Dizziness: Approach to Evaluation and Management - American Family Physician
Feb 1, 2017 - Dizziness is a common yet imprecise symptom. It was traditionally divided into four categories based on the patient’s history: vertigo, presyncope, disequilibrium, and light-headedness. However, the distinction between these symptoms is of limited clinical usefulness. Patients have ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0201/p154.html
Acute Coronary Syndrome: Diagnostic Evaluation - American Family Physician
Feb 1, 2017 - Myocardial infarction (MI), a subset of acute coronary syndrome, is damage to the cardiac muscle as evidenced by elevated cardiac troponin levels in the setting of acute ischemia. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Chest pain is a common ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0201/p170.html
The Health Hazards of Air Pollution—Implications for Your Patients - Editorials - ...
Feb 1, 2017 - Air pollution has many deleterious health effects. Physicians can encourage their patients to recognize the health cobenefits of actions to support the environment.
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0201/p146.html
What's Making Me Dizzy? - American Family Physician
Feb 1, 2017 - ...nervous system problems are possible, but these are rare. If your dizziness doesn't let up between spells, it may be due to a stroke, or might mean that a stroke is about to happen. This is quite rare. Some medicines can cause dizziness. Tell your doctor what medicines you are...
American Family Physician : Patient Handout
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0201/p154-s1.html
Keep Calm and Carry On … Being a Family Physician
In this whale of a tale, John Cullen, M.D., writes that there is a moment of intense clarity during an emergency. That's vital for family physicians in remote locations.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/keep_calm_and_carry_on.html
Statin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults: ...
Jan 15, 2017 - The USPSTF recommends that adults without a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (i.e., symptomatic coronary artery disease or ischemic stroke) use a low- to moderate-dose statin for the prevention of CVD events and mortality when all of the following criteria are met: (1) they are ...
American Family Physician : U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0115/od1.html
Hyperlipidemia: Drugs for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Adults - American Family ...
Jan 15, 2017 - Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) indicate that lipid-lowering drugs have benefit for primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0115/p78.html
In Patients with Vascular Disease, Treating Sleep Apnea Does Not Reduce the Risk of ...
Jan 15, 2017 - Compared with usual care, the use of CPAP provides a modest improvement in daytime sleepiness, but does not reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular events, even in a high-risk population.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0115/p123.html
No, I'm Not 'Settling' for Family Medicine
Lauren Abdul-Majeed writes that misconceptions about family medicine are "toxic" for medical students and negatively affect an already inadequate primary care workforce.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/no_i_m_not_settling.html
ADA Updates Standards of Medical Care for Patients with Diabetes Mellitus - Practice ...
Jan 1, 2017 - The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently updated its standards of care to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals, and tools to evaluate the quality of care. Key changes in the 2016 update include new screening recommendations, clarification of ...
American Family Physician : Practice Guidelines
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0101/p40.html
Screening for Lipid Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Recommendation Statement - ...
Dec 15, 2016 - The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for lipid disorders in children and adolescents 20 years or younger.
American Family Physician : U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1215/od1.html
Autism Spectrum Disorder - American Family Physician
Dec 15, 2016 - ...National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm National Library of Medicine https://medlineplus.gov/autismspectrumdisorder.html Read the full article. Get immediate access, anytime, anywhere. Choose a single...
American Family Physician : Patient Handout
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1215/p972-s1.html
Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments for Symptoms of Menopause - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2016 - The results of large clinical trials have led physicians and patients to question the safety of hormone therapy for menopause. In the past, physicians prescribed hormone therapy to improve overall health and prevent cardiac disease, as well as for symptoms of menopause. Combined ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1201/p884.html
Patient Attribution: Why It Matters More Than Ever -- FPM
Dec 1, 2016 - How payers assign patients to you will affect how your practice is evaluated and paid for value in the future.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2016/1100/p25.html
It’s Time for ICD-10 Changes -- FPM
Dec 1, 2016 - The ICD-10 grace period has ended, so avoid using out-of-date and unspecified codes.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2016/1100/p17.html
Erectile Dysfunction - American Family Physician
Nov 15, 2016 - Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. It is common, affecting at least 12 million U.S. men. The five-question International Index of Erectile Function allows rapid clinical assessment of ED. The ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1115/p820.html
Acute Monoarthritis: Diagnosis in Adults - American Family Physician
Nov 15, 2016 - Acute monoarthritis can be the initial manifestation of many joint disorders. The most common diagnoses in the primary care setting are osteoarthritis, gout, and trauma. It is important to understand the prevalence of specific etiologies and to use the appropriate diagnostic modalities....
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1115/p810.html
Evolocumab (Repatha) for the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia - STEPS - American Family ...
Nov 15, 2016 - Evolocumab is generally safe and effective at lowering serum LDL cholesterol levels for select patients who need marked cholesterol reduction and can tolerate injections. However, it remains unknown whether evolocumab prevents premature death from cardiovascular events.
American Family Physician : STEPS
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1115/p843.html
Erectile Dysfunction - American Family Physician
Nov 15, 2016 - ...to the nerves and blood vessels in the penis. This allows the penis to fill with blood. Some medical conditions block these signals, such as strokes, spine or pelvic injuries, Parkinson disease, and multiple sclerosis. Nerve damage from diabetes or prostate surgery can also cause...
American Family Physician : Patient Handout
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1115/p820-s1.html
The Risk of MI and Ischemic Stroke with Combined Oral Contraceptives - Cochrane for ...
Nov 1, 2016 - The overall risk of MI and ischemic stroke is increased in women who use combined oral contraceptives. The relative risk of MI and ischemic stroke increases as estrogen dose rises, increasing by 60% with doses of 20 mcg and more than doubling when doses of 50 mcg or more are used.
American Family Physician : Cochrane for Clinicians
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p691.html
Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults: Diagnosis and Management - American Family ...
Nov 1, 2016 - Community-acquired pneumonia is a leading cause of death. Risk factors include older age and medical comorbidities. Diagnosis is suggested by a history of cough, dyspnea, pleuritic pain, or acute functional or cognitive decline, with abnormal vital signs (e.g., fever, tachycardia) and ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p698.html
Primary Care for Patients with HIV Infection: It’s Not Who Should Provide It, It’s How ...
Nov 1, 2016 - The major challenge is not to address whether primary care clinicians without substantial HIV experience should provide HIV care, but to create a framework that allows all primary care clinicians to provide the best possible care for their patients living with HIV infection.
American Family Physician : Editorials
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p687.html
High-Deductible Plans May Reduce Ambulatory Care Use - Graham Center Policy One-Pagers ...
Nov 1, 2016 - Although rates of uninsured Americans are declining because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is growing concern about out-of-pocket expenditures associated with private high-deductible insurance plans.
American Family Physician : Graham Center Policy One-Pagers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p727.html
Amiodarone for the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death - Cochrane for Clinicians - ...
Nov 1, 2016 - Although not a substitute for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), amiodarone is effective for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death when compared with placebo (number needed to treat [NNT] = 47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 33 to 100), but it does not ...
American Family Physician : Cochrane for Clinicians
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p692.html
Third-Generation Oral Contraceptives Associated with Greater Risk of PE, Stroke, and MI...
Oct 15, 2016 - Although there is risk with any current oral contraceptive combination, those that contain lower doses of estrogen, and levonorgestrel instead of desogestrel or gestodene, are associated with the least risk of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), or pulmonary embolism (PE). ...
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/p663.html
The Mental Status Examination - American Family Physician
Oct 15, 2016 - The mental status examination includes general observations made during the clinical encounter, as well as specific testing based on the needs of the patient and physician. Multiple cognitive functions may be tested, including attention, executive functioning, gnosia, language, memory, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/p635.html
Aspirin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer:...
Oct 15, 2016 - The USPSTF recommends initiating low-dose aspirin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) in adults aged 50 to 59 years who have a 10% or greater 10-year CVD risk, are not at increased risk for bleeding, have a life expectancy of at ...
American Family Physician : U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/od1.html
Aspirin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer ...
Oct 15, 2016 - S.L. is a 55-year-old man who presents to your office for a routine refill of his antihypertension medication. He also takes a statin and an antidepressant. Although he smokes, his blood pressure and cholesterol are well controlled. His history and physical examination are unremarkable.
American Family Physician : Putting Prevention into Practice
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/p661.html
Procalcitonin Guidance Safely Decreases Antibiotic Use in Critically Ill Patients - ...
Oct 15, 2016 - For patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who receive antibiotics for presumed or proven bacterial infections, the use of procalcitonin levels to determine when to stop antibiotic therapy results in decreased duration and consumption of antibiotics without increasing mortality.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/p663a.html
Rivaroxaban vs. Warfarin for Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation ...
Oct 1, 2016 - Studies showed that 433 patients needed to be treated with rivaroxaban to prevent one stroke and 629 patients needed to be treated with rivaroxaban to prevent one thromboembolic event. Read more.
American Family Physician : Medicine by the Numbers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1001/od1.html
Top POEMs of 2015 Consistent with the Principles of the Choosing Wisely Campaign - ...
Oct 1, 2016 - The authors applied a novel method to identify recent clinical studies that showed results consistent with the principles of the Choosing Wisely campaign. The method, based on crowdsourcing studies known as POEMs (patientoriented evidence that matters), involved analyzing POEM ratings ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1001/p566.html
Diagnosis and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2016 - Atrial fibrillation is a supraventricular arrhythmia that adversely affects cardiac function and increases the risk of stroke. It is the most common arrhythmia and a major source of morbidity and mortality; its prevalence increases with age. Pulse rate is sensitive, but not specific, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p442.html
Clinical Diagnosis of Gout Without Joint Aspirate - Point-of-Care Guides - American ...
Sep 15, 2016 - Gout is ideally diagnosed through identification of characteristic negatively birefringent crystals under polarized light microscopy in fluid aspirated from end-organ deposits, typically from a joint. However, fewer than 10% of patients with gout see a rheumatologist, and most cases of ...
American Family Physician : Point-of-Care Guides
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p505.html
Atrial Fibrillation - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2016 - ...of your heart to shake, and not pump blood well. Sometimes a clot can form in this chamber, and if that clot breaks free it can cause a stroke. What are the symptoms? Your heartbeat may feel fast and uneven. You may also feel weak, tired, or short of breath. You may find it hard to...
American Family Physician : Patient Handout
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p442-s1.html
AAFP News - Sep 15, 2016 - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2016 - Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News.
American Family Physician : AAFP News: AFP Edition
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0915/p420.html
Newer Sulfonylureas Not Associated with Increased Mortality, MIs, or Strokes - POEMs - ...
Sep 1, 2016 - In multiple randomized trials, the long-term use of second- or third-generation sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes is not associated with more deaths, myocardial infarctions (MIs), or strokes. The included trials tended not to report other safety data.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/p386.html
Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults - American Family Physician
Sep 1, 2016 - Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes patients to temporarily stop or decrease their breathing repeatedly during sleep. This results in fragmented, nonrestful sleep that can lead to symptoms such as morning headache and daytime sleepiness. Obstructive sleep apnea ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/p355.html
Perioperative Beta Blockers - Medicine by the Numbers - American Family Physician
Sep 1, 2016 - Studies show that 1 in 72 patients had a nonfatal myocardial infarction prevents while harm end points included nonfatal stroke, hypotension, and bradycardia. Find out more.
American Family Physician : Medicine by the Numbers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/od1.html
Update on Office-Based Strategies for the Management of Obesity - American Family ...
Sep 1, 2016 - Obesity is a common condition that is associated with numerous medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus. Primary care physicians have an important role in helping patients develop a successful weight loss plan to improve their overall ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/p361.html
Inhaled Fluticasone-Salmeterol Better Than Fluticasone Alone for Moderate to Severe ...
Sep 1, 2016 - The combination of fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair), with the steroid dose adjusted for disease severity, reduces the number of severe asthma exacerbations more than fluticasone (Flovent) alone (number needed to treat [NNT] = 50 over 26 weeks), with no difference in terms of ...
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/p387.html
Flibanserin Ineffective for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women - POEMs - ...
Sep 1, 2016 - Flibanserin produces a minimal effect on sexual desire and minimally increases the number of satisfying sexual events in women (less than one-half an event per month increase). Many women will be unable to tolerate the adverse effects.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/p384a.html
How to Recognize OSA and What It Means for Your Health - American Family Physician
Sep 1, 2016 - ...Stroke Hypertension (not controlled with medicine) Depression Increased risk of motor vehicle crashes Overall increased risk of death Where can I get more information? Your doctor American Sleep Apnea Association http://www.sleepapnea.org/ National Heart, Lung, and Blood...
American Family Physician : Patient Handout
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0901/p355-s1.html
Pioglitazone After Stroke or TIA Reduces Stroke and MI, but Also Has Significant Harms ...
Aug 15, 2016 - In patients with a recent stroke or TIA and evidence of insulin resistance, pioglitazone reduces the likelihood of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke (number needed to treat [NNT] = 36 over five years) but increases the risk of significant weight gain (number needed to treat to harm ...
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0815/p319.html
Behavioral Disorders in Dementia: Appropriate Nondrug Interventions and Antipsychotic ...
Aug 15, 2016 - Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia pose management challenges for caregivers and clinicians. Firstline nonpharmacologic treatments include eliminating physical and emotional stressors, modifying the patient’s environment, and establishing daily routines. Family members ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0815/p276.html
AAP Updates Recommendations for Routine Preventive Pediatric Health Care - Practice ...
Aug 15, 2016 - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated recommendations for preventive pediatric health care services, including evidence-based screenings and assessments that should be addressed at well-child visits. The recommendations are organized by age: infancy, early childhood, ...
American Family Physician : Practice Guidelines
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0815/p324.html
Alirocumab (Praluent) for Treatment of Hyperlipidemia - STEPS - American Family Physician
Aug 15, 2016 - Alirocumab is a novel lipid-lowering therapy that is highly effective at lowering LDL cholesterol when used in addition to statin therapy and diet. Its use should be limited to patients with either heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular ...
American Family Physician : STEPS
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0815/p310.html
Stop Using Antipsychotics to Treat or Prevent Delirium—They Are No Better Than Placebo ...
Aug 15, 2016 - The available data indicate that antipsychotic medications are ineffective in preventing or treating delirium in hospitalized patients. Because there are concerns about falls and extrapyramidal effects with antipsychotics (not reported in this study), we should stop using them.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0815/p318.html
Treating Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: An Update - American Family Physician
Aug 1, 2016 - Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy occurs in approximately 25% of patients with diabetes mellitus who are treated in the office setting and significantly affects quality of life. It typically causes burning pain, paresthesias, and numbness in a stocking-glove pattern that progresses...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0801/p227.html
Exercise to Improve Functioning in Patients with Dementia - FPIN's Help Desk Answers - ...
Aug 1, 2016 - Exercise programs lasting at least two months moderately increase the ability of patients with dementia to perform ADLs.
American Family Physician : FPIN's Help Desk Answers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0801/p242.html
Trigeminal Neuralgia - Clinical Evidence Handbook - American Family Physician
Jul 15, 2016 - What are the effects of ongoing treatments in persons with trigeminal neuralgia?
American Family Physician : Clinical Evidence Handbook
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0715/p133.html