Iron Deficiency and Other Types of Anemia in Infants and Children

MARY WANG

Microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency is the most common type of anemia in children. Normocytic anemia is most often caused by iron deficiency anemia or acute blood loss. Macrocytic anemia, which is uncommon in children, can be caused by vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies...

Clinical Evaluation of Bleeding and Bruising in Primary Care

DANA NEUTZE, JODI ROQUE

The patient history can help determine whether bruising or bleeding is abnormal. The International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis has developed a bleeding assessment tool that can be used to indicate possible pathology. A family history of bleeding problems may suggest...

Common Questions About Chronic Prostatitis

JAMES D. HOLT, W. ALLAN GARRETT, TYLER K. McCURRY, JOEL M.H. TEICHMAN

The National Institutes of Health classifies prostatitis into four syndromes. The chronic, symptomatic types are chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Chronic bacterial prostatitis presents as persistent lower urinary...

AAFP News: AFP Edition

Submit 2015 PQRS Data to Avoid Penalty | Researchers Dispute Calls for Increased Federal Funding of Residency Positions | STFM App Helps Family Physicians with Oral Health Diagnosis, Treatment | CMS to Require Prior Authorization for Certain Durable Medical Equipment

The Why and How of High-Value Prescribing

STEVEN R. BROWN

Adopting high-value prescribing strategies can help family physicians increase the quality of care, decrease costs, and fulfill our professional obligation to provide health care that is based on the wise and cost-effective management of limited clinical resources.

Labor Induction at Term

ELIN KONDRAD, SARAH LIEGL

Oral misoprostol (Cytotec), vaginal and intracervical prostaglandins, and mechanical methods are effective for induction of labor at term. The use of intravenous oxytocin (Pitocin) increases the risk of failure to achieve vaginal delivery at 24 hours and the risk of cesarean...

A Resolving Rash on the Breast

MARIA LaPLANTE, RICHARD USATINE

A woman presented with a rash that began as a large plaque affecting one-fourgh of her breast then decreased to a small plaque affecting only the nipple.

Screening for High Blood Pressure in Adults: Recommendation Statement

The USPSTF recommends screening for high blood pressure in adults aged 18 years or older.

Conjugated Estrogens/Bazedoxifene (Duavee) for Menopausal Symptoms

KRISTINA JOHNSON, FERN HAUCK

Conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene is effective for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and may be better tolerated than conjugated estrogens/medroxyprogesterone. It will maintain bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and hip, but its effect on fractures is not known....

Treating Low Vitamin D Levels Is Ineffective in Postmenopausal Women

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

You do not have to treat a low vitamin D level if your patient is a typical community-dwelling postmenopausal woman younger than 75 years. The usual dosage of vitamin D, 800 IU (20 mcg) daily, will not increase levels even after a year of therapy and has little effect on...

Epidural Steroid Not Better Than Placebo Injection for Sciatica and Spinal Stenosis Pain and Function

ALLEN F. SHAUGHNESSY

Naproxen Alone May Be Best for Acute Low Back Pain

DAVID SLAWSON

Naproxen alone is as effective as naproxen plus oxycodone/acetaminophen or naproxen plus cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) in reducing pain and improving function in adults with acute musculoskeletal LBP without radicular symptoms. Adverse events were significantly more common in...

ACIP Releases 2016 Childhood Immunization Recommendations

MARGOT SAVOY

Each year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviews and updates the childhood immunization schedule to incorporate any published updates or corrections from the previous year. New recommendations...

ACIP Releases 2016 Adult Immunization Recommendations

MARGOT SAVOY

Each year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviews and updates the adult immunization schedule to incorporate any published updates or corrections from the previous year.

Additional Protection from 9-Valent HPV Vaccine if Administered Before HPV Exposure

ELMAR JOURA, LIANA CLARK, ALAIN LUXEMBOURG

Diagnostic Tool for Gout Without Need for Joint Fluid Aspiration

JILLIAN E. SYLVESTER, JEFFREY C. LEGGIT

Easy Bruising and Bleeding

Everyone will get a bruise or have bleeding at some point. Bruises result from blood under the skin after an injury. Bruises are common on areas such as the arms and legs. People often bruise more easily as they get older. Bleeding happens when blood vessels are broken...