Ear Pain: Diagnosing Common and Uncommon Causes - American Family Physician
Jan 1, 2018 - Otalgia (ear pain) is a common presentation in the primary care setting with many diverse causes. Pain that originates from the ear is called primary otalgia, and the most common causes are otitis media and otitis externa. Examination of the ear usually reveals abnormal findings in ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0101/p20.html

Hypertension - Clinical Practice Guideline -- Clinical Recommendation
Aug 22, 2014 - Access evidence-based guidelines for managing high blood pressure in adults, developed by the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8) and endorsed by the AAFP.
Patient Care |AAFP Policies and Recommendations : Clinical Recommendations
https://www.aafp.org/patient-care/clinical-recommendations/all/highbloodpressure.html
How to Document and Code for Hypertensive Diseases in ICD-10 -- FPM
Apr 1, 2014 - This installment in FPM's ICD-10 series explains the guidelines for coding hypertension.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2014/0300/p5.html
Secondary Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease - American Family Physician
Feb 1, 2010 - Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. In patients who have had a myocardial infarction or revascularization procedure, secondary prevention of coronary artery disease by comprehensive risk factor modification reduces mortality, decreases ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0201/p289.html
Management of Hypertension in Older Persons - American Family Physician
Feb 1, 2005 - Antihypertensive therapy has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in older patients with elevated systolic or diastolic blood pressures. This benefit appears to persist in patients older than 80 years, but less than one third of older patients have adequate blood pressure ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0201/p469.html
Diagnosis and Management of Preeclampsia - American Family Physician
Dec 15, 2004 - Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific multisystem disorder of unknown etiology. The disorder affects approximately 5 to 7 percent of pregnancies and is a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia is defined by the new onset of elevated blood pressure ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/1215/p2317.html
Postpartum Hemorrhage: Prevention and Treatment - American Family Physician
Apr 1, 2017 - Postpartum hemorrhage is common and can occur in patients without risk factors for hemorrhage. Active management of the third stage of labor should be used routinely to reduce its incidence. Use of oxytocin after delivery of the anterior shoulder is the most important and effective ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0401/p442.html
ACE Inhibitors vs. ARBs for Primary Hypertension - Cochrane for Clinicians - American ...
Apr 15, 2015 - ACE inhibitors and ARBs have similar effects on cardiovascular outcomes and total mortality in head-to-head trials. However, slightly more adverse effects were noted in patients assigned to ACE inhibitor therapy.
American Family Physician : Cochrane for Clinicians
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0415/p522.html
Acute Kidney Injury: Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2019 - Acute kidney injury is a clinical syndrome characterized by a rapid decline in glomerular filtration rate and resultant accumulation of metabolic waste products. Acute kidney injury is associated with an increased risk of mortality, cardiovascular events, and progression to chronic ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/1201/p687.html
Fully Automated Blood Pressure Measurement Is the Way to Go in the Office - POEMs - ...
Nov 15, 2019 - automated measurement aligns better with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, the best predictor of cardiovascular events, than manual measurement; manual readings are an average 13.4 to 14.5 mm Hg (systolic) higher than daytime ambulatory or automated readings in patients with ...
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/1115/p646.html
Anticoagulation: Updated Guidelines for Outpatient Management - American Family Physician
Oct 1, 2019 - Anticoagulation therapy is recommended for preventing, treating, and reducing the recurrence of venous thromboembolism, and preventing stroke in persons with atrial fibrillation. Direct oral anticoagulants are first-line agents for eligible patients for treating venous thromboembolism ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/1001/p426.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
Migraine Headache Prophylaxis - American Family Physician
Jan 1, 2019 - Migraines impose significant health and financial burdens. Approximately 38% of patients with episodic migraines would benefit from preventive therapy, but less than 13% take prophylactic medications. Preventive medication therapy reduces migraine frequency, severity, and ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0101/p17.html
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
Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults - American Family Physician
Jan 1, 2010 - Few older adults in the United States achieve the minimum recommended amount of physical activity. Lack of physical activity contributes to many chronic diseases that occur in older adults, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, lung disease, Alzheimer disease, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0101/p55.html
Diagnosis and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - American Family Physician
Jul 15, 2016 - Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive-aged women in the United States, affecting approximately 7% of female patients. Although the pathophysiology of the syndrome is complex and there is no single defect from which it is known to result, it is ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0715/p106.html
Evaluation of Patients with Leukocytosis - American Family Physician
Dec 1, 2015 - An elevated white blood cell count has many potential etiologies, including malignant and nonmalignant causes. It is important to use age- and pregnancy-specific normal ranges for the white blood cell count. A repeat complete blood count with peripheral smear may provide helpful ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/1201/p1004.html
Systemic Sclerosis/Scleroderma: A Treatable Multisystem Disease - American Family ...
Oct 15, 2008 - Systemic sclerosis (systemic scleroderma) is a chronic connective tissue disease of unknown etiology that causes widespread microvascular damage and excessive deposition of collagen in the skin and internal organs. Raynaud phenomenon and scleroderma (hardening of the skin) are hallmarks...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1015/p961.html
Evaluation of Neck Masses in Adults - American Family Physician
May 15, 2015 - Neck masses are often seen in clinical practice, and the family physician should be able to determine the etiology of a mass using organized, efficient diagnostic methods. The first goal is to determine if the mass is malignant or benign; malignancies are more common in adult smokers ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0515/p698.html
Controlling Hypertension: Focusing on "Why" Makes "How" a Lot Easier -- FPM
Oct 1, 2014 - Understanding the power of quality data and then starting with a few specific measures leads to improved blood pressure rates.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2014/0900/p23.html
Potassium Disorders: Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2015 - Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia are common electrolyte disorders caused by changes in potassium intake, altered excretion, or transcellular shifts. Diuretic use and gastrointestinal losses are common causes of hypokalemia, whereas kidney disease, hyperglycemia, and medication use are ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0915/p487.html
Diagnosis and Management of Sodium Disorders: Hyponatremia and Hypernatremia - American...
Mar 1, 2015 - Hyponatremia and hypernatremia are common findings in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Sodium disorders are associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Plasma osmolality plays a critical role in the pathophysiology and treatment of sodium disorders. Hyponatremia ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0301/p299.html
Acute Coronary Syndrome: Current Treatment - American Family Physician
Feb 15, 2017 - Acute coronary syndrome continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Family physicians need to identify and mitigate risk factors early, as well as recognize and respond to acute coronary syndrome events quickly in any clinical setting. Diagnosis ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0215/p232.html
Syncope: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis - American Family Physician
Mar 1, 2017 - Syncope is an abrupt and transient loss of consciousness caused by cerebral hypoperfusion. It accounts for 1% to 1.5% of emergency department visits, resulting in high hospital admission rates and significant medical costs. Syncope is classified as neurally mediated, cardiac, and ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0301/p303.html
Cirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure: Part I. Diagnosis and Evaluation - American Family...
Sep 1, 2006 - Cirrhosis and chronic liver failure are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with the majority of preventable cases attributed to excessive alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Cirrhosis often is an indolent disease; most ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0901/p756.html
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors vs. Angiotensin Receptor Blockers - FPIN's ...
Feb 1, 2015 - ACE inhibitors should be used in patients with hypertension because they reduce all-cause mortality, whereas ARBs do not.
American Family Physician : FPIN's Clinical Inquiries
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0201/p193.html

Urinary Tract Infections/Dysuria - American Family Physician
Feb 1, 2019 - This collection features AFP content on urinary tract infections/dysuria and related issues, including asymptomatic bacteriuria, bladder infections, cystitis, painful bladder syndrome, pyelonephritis, urinalysis, and urine dipstick testing. This collection features AFP content on ...
- Overview
- Screening and Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Complications and Special Situations
- Editorials and Letters
- Patient Education, Self-Care
- Other AFP Content
American Family Physician : AFP By Topic
https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=30

Jul 31, 2017 - Fulfill a Performance Improvement Activity of the ABFM's Family Medicine Certification requirement through a streamlined method of evaluating and strengthening your practice functions and systems. Select from topics including: Asthma and Hypertension.
CME : Program Resources
https://www.aafp.org/cme/programs/metric.html
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy - American Family Physician
Jul 1, 2008 - The National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy has defined four categories of hypertension in pregnancy: chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. A maternal ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0701/p93.html

Hyperlipidemia - American Family Physician
May 1, 2019 - This collection features AFP content on hyperlipidemia and related issues, including dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, kidney disease, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, statins, and triglyceride levels. This collection features AFP content on hyperlipidemia ...
- Screening and Diagnosis
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Editorials and Letters
- Improving Practice
- Patient Education, Self-Care
- Other AFP Content
American Family Physician : AFP By Topic
https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=13
Aortic Stenosis: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2008 - Aortic stenosis is the most important cardiac valve disease in developed countries, affecting 3 percent of persons older than 65 years. Although the survival rate in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis is comparable to that in age- and sex-matched control patients, the average ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0915/p717.html
Diabetes Mellitus: Screening and Diagnosis - American Family Physician
Jan 15, 2016 - Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diagnoses made by family physicians. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to blindness, limb amputation, kidney failure, and vascular and heart disease. Screening patients before signs and symptoms develop leads to earlier diagnosis and treatment, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0115/p103.html
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Outpatient Insulin Management - American Family Physician
Jan 1, 2018 - In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin may be used to augment therapy with oral glycemic medications or as insulin replacement therapy. The American Diabetes Association suggests the use of long-acting (basal) insulin to augment therapy with one or two oral agents or one ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0101/p29.html
Office-Based Strategies for the Management of Obesity - American Family Physician
Jun 15, 2010 - Roughly two thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Obesity increases the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, pulmonary disease, hepatobiliary disease, cancer, and a number of psychosocial complications. Physicians often feel unprepared ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0615/p1449.html
Hemolytic Anemia: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2018 - Hemolytic anemia is defined by the premature destruction of red blood cells, and can be chronic or life-threatening. It should be part of the differential diagnosis for any normocytic or macrocytic anemia. Hemolysis may occur intravascularly, extravascularly in the reticuloendothelial ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0915/p354.html
Acute Migraine Headache: Treatment Strategies - American Family Physician
Feb 15, 2018 - Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent attacks. Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans, antiemetics, ergot alkaloids, and combination analgesics have evidence supporting their effectiveness in the treatment of migraine. Acetaminophen ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0215/p243.html
Well-Child Visits for Infants and Young Children - American Family Physician
Sep 15, 2018 - The well-child visit allows for comprehensive assessment of a child and the opportunity for further evaluation if abnormalities are detected. A complete history during the well-child visit includes information about birth history; prior screenings; diet; sleep; dental care; and medical,...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0915/p347.html

Respiratory Tract Infections - American Family Physician
Oct 1, 2019 - ...Hypertension Musculoskeletal Care Respiratory Tract Infections Urinary Tract Infections/Dysuria Email Alerts Don't miss a single issue. Sign up for the free AFP email table of contents. Sign Up Now Legend Algorithm Point of Care Resource...
American Family Physician : AFP By Topic
https://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=29
Management of Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - American Family Physician
Jan 1, 2009 - Evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus focus on three areas: intensive lifestyle intervention that includes at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity, weight loss with an initial goal of 7 percent of baseline weight, and a low-fat, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0101/p29.html

Higher Percentage of American Adults With Hypertension Are Controlling Their Condition,...
Jun 21, 2010 - The United States has achieved the Healthy People 2010 objective of adequately controlling blood pressure in 50 percent of Americans with hypertension. That figure represents an improvement from 10 percent in 1980 and 31 percent just 10 years ago.
AAFP News : Health of the Public
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20100621hypertensioncontrol.html

AFP Podcast: Episode 98 - November 15, 2019 -- American Family Physician
Nov 25, 2019 - Episode 97 includes discussions on the changing climate and health impacts, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, as needed treatment for asthma, depression in children and adolescents, platelet rich plasma for rotator cuff symptoms, preexposure prophylaxis for HIV infection.
American Family Physician : AFP Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/afp/explore/podcast/98.html
Peritonsillar Abscess - American Family Physician
Apr 15, 2017 - Peritonsillar abscess is the most common deep infection of the head and neck, occurring primarily in young adults. Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of clinical presentation and examination. Symptoms and findings generally include fever, sore throat, dysphagia, trismus, and a hot ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0415/p501.html

AFP Podcast: Episode 95 - October 1, 2019 -- American Family Physician
Oct 8, 2019 - Episode 95 includes discussions on hand-foot-and-mouth disease, opioid use disorder, thickened feedings for infants with gastroesophageal reflux, hypertension during pregnancy, antibiotics for acute rhinosinusitis, anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation, and a new song Health is Primary...
American Family Physician : AFP Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/afp/explore/podcast/95.html
A Stepwise Approach to the Interpretation of Pulmonary Function Tests - American Family...
Mar 1, 2014 - Office-based pulmonary function testing, also known as spirometry, is a powerful tool for primary care physicians to diagnose and manage respiratory problems. An obstructive defect is indicated by a low forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio, which...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0301/p359.html
Vision Loss in Older Persons - American Family Physician
Jun 1, 2009 - Family physicians have an essential role in assessing, identifying, treating, and preventing or delaying vision loss in the aging population. Approximately one in 28 U.S. adults older than 40 years is visually impaired. Vision loss is associated with depression, social isolation, falls,...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0601/p963.html
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Premenopausal Women - American Family Physician
Apr 1, 2019 - Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common symptom in women. The acronym PALM-COEIN facilitates classification, with PALM referring to structural etiologies (polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy and hyperplasia), and COEIN referring to nonstructural etiologies (coagulopathy, ovulatory ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0401/p435.html
Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Impaired Fasting Glucose - American Family Physician
Apr 15, 2004 - Impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose form an intermediate stage in the natural history of diabetes mellitus. From 10 to 15 percent of adults in the United States have one of these conditions. Impaired glucose tolerance is defined as two-hour glucose levels of 140 to ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0415/p1961.html
Opioid Use Disorder: Medical Treatment Options - American Family Physician
Oct 1, 2019 - Opioid use disorder is highly prevalent and can be fatal. At least 2.1 million Americans 12 years and older had opioid use disorder in 2016, and approximately 47,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2017. Opioid use disorder is a chronic relapsing condition, the treatment of ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/1001/p416.html
METRIC for Residency Programs -- CME
Jul 25, 2016 - Family medicine residency programs easily meet the ACGME requirements for practice-based learning and improvement with METRIC. Choose from modules on: asthma, diabetes, geriatrics, or hypertension.
CME : Program Resources
https://www.aafp.org/cme/programs/metric/residency.html
Evaluating Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents - ...
Nov 1, 2008 - Obesity continues to be a growing public health problem. According to the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 17 percent of persons two to 19 years of age are overweight. The number of obese children and adolescents has tripled in the past 20 years. Obesity in ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1101/p1052.html