Approach to Acute Headache in Adults

BARRY L. HAINER, ERIC M. MATHESON

Approximately one-half of all adults are affected by a headache disorder. The International Headache Society divides headaches into primary and secondary types, which can help physicians distinguish headaches that are benign from those that may indicate significant pathology...

Sick Sinus Syndrome: A Review

MICHAEL SEMELKA, JEROME GERA, SAIF USMAN

Sick sinus syndrome is a collection of disorders characterized by the heart's inability to perform its normal pacemaking function. Signs and symptoms may include end-organ hypoperfusion, near-fainting spells, and syncope. Diagnosis requires electrocardiographic findings of...

Ulcerative Colitis

STEPHEN M. ADAMS, PAUL H. BORNEMANN

Although the etiology of ulcerative colitis is not known, genetic, dietary, and environmental risk factors have a role. The diagnosis is suspected clinically and confirmed through endoscopic biopsy. Infectious etiologies must be ruled out. Treatment goals are to induce...

Hard-to-Diagnose Headache: Practical Tips for Diagnosis and Treatment

ELLEN BECK

The challenge for physicians is to be aware of the red flag symptoms that identify dangerous headaches, and be able to diagnose and treat a headache that has no focal neurologic abnormalities or warning signs, or is a new, different, persistent, or concerning headache.

Screening for Ovarian Cancer

AILEEN BUCKLER, PHUONG LUU

Case study: A 55-year-old woman presents for a routine well-woman examination. She states that she is worried about ovarian cancer because one of her friends was recently diagnosed. She has no family history of breast, ovarian, or colon cancer.

Multiple Sclerosis

RICHARD NICHOLAS, WAQAR RASHID

What are the effects of interventions aimed at reducing relapse rates and disability and to improve symptoms during acute relapse in persons with multiple sclerosis? What are the effects of treatments for fatigue and spasticity in persons with multiple sclerosis? What are the...

Bromocriptine Mesylate (Cycloset) for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

CHRISTY M. WEILAND, MICHELLE L. HILAIRE

Cycloset will lower A1C levels by 0.3 to 0.5 percent when taken alone or in combination with a sulfonylurea, without undesirable adverse effects such as hypoglycemia and weight gain. It will not cause further improvement of glucose control when used with insulin, metformin,...

Pruritic Rash in a Pregnant Woman

CRISTINA MAULEÓN, MARTA VALDIVIELSO-RAMOS, EVA CHAVARRÍA, CATIANA SILVENTE

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

Treatments for Urinary Incontinence in Women

DEAN A. SEEHUSEN

What are the effectiveness, benefits, and adverse effects of options for diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) that are available in primary care?

AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

AAFP Responds to Draft Proposal on Sustainable Growth Rate Formula, Medicare Payment System | FDA Approves Labeling for Reformulated, Abuse-Deterrent Version of Oxycontin | AAFP Recommends That CMS Create New E/M Codes Exclusively for Primary Care Physicians | CMS Launches...

AHA/ASA Publish Advisory on Oral Antithrombotics for Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

MICHAEL DEVITT

Guideline source: American Heart Association and American Stroke Association

Screening for Ovarian Cancer: Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against screening for ovarian cancer in women.

Dipstick Urinalysis for the Diagnosis of Acute UTI

BETH SIMATI, WILLIAM KRIEGSMAN, SARAH SAFRANEK

Approximately two-thirds of women who present with classic symptoms of acute UTI have bacterial infection of the bladder. Dipstick urinalysis moderately improves the accuracy of clinical symptoms in establishing or excluding acute UTI in women.