American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common, mild, contagious childhood illness. It causes sores inside and outside the mouth… the hands and soles of the feet. Infants and children younger than age 5 are most likely to get the virus. But older children, teens,…
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From a Family Doctor: Adults Need Vaccines Too
for serious complications. Curious about what vaccines you may need? Complete the CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool, a quick questionnaire for adults 19 years or older. You can also review the CDC’s Immunization Schedules for Adults, which is frequently validated by vaccine experts…
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Thyroid Nodules
A thyroid nodule is a lump in the thyroid gland in your neck. More than 90% of them are not… always sure why some people get thyroid nodules, but they’re very common. The chances of getting one increase as you get older. Almost 50% of…
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Adult vaccinations
Adult vaccinations are important for adults for staying healthy as they age… body. It often appears on the face or torso. It can result in long-term pain even after the rash goes away. Older people are most at risk for the virus. The CDC recommends…
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Adolescents and Young Adults: Getting the Preventive Services You Need
Get an early start on good lifelong health by learning about the services and advice your family doctor can provide… warts and several types of cancer (most commonly cervical cancer). The vaccine is given when children are 11-12 years old, but older teens and young…
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Sleepwalking
Learn about the causes of and ways to deal with sleepwalking… non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Usually, a person has no memory of it. Sleepwalking is more common in children and young adults. This is because older people don’t experience deep sleep as often. Some…
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Calcium: What You Need to Know
Calcium keeps your bones and teeth healthy and strong. Your body can’t make its own calcium, so it’s important to… mg per day Adults ages 19-50: 1,000 mg per day Adult men ages 51-70: 1,000 mg per day Adult women ages 51-70: 1,200 mg per…
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Smoking Cessation in Recovering Alcoholics
Quitting smoking can be especially difficult for recovering alcoholics. There are a number of methods that your doctor can educate… using tobacco, provide behavioral interventions, and provide U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medicine to help stop smoking. AAFP recommends adults aged 18 years or…
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Alcohol Misuse
Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking too much alcohol too often. This can harm your work, school, and… What is alcohol misuse? Alcohol misuse is a serious problem. It is a pattern of drinking too much alcohol too often. It interferes with your…
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Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs During Pregnancy
Even minor usage of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during your pregnancy can cause serious risks for the health of your… Pregnant people should avoid using tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs. Even minor use carries health risks for the baby, including short- and long-term conditions…
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Weight Issues in Children
Learn how to teach your child healthy habits to prevent weight problems or to help your child lose weight… Is your child overweight? It may be hard to tell. As children grow and develop, weight changes are normal. If you’re concerned about your child’s weight,…
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Combat Cold and Flu Season
Cold and flu season usually begins when the weather starts to cool. You can take steps to help protect your… Cold and flu season often begins in October as the weather outside starts to turn cold. It can last until May. Each year, it's…
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COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
Find out the answers to the most commonly asked questions for the new COVID-19 vaccine… What is an mRNA vaccine and how does it work? Most vaccines (or immunizations) work by injecting a weakened form of a disease germ into your body. This is usually done…
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Shingles
Shingles is a painful skin rash. It is also called zoster or herpes zoster. It is caused by the same… What is shingles? Shingles is a painful skin rash. It is also called zoster or herpes zoster. It is caused by the varicella zoster…
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Preventing the Flu
The flu is a viral infection that can lead to serious diseases, such as pneumonia. That’s why it’s important to… Influenza (also called “the flu”) is a viral infection in the nose, throat, and lungs. About 10% to 20% of Americans get the flu…
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Teenagers: How to Stay Healthy
Developing healthy habits when you’re a teenager will help you as you grow into an adult. Learn tips for staying… A person’s overall health is about much more than the absence of disease. It’s the state of physical, mental, and social well-being. Ultimately, it’s…
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Heart Health: Keeping Your Heart Healthy
Learn how you can prevent and manage heart disease as well as treat conditions that lead to heart attack… A healthy heart is central to overall good health. Embracing a healthy lifestyle at any age can prevent heart disease and lower your risk for a…
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Preparing Older Children to Make Medical Decisions for Themselves
Children should be able to participate in their health care, even from a young age. This will help them make… It used to be that children were seen and not heard at the doctor’s office. Parents did all the talking, even when the child was…
