American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Search
-
Gun Safety
Gun safety should be taken seriously in your home and in any home where your child plays, visits, or… not enough. Keep it: Unloaded Locked away The bullets should be locked away in a separate location. Only responsible adults should have access to the keys…
-
Safe Use, Storage, and Disposal of Opioid Drugs | Printable Patient Tip Sheet
Properly storing and disposing of opioid medicine can protect the health and safety of others… Store your medicine in its original packaging. Keep it inside a locked cabinet, lockbox, or a location where others can’t easily access it. Keep track of how much medicine you…
-
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations is a condition that feels like your heart is pounding, racing, or skipping beats (fluttering)… fearful of something. They also feel it when they are having a panic attack. Some medical conditions, such as thyroid disease and anemia, also can cause palpitations. Sometimes the cause of…
-
Hope After a Life-Changing Diagnosis
From diagnosis through ongoing treatment, I help my patients who have HIV live longer, healthier lives and avoid passing HIV… mind that she didn’t know where to start. In her country of origin, people infected with HIV often died young because access to the most…
-
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint pain and swelling in children younger than 16. Its symptoms can be intermittent or… Your child may have a small rash on the lower torso and upper arms and legs. Some children with this disease have anemia (iron deficiency)…
-
Why Should I Breastfeed?
Deciding whether or not to breastfeed is a very personal decision. Learn about the advantages and challenges of breastfeeding… Diarrhea, constipation, and gas Intestinal diseases Asthma Allergies Diabetes Obesity Childhood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Anemia (low blood iron)…
-
Family Doctor vs. Quick-care Clinic
Family doctors and quick-care clinics both have advantages for seeking care at home or on the road… your doctor isn’t in, but another doctor can see you. Another advantage your doctor has over a quick-care clinic is access to more equipment and lab services. This…
-
Routine Tests During Pregnancy
Certain tests are common during pregnancy and essential for your health and your baby’s health… a blood sample. It’s generally painless. The test will check for certain conditions, including sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis B, HIV, and anemia. The lab will also check your blood type…
-
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a cancer of the colon or the rectum that can be detected through early, regular screenings… What is colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer starts in the tissue of the colon or the rectum (the largest part of the intestine located near the anus)…
-
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that affects people of all ages and is different for everyone. A person who has… What is depression? Depression is a serious medical illness of the brain. It is not a feeling of sadness or feeling “blue.” Someone who has…
-
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs. These arteries can narrow or… What is pulmonary hypertension? “Pulmonary” means “in the lungs,” and “hypertension” means “high blood pressure.” Pulmonary hypertension is an increase in pressure in the blood…
-
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a method of stimulating the brain with electricity to treat some types of severe mental… Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a method of stimulating the brain with electricity to treat some types of severe mental illness. It can be used to treat…
-
Kids and Bullying
Bullying, whether in person or online, is all too common in school-aged children. It’s important to know how to recognize… Bullying is aggressive, unwanted behavior from one school-aged child to another. Bullies use their power, such as popularity or physical strength, to repeatedly hurt others…
-
Senior Communities Tour Checklist
Moving into a senior community is a big step in your life. Making a checklist of everything you’re looking for… You’ve worked a lifetime to retire. Now, it’s time to focus on where you’ll live during those golden years. You still have many options, just…
-
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Learn about sexually transmitted infections and how you can prevent them… What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections you can get by having sex with someone who has an infection. These infections are usually passed from person to person…
-
Physical Activity: Creating a Family Plan
You can make physical activity easier for everyone by making it an event for the whole family at the gym,… If your physical activity is tough to schedule, why not make it a family affair? You’ll be setting lifelong examples for your children. And you’ll…
-
About
Familydoctor.org is the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, featuring physician-reviewed patient education materials… American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 133,500 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct…
-
Creating a Personal Health Journal (Health Diary)
Creating a personal health journal is a good way to track your health over the years and work with your… A personal health journal (health diary) is a record of your health. It is a journal you keep yourself. The journal helps you keep track…
