIERREZ, DANIEL G. BLANCHARD

Atrial fibrillation is a source of significant morbidity and mortality. Patients commonly report palpitations, dyspnea, fatigue, and lightheadedness. Rhythm control and rate control are the two main management strategies. Anticoagulation therapy is often required to decrease...

AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

Senate and House of Representatives Approve 12-Month Medicare Payment Patch | Positive Changes in CPT Codes for Childhood Vaccinations, Medicare Allowances | Primary Care Benefits from GME Training Provision in Health Care Reform Law | CDC Issues Recommendations for Lead...

Avoiding Sore Throat Morbidity and Mortality: When Is It Not “Just a Sore Throat?”

ROBERT M. CENTOR, RALPH SAMLOWSKI

Sore throat consistently ranks in the top 10 reasons for ambulatory care visits. We see this symptom so often that our vocabulary even includes the phrase “just a sore throat.” For more than 50 years, physicians have considered group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus the only...

Copper Intrauterine Device vs. Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate for Contraception

JANELLE GUIRGUIS-BLAKE

The copper IUD is more effective in preventing pregnancy compared with Depo-Provera.1 Each contraceptive method has different adverse effects; the evidence is too limited to make comparisons of discontinuation rates.

Short Course of Antibiotics for Acute Otitis Media Treatment

MARK H. EBELL

Antibiotic courses between two and seven days in duration are associated with a slightly higher risk of treatment failure than longer courses (number needed to treat = 33), but also a somewhat lower risk of adverse gastrointestinal effects (number needed to harm = 29)....

Yellowish Papules on a Middle-aged Man

JEFFREY S. HENNING, MICHAEL G. FAZIO

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

Comforting a Grieving Parent

RICHARD DEW

The death of a child is the most devastating loss any parent can face. If physicians can help even a little, we will have done something of lasting value. Most of the things we can do may seem small to us, but are appreciated by the parents.

ACOG Updates Guideline on Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis

CARRIE ARMSTRONG

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecologic disorder that commonly manifests as chronic pain and infertility. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has updated the guideline on diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

STEPS Approach Allows Patient to Participate in Decision Making

JONATHAN D. FERENCE

Do Coffee and Tea Help Prevent Diabetes Mellitus?

KENNETH T. MOON

What Is the Best Treatment for Childhood Absence Epilepsy?

KENNETH T. MOON

Is BNP-Guided Treatment for Heart Failure Effective?

KENNETH T. MOON

Stress Fractures

It is a fracture or break in the bone that is caused by repeated stress or pressure. Stress fractures are most common in the bones in your leg.

Atrial Fibrillation

There is an electrical signal in your heart that causes it to beat and pump blood to your body. If the signal is jumbled or irregular, it causes the upper chambers (atria) of your heart to tremble rapidly. This is called fibrillation (fih-brih-LA-shun). It can cause many...