Management of Pancreatitis
Management of Pancreatitis James M. Richter The primary physician encounters pancreatitis in three forms that lend themselves to ambulatory management: (a) the recovery phase of acute pancreatitis, (b) chronic or…
Management of Cirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure
Management of Cirrhosis and Chronic Liver Failure Karin Andersson Cirrhosis represents an irreversible state of chronic liver injury. The best treatment is prevention, based on detecting and addressing treatable causes…
Management of Hepatitis
Management of Hepatitis Jules L. Dienstag Viral and nonviral forms of hepatitis are more common than generally thought. More than 50,000 cases of viral hepatitis in the United States are…
Management of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Gallstones
Management of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Gallstones Peter J. Fagenholz James M. Richter Cholelithiasis—the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder— affects more than 20 million Americans, with more than 500,000 undergoing…
Management of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Management of Peptic Ulcer Disease Lindsay Y. King James M. Richter Peptic ulcer disease is a major source of morbidity, affecting up to 2.0% of the US population at any…
Approach to the Patient with an External Hernia
Approach to the Patient with an External Hernia James M. Richter Abdominal wall hernias are exceedingly common; they often cause occupational disabilities and pose a risk for incarceration and strangulation…
Approach to the Patient with Anorectal Complaints
Approach to the Patient with Anorectal Complaints Paul C. Shellito Anorectal complaints are common but often incompletely evaluated. The symptoms are usually the result of minor conditions such as hemorrhoids…
Approach to the Patient with Constipation
Approach to the Patient with Constipation James M. Richter Constipation affects 15% of adults in Western and industrialized societies and ranks among the most frequent reasons for self-medication, particularly in…
Evaluation and Management of Diarrhea
Evaluation and Management of Diarrhea Jenny S. Sauk James M. Richter Diarrhea is clinically characterized by the frequent passage of unformed stools. Episodes that are brief, self-limited, and well tolerated…
Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Bleeding James M. Richter Patients seen in the office setting will often report minor or self-limited episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding. They may complain of melena (tarry black…
