Management of Common Anemias
Management of Common Anemias Anemia is prevalent throughout the population and occurs in all age groups, but it is especially common in the elderly (11% in noninstitutionalized persons greater than…
Evaluation of Bleeding Problems and Abnormal Bleeding Studies
Evaluation of Bleeding Problems and Abnormal Bleeding Studies The problems of bleeding encountered in the office setting range from abnormal results on screening studies to easy bruising, petechial rashes, and…
Evaluation of Erythrocytosis (Polycythemia)
Evaluation of Erythrocytosis (Polycythemia) When an elevated red cell count, hemoglobin concentration, or hematocrit occurs unexpectedly, it raises the question of polycythemia, a term used to denote an absolute increase…
Evaluation of Anemia
Evaluation of Anemia In most instances, the office presentation of anemia is incidental, with no obvious cause and no hemodynamic compromise. Because anemia is not a diagnosis, its appearance necessitates…
Screening for Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait
Screening for Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait Sickle cell disease is the most common of the clinically significant hemoglobinopathies. In the United States, the disease and trait occur…
Screening for Anemia
Screening for Anemia Anemia is a sign of illness rather than a diagnosis in itself. The incidental finding of a low hematocrit or hemoglobin level suggests a host of underlying…
Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers Jeffrey W. Clark Gastrointestinal malignancies are among the most common tumors found in adults worldwide. The primary treatment of local disease is surgical although increasingly adjuvant…
Management of Diverticular Disease
Management of Diverticular Disease James M. Richter Diverticula—abnormal herniations of colonic mucosa through the muscularis—are extremely common, and their prevalence increases with age. Autopsy studies estimate their presence in 20%…
Approach to the Patient with Functional Gastrointestinal Disease
Approach to the Patient with Functional Gastrointestinal Disease James M. Richter Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disease accounts for a large proportion of the GI complaints seen in office practice, not only…
Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Deanna D. Nguyen James M. Richter Ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease account for most of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) seen in primary care practice….
