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Venous Ulcers: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Sep 1, 2019 - Venous ulcers are the most common type of chronic lower extremity ulcers, affecting 1% to 3% of the U.S. population. Venous hypertension as a result of venous reflux (incompetence) or obstruction is thought to be the primary underlying mechanism for venous ulcer formation. Risk factors ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0901/p298.html

Somatic Symptom Disorder - American Family Physician

Jan 1, 2016 - With the release of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., the diagnostic category previously known as somatoform disorders is now called somatic symptom and related disorders. The revisions were intended to increase their relevance in the primary care ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0101/p49.html

Amenorrhea: An Approach to Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician

Jun 1, 2013 - Although amenorrhea may result from a number of different conditions, a systematic evaluation including a detailed history, physical examination, and laboratory assessment of selected serum hormone levels can usually identify the underlying cause. Primary amenorrhea, which by definition...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0601/p781.html

Postpartum Care: An Approach to the Fourth Trimester - American Family Physician

Oct 15, 2019 - The postpartum period, defined as the 12 weeks after delivery, is an important time for a new mother and her family and can be considered a fourth trimester. Outpatient postpartum care should be initiated within three weeks after delivery in person or by phone, and may require multiple ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/1015/p485.html

Tickborne Diseases: Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician

May 1, 2020 - Tickborne diseases that affect patients in the United States include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, tularemia, Colorado tick fever, and tickborne relapsing fever. Tickborne diseases are increasing in incidence and should be ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0501/p530.html

Cerebral Palsy: An Overview - American Family Physician

Feb 15, 2020 - Cerebral palsy, which occurs in two to three out of 1,000 live births, has multiple etiologies resulting in brain injury that affects movement, posture, and balance. The movement disorders associated with cerebral palsy are categorized as spasticity, dyskinesia, ataxia, or mixed/other. ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0215/p213.html

Common Occupational Disorders: Asthma, COPD, Dermatitis, and Musculoskeletal Disorders ...

Jun 15, 2016 - An occupational illness is an event or exposure that occurs in the workplace that causes or contributes to a condition or worsens a preexisting condition. If an occupational disorder is suspected, a directed history should be taken with particular attention to establishing a temporal ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0615/p1000.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

Common Superficial Bursitis - American Family Physician

Feb 15, 2017 - Superficial bursitis most often occurs in the olecranon and prepatellar bursae. Less common locations are the superficial infrapatellar and subcutaneous (superficial) calcaneal bursae. Chronic microtrauma (e.g., kneeling on the prepatellar bursa) is the most common cause of superficial ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0215/p224.html

Immunizations (excluding Influenza) - American Family Physician

Dec 1, 2020 - This collection features AFP content on child and adult immunizations (excluding influenza) and related issues, including travel immunizations and specific immunizations (hepatitis A and B, herpes zoster, human papillomavirus, meningococcus, pertussis, pneumococcus, rotavirus, smallpox,...

American Family Physician : AFP By Topic

https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=63

Referral Management -- FPM Toolbox

Aug 27, 2018 - Download tools to help you manage patient referrals.

Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox : Referral Management

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolType.htm?toolTypeId=26

Back Pain in Children and Adolescents - American Family Physician

Jul 1, 2020 - Back pain is a relatively common presenting symptom in children and adolescents. Typical causes include muscle strain or spasm, spinal deformities (e.g., Scheuermann kyphosis, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis), spondylolysis, bulging or herniated intervertebral disks, apophysitis of the ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0701/p19.html

Cutaneous Cryosurgery for Common Skin Conditions - American Family Physician

Apr 1, 2020 - Cryosurgery is the application of freezing temperatures to achieve the destruction of tissue. Cutaneous cryosurgery has become a commonly performed outpatient procedure because of the combination of its safety, effectiveness, low cost, ease of use, lack of need for injectable ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0401/p399.html

Tobacco Abuse and Dependence - American Family Physician

Jan 1, 2021 - This collection features AFP content on tobacco abuse and dependence and related issues, including addiction, behavioral and drug therapies, lifestyle counseling, and smoking cessation. This collection features AFP content on tobacco abuse and dependence and related issues, including ...

American Family Physician : AFP By Topic

https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=28

Addison Disease: Early Detection and Treatment Principles - American Family Physician

Apr 1, 2014 - Primary adrenal insufficiency, or Addison disease, has many causes, the most common of which is autoimmune adrenalitis. Autoimmune adrenalitis results from destruction of the adrenal cortex, which leads to deficiencies in glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and adrenal androgens. In ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0401/p563.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

Diagnosis and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures - American Family Physician

Jul 1, 2016 - Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are the most common complication of osteoporosis, affecting more than 700,000 Americans annually. Fracture risk increases with age, with four in 10 white women older than 50 years experiencing a hip, spine, or vertebral fracture in their lifetime. ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0701/p44.html

Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Children - American Family Physician

Jun 15, 2018 - Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in children is defined as at least three episodes of pain that occur over at least three months and affect the child’s ability to perform normal activities. RAP is most often considered functional (nonorganic) abdominal pain, but an organic cause is found ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0615/p785.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

Lymphoma: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Jan 1, 2020 - Lymphoma is a group of malignant neoplasms of lymphocytes with more than 90 subtypes. It is traditionally classified broadly as non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphoma. Approximately 82,000 new U.S. patients are diagnosed with lymphoma annually. Any tobacco use and obesity are major modifiable ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0101/p34.html

Intertrigo and Secondary Skin Infections - American Family Physician

Apr 1, 2014 - Intertrigo is a superficial inflammatory dermatitis occurring on two closely opposed skin surfaces as a result of moisture, friction, and lack of ventilation. Bodily secretions, including perspiration, urine, and feces, often exacerbate skin inflammation. Physical examination of skin ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0401/p569.html

Evaluation of Short and Tall Stature in Children - American Family Physician

Jul 1, 2015 - Short stature is defined as a height more than two standard deviations below the mean for age (less than the 3rd percentile). Tall stature is defined as a height more than two standard deviations above the mean for age (greater than the 97th percentile). The initial evaluation of short ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0701/p43.html

Influenza - American Family Physician

Oct 15, 2020 - This collection features AFP content on influenza and related issues, including influenza vaccination and avian influenza. This collection features AFP content on influenza and related issues, including influenza vaccination and avian influenza.

American Family Physician : AFP By Topic

https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=14

Point-of-Care Ultrasonography - American Family Physician

Mar 1, 2020 - Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is performed by a physician at the bedside and is standard practice in obstetric, emergency, and musculoskeletal medicine. When compared with formal sonography, POCUS is equivalent in screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm and as accurate in ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0301/p275.html

Updated Guidelines on Outpatient Anticoagulation - American Family Physician

Apr 15, 2013 - The American College of Chest Physicians provides recommendations for the use of anticoagulant medications for several indications that are important in the primary care setting. Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, is recommended for the treatment of venous thromboembolism and for the ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0415/p556.html

Acute Otitis Externa: An Update - American Family Physician

Dec 1, 2012 - Acute otitis externa is a common condition involving inflammation of the ear canal. The acute form is caused primarily by bacterial infection, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus the most common pathogens. Acute otitis externa presents with the rapid onset of ear canal...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1201/p1055.html

Palpitations: Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting - American Family Physician

Dec 15, 2017 - Palpitations are a common problem in the ambulatory primary care setting, and cardiac causes are the most concerning etiology. Psychiatric illness, adverse effects of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and substance use should also be considered. Distinguishing cardiac from ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1215/p784.html

Seizure Disorders - American Family Physician

Apr 15, 2020 - This collection features AFP content on seizure disorders, including antiepileptic medications, epilepsy, febrile seizures, nonepileptic seizures, seizures in the elderly, and status epilepticus. This collection features AFP content on seizure disorders, including antiepileptic ...

American Family Physician : AFP By Topic

https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=80

Paget Disease of Bone for Primary Care - American Family Physician

Aug 15, 2020 - Paget disease of bone is a benign disorder characterized by focal areas of increased bone turnover in one or more skeletal sites. It usually affects older adults, and men are at a higher risk than women. Any bone may be affected, but the disease has a high preference for the pelvis, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0815/p224.html

Influenza: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Dec 15, 2019 - Influenza is an acute viral respiratory infection that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Three types of influenza cause disease in humans. Influenza A is the type most responsible for causing pandemics because of its high susceptibility to antigenic variation. ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/1215/p751.html

Office Policy Samples -- FPM Toolbox

Jul 25, 2018 - Download sample office policies related to patient payment, patient dismissal, and more.

Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox : Office Policy Samples

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolType.htm?toolTypeId=21

Hearing Loss in Adults: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician

Jul 15, 2019 - More than 30 million U.S. adults have hearing loss. This condition is underrecognized, and hearing aids and other hearing enhancement technologies are underused. Hearing loss is categorized as conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. Age-related sensorineural hearing loss (i.e., ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0715/p98.html

Travel Medicine - American Family Physician

Nov 1, 2020 - This collection features AFP content on travel medicine and related issues, including malaria, traveler’s diarrhea, pretravel consultation, and travel immunizations. This collection features AFP content on travel medicine and related issues, including malaria, traveler’s diarrhea, ...

American Family Physician : AFP By Topic

https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=70

Early Recognition and Management of Sepsis in Adults: The First Six Hours - American ...

Jul 1, 2013 - Sepsis is a complication of severe infection characterized by a systemic inflammatory response. Mortality rates from sepsis range between 25% to 30% for severe sepsis and 40% to 70% for septic shock. The clinical presentation of sepsis is highly variable depending on the etiology. The ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0701/p44.html

Antibiotic Use in Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections - American Family Physician

Nov 1, 2012 - Upper respiratory tract infections account for millions of visits to family physicians each year in the United States. Although warranted in some cases, antibiotics are greatly overused. This article outlines the guidelines and indications for appropriate antibiotic use for common upper...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1101/p817.html

House Calls - American Family Physician

Aug 15, 2020 - The demand for house calls is increasing because of the aging U.S. population, an increase in patients who are homebound, and the acknowledgment of the value of house calls by the public and health care industry. Literature from current U.S. home-based primary care programs describes ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0815/p211.html

Oral and Dental Conditions - American Family Physician

Nov 15, 2020 - This collection features AFP content on oral and dental conditions and related issues, including temporomandibular disorders, smell and taste disorders, dental infections, and salivary gland disorders. This collection features AFP content on oral and dental conditions and related ...

American Family Physician : AFP By Topic

https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=108

Point-of-Care Guides - American Family Physician

Sep 15, 2020 - This collection features AFP content from the Point-of-Care Guides collection on topics related to anticoagulation, cancer, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, infectious diseases, mortality risk, musculoskeletal issues, neurologic issues, obstetric issues, ...

American Family Physician : AFP By Topic

https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=75

Cervical Cancer Screening - American Family Physician

Apr 1, 2018 - Screening in women has decreased the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. Precancerous cervical lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasias) and cervical carcinomas are strongly associated with sexually-transmitted high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which causes ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0401/p441.html

Recurrent Ischemic Stroke: Strategies for Prevention - American Family Physician

Oct 1, 2017 - Recurrent strokes make up almost 25% of the nearly 800,000 strokes that occur annually in the United States. Risk factors for ischemic stroke include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, and obesity. Lifestyle modifications, including tobacco cessation, ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1001/p436.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

Foreign Bodies in the Skin: Evaluation and Management - American Family Physician

Jun 15, 2020 - Foreign bodies may be introduced into the skin through lacerations and soft tissue wounds. Long-term complications of retained foreign bodies include chronic pain and neurovascular impairment. Wound exploration and initial imaging with radiography or ultrasonography should be considered...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0615/p740.html

Evaluation and Treatment of Constipation in Children and Adolescents - American Family ...

Jul 15, 2014 - Childhood constipation is common and almost always functional without an organic etiology. Stool retention can lead to fecal incontinence in some patients. Often, a medical history and physical examination are sufficient to diagnose functional constipation. Further evaluation for ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0715/p82.html

Lice and Scabies: Treatment Update - American Family Physician

May 15, 2019 - Pediculosis and scabies are caused by ectoparasites. Pruritus is the most common presenting symptom. Head and pubic lice infestations are diagnosed with visualization of live lice. Nits (lice eggs or egg casings) alone are not sufficient to diagnose a current infestation. A no-nit ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0515/p635.html

Hip Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis - American Family Physician

Jan 15, 2021 - Adults commonly present to their family physicians with hip pain, and diagnosing the cause is important for prescribing effective therapy. Hip pain is usually located anteriorly, laterally, or posteriorly. Anterior hip pain includes referred pain from intra-abdominal or intrapelvic ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2021/0115/p81.html

Labor Dystocia in Nulliparous Women - American Family Physician

Jan 15, 2021 - Dystocia (abnormally slow or protracted labor) accounts for 25% to 55% of primary cesarean deliveries. The latent phase of labor begins with onset of regular, painful contractions and continues until 6 cm of cervical dilation. Current recommendations are to avoid admission to labor and ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2021/0115/p90.html

Dysphagia: Evaluation and Collaborative Management - American Family Physician

Jan 15, 2021 - Dysphagia is common but may be underreported. Specific symptoms, rather than their perceived location, should guide the initial evaluation and imaging. Obstructive symptoms that seem to originate in the throat or neck may actually be caused by distal esophageal lesions. Oropharyngeal ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2021/0115/p97.html

Unintentional Weight Loss in Older Adults - American Family Physician

May 1, 2014 - Unintentional weight loss in persons older than 65 years is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The most common etiologies are malignancy, nonmalignant gastrointestinal disease, and psychiatric conditions. Overall, nonmalignant diseases are more common causes of ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0501/p718.html

The Pregnant Patient: Managing Common Acute Medical Problems - American Family Physician

Nov 1, 2018 - Women often see their primary care physicians for common acute conditions during pregnancy. These conditions may be caused by pregnancy (obstetric problems) or worsened by pregnancy (obstetrically aggravated problems), or they may require special consideration during pregnancy because ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/1101/p595.html

Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Treatment - American Family Physician

Mar 15, 2018 - Stable coronary artery disease refers to a reversible supply/demand mismatch related to ischemia, a history of myocardial infarction, or the presence of plaque documented by catheterization or computed tomography angiography. Patients are considered stable if they are asymptomatic or ...

American Family Physician : Article

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0315/p376.html