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 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 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….
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 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 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 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 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 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 Paul C. Shellito Anorectal complaints are common but often incompletely evaluated. The symptoms are usually the result of minor conditions such as hemorrhoids…
