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Adult Constipation(GS001)
Introduction
The definition of constipation varies with almost every individual. The medical community tends to define it as infrequent bowel movements, while non-medical persons consider constipation to be the passing of hard stools or straining to have a bowel movement.
The colon (large intestine) absorbs water while forming waste products (stool) from digested food. Muscle contractions in the colon push the stool toward the rectum. By the time stool reaches the rectum, it is solid because most of the water has been absorbed.
Hard, dry stools and constipation occur when the colon absorbs too much water away from the stool. This can happen because the muscle of the colon contracts too slowly causing the stool to move through too slowly. There are many causes of constipation and there are often many factors leading to the problem. The treatment of constipation includes lifestyle changes, as well as medication, and rarely, surgery.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Constipation provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of constipation?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing constipation?What kinds of medical tests are used to determine the causes of constipation?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of constipation?What treatment options are available for the management of constipation?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in constipation?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for constipation?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about constipation?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Slow transit constipation: a model of human gut dysmotility. Review of possible aetiologies.Neurogastroenterology & Motility. 2000 Interventions for treating constipation in pregnancy.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 Functional bowel disorders in the geriatric patient: constipation, fecal impaction, and fecal incontinence.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Abdominal massage therapy for chronic constipation: A systematic review of controlled clinical trials.Forschende Komplementarmedizin. 1999 Constipation in the elderly.Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 1999 Constipation: an approach to diagnosis, treatment, referral.Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 1999 Management of colorectal-anal dysfunction.Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics of North America. 1998 Clinical significance and application of anorectal physiology.Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology - Supplement. 1998 Constipation in the elderly.American Family Physician. 1998 Hands on help.Nursing Times. 1998 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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MediFocus MedCenter ©
Biliary Atresia(GS002)
Introduction
Biliary atresia (BA) or extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) is a disorder of infants in which there is an obliteration or discontinuity of the extrahepatic (outside of the liver) biliary system, resulting in obstruction of bile flow.
The incidence of EHBA is 1 in 10,000 to 13,000 newborns. The disorder occurs more often in girls than boys, and 20-30% of cases area ssociated with developmental abnormalities of the heart, digestive tract, or spleen (polysplenia [more than one spleen] or asplenia [no spleen]) or other abnormalities. Between 400-600 new cases of BA are encountered in the United States every year.
Because early intervention is so important, any infant older than 14 days with jaundice needs to be evaluated. Surgery is usually required to repair damage or malformations to promote normal flow of bile. Liver transplant may be required in severe cases.
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The Medifocus Guide on Biliary Atresia provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of biliary atresia?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing biliary atresia?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of biliary atresia?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of biliary atresia?What treatment options are available for the management of biliary atresia?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in biliary atresia?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for biliary atresia?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about biliary atresia?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Combined pure esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia, biliary atresia, and pancreatic ductal atresia: prenatal diagnostic features and review of the literature.Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2000 Biliary atresia: pathogenesis and treatment.Seminars in Liver Disease. 1998 Biliary atresia.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 1998 Biliary atresia and biliary cysts.Baillieres Clinical Gastroenterology. 1997 Biliary atresia.Current Opinion in Pediatrics. 1997 Past and future of biliary atresia.Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2000 Biliary atresia: should all patients undergo a portoenterostomy?.Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 1997 Initial response to portoenterostomy determines long-term outcome in patients with biliary atresia.Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2000 Biliary atresia: which factors predict the success of a Kasai operation? An analysis of 36 patients.European Journal of Medical Research. 2000 Reappraisal of the role of the bilioenteric conduit in the pathogenesis of postoperative cholangitis.Pediatric Surgery International. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Click here for more information.
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Childhood Constipation(GS003)
Introduction
The definition of constipation varies with almost every individual. The medical community tends to define it as infrequent bowel movements, while non-medical persons consider constipation to be the passing of hard stools or straining to have a bowel movement.
The colon (large intestine) absorbs water while forming waste products (stool) from digested food. Muscle contractions in the colon push the stool toward the rectum. By the time stool reaches the rectum, it is solid because most of the water has been absorbed.
Hard, dry stools and constipation occur when the colon absorbs too much water away from the stool. This can happen because the muscle of the colon contracts too slowly causing the stool to move through too slowly. There are many causes of constipation and there are often many factors leading to the problem. The treatment of constipation includes lifestyle changes, as well as medication, and rarely, surgery.
Constipation is a common complaint in children, occurring in up to 10% of youngsters. It accounts for approximately 3% of pediatric outpatient visits and 25% of visits to the pediatric gastroenterologist. Usually, constipation is a temporary problem in children, and no cause for concern. However, persistent constipation can cause a variety of complications including abdominal pain, anal fissures, urinary tract infection, perianal cellulitis, and mood disturbances.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Childhood Constipation provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of constipation?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing constipation?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of constipation?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of constipation?What treatment options are available for the management of constipation?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in constipation?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for constipation?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about constipation?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Advances in the management of pediatric constipation.Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2000 Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders.Gut. 1999 Defecation disorders in the neurologically impaired child.Pediatric Annals. 1999 Constipation: physical and psychological sequelae.Pediatric Annals. 1999 Chronic abdominal pain in childhood: diagnosis and management.American Family Physician. 1999 Acquired motility disorders in childhood.Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology. 1999 Constipation: an approach to diagnosis, treatment, referral.Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 1999 Are constipated children different from constipated adults?.Digestive Diseases. 1999 Constipation, soiling and encopresis.Practitioner. 1999 Management of colorectal-anal dysfunction.Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics of North America. 1998 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Cholecystitis(GS004)
Introduction
The gallbladder is a four-inch sac that is located beneath the liver in the upper right-hand quadrant of the abdomen. It is connected to the liver and the intestine by a series of small tubes called ducts. The primary role of the gallbladder is to store bile, which is produced and secreted continuously by the liver, until the bile is needed to aid in digestion.
Cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain. In 90% of cases, acute cholecystitis is caused by the presence of gallstones obstructing the duct leading from the gallbladder. It may also be caused by trauma or previous surgeries. Although relatively uncommon, gallstones and acute cholecystitis may occur in infants and children.
Ninety percent of cholecystitis cases resolve spontaneously. However, complications will develop in 10% of cases that will require surgery, antibiotics or other treatments. Pain management is an important aspect of care for gallbladder disorders. Nonsurgical treatment may consist of placement of a tube in the stomach to decompress the pressure in the abdomen as well as replacement of fluids and electrolytes through an intravenous line.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Cholecystitis provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of cholecystitis?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing cholecystitis?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of cholecystitis?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of cholecystitis?What treatment options are available for the management of cholecystitis?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in cholecystitis?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for cholecystitis?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about cholecystitis?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Cholecystitis caused by hemocholecyst from underlying malignancy.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Acute cholecystitis: CT findings.Seminars in Ultrasound, CT & MR. 2000 Biliary tract infections: a guide to drug treatment.Drugs. 1999 Hyperbaric oxygenation as adjuvant therapy to surgery of emphysematous cholecystitis.Hepato-Gastroenterology. 1999 Gangrenous cholecystitis in the laparoscopic era.Australian & New Zealand Journal of Surgery. 2000 Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis. A prospective comparative study in patients with acute vs. chronic cholecystitis.Surgical Endoscopy. 2000 Preoperative evaluation to predict technical difficulties of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the basis of histological inflammation findings on resected gallbladder.American Journal of Surgery. 2000 Percutaneous gallbladder drainage for delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis.American Journal of Surgery. 2000 Variation in the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for elderly patients with acute cholecystitis.Archives of Surgery. 2000 Selective use of tube cholecystostomy with interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis.Archives of Surgery. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Cholelithiasis (Gallstones)(GS005)
Introduction
Gallstones develop in the gallbladder from crystals of either cholesterol or bilirubin. Stones can be too small to be seen with the eye (biliary sludge), or can range from the size of grains of sand to the size of golf balls. There may be one or hundreds of stones in the gallbladder. When gallstones are present, the condition is called cholelithiasis.
At any point, stones may obstruct the cystic duct, which leads from the gallbladder to the common bile duct, and cause pain (biliary colic), infection and inflammation (cholecystitis), or both.
Gallstone disease is a common medical problem that affects 25 million persons or 10-15 percent of the US population. Between 10-20% of all adults over 40 have gallstones, however only 1-3% complaint of symptoms during the course of a year. Women are at increased risk because estrogen stimulates the liver to remove more cholesterol from blood and divert it into the bile. Pregnant women with stones are more likely to have symptoms.
Silent gallstones often never cause symptoms and require no treatment. When treatment is requires, there are several medications, as well as non-surgical and surgical methods.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Gallstones provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of gallstones?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing gallstones?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of gallstones?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of gallstones?What treatment options are available for the management of gallstones?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in gallstones?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for gallstones?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about gallstones?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Gallbladder stones: imaging and intervention.Radiographics. 2000 Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of gallstones revisited: current status and future promises.Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2000 Emergency endoscopy.Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Management of gallstones and their complications.American Family Physician. 2000 Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and interventional endoscopy for gallstone complications during pregnancy.Surgical Endoscopy. 2000 Port-site metastasis following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a review of the literature and a case report.European Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2000 Nonsurgical management of gallstone disease.Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 1999 Gallstones: an intestinal disease?.Gut. 1999 Biliary sludge.Annals of Internal Medicine. 1999 The pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones a review.Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 1998 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Click here for more information.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Chronic Pancreatitis(GS007)
Introduction
Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease in which progressive and irreversible structural changes to the pancreas result in a permanent impairment of both the exocrine and endocrine functions.
As the pancreas become progressively more scarred, some persons develop diabetes and/or the inability to digest foods, especially fats. Because of the lack of normal pancreatic enzymes, digestion of food and the production of wastes are adversely affected. Abdominal pain is common, especially after eating. Stools become bulky, greasy, foul smelling and tend to float in the water because of their high fat content - a condition known as steatorrhea. The formation of stones in the pancreas is also common.
The treatment of chronic pancreatitis depends on 4 factors: the cause of the pancreatitis, the portion of the pancreas involved, the presence or absence os symptoms, and the size of the pancreatic duct.
When symptoms are mild or absent ("silent pancreatitis") no treatment is indicated. For persons with disabling symptoms, however, treatment is indicated. Treatment may consist of medications and possibly surgery.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Chronic Pancreatitis provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of chronic pancreatitis?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing chronic pancreatitis?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?What treatment options are available for the management of chronic pancreatitis?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in chronic pancreatitis?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for chronic pancreatitis?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about chronic pancreatitis?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Screening for early pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in hereditary pancreatitis.Medical Clinics of North America. 2000 Cystic fibrosis mutations and genetic predisposition to idiopathic chronic pancreatitis.Medical Clinics of North America. 2000 Genetic predispositions to acute and chronic pancreatitis.Medical Clinics of North America. 2000 What should be the standard operation in chronic pancreatitis: Whipple or duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection?.Annali Italiani di Chirurgia. 2000 Organ-preserving surgery in chronic pancreatitis: the duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection.Annali Italiani di Chirurgia. 2000 Pylorus-preserving Kausch-Whipple resection: the successor of the classical Kausch-Whipple in chronic pancreatitis.Annali Italiani di Chirurgia. 2000 Resection in chronic pancreatitis: anastomosis with the jejunum or with the stomach?.Annali Italiani di Chirurgia. 2000 Pancreatic pseudocysts in chronic pancreatitis. Surgical or interventional drainage?.Annali Italiani di Chirurgia. 2000 Is there still an indication for pancreatic duct drainage in chronic pancreatitis?.Annali Italiani di Chirurgia. 2000 Medical treatment of chronic pancreatitis.Annali Italiani di Chirurgia. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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MediFocus MedCenter ©
Crohn's Disease(GS006)
Introduction
Crohn's disease (CD) is one of two distinct diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease (the other is ulcerative colitis). CD is a chronic inflammatory process that causes damage to the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. Women are affected 20% more often than men and the disease has a familial component. CD typically appears between the ages of 15 and 40 years. Also called ileitis or enteritis, the exact cause of CD is unknown, but some consideration has been given to the possibility of a viral, bacterial or immunological etiology.
Disease severity and the areas affected influence therapy selection. The goals of medical treatment are to minimize symptoms and complications, induce and maintain remission, improve nutrition and avoid surgical intervention. Some people have long periods of remission, sometimes years, when they are free of symptoms. However, the disease usually recurs at various times over a person's lifetime.
Most people are first treated with drugs that helps control inflammation. Other treatment modalities include lifestyle interventions as well as surgery.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Crohn's Disease provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of Crohn's Disease?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing Crohn's Disease?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of Crohn's Disease?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of Crohn's Disease?What treatment options are available for the management of Crohn's Disease?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in Crohn's Disease?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for Crohn's Disease?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about Crohn's Disease?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Therapy of Crohn's disease in childhood.Paediatric Drugs. 2000 Chronic inflammatory bowel disease in children: a complex problem in management.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2000 Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease: clinical role and review of the literature.Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. 2000 Anti-TNF therapies in rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, sepsis, and myelodysplastic syndromes.Microscopy Research & Technique. 2000 Early bacille de Calmette-Guerin vaccination and Crohn's disease: possible relationship?.Pediatric & Developmental Pathology. 2000 Is Crohn's disease an immunodeficiency? A hypothesis suggesting possible early events in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.Digestive Diseases & Sciences. 2000 Medical therapy to reduce postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Prolonged-release mesalazine: a review of its therapeutic potential in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.Drugs. 2000 Azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for inducing remission of Crohn's disease.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 Corticosteroids for maintaining remission of Crohn's disease.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved
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MediFocus MedCenter ©
Diverticulosis(GS010)
Introduction
Diverticulosis is a condition in which small sacs of intestinal lining bulge outward at weak spots. These pouches, called diverticula (diverticulum singular), are about the size of large peas and usually occur in the colon or large intestine. Occasionally they affect the small intestine, as well.
Diverticulosis is thought to be caused by a diet that is low in fiber. The use of strong laxatives and straining of the abdominal muscles from the resulting constipation causes increased pressure in the colon. This excess pressure causes the weak spots in the colon to bulge out and become diverticula.
When these pouches become inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. Infection may be caused by stool or bacteria getting caught in the diverticula Diverticulitis can lead to complications such as infections, perforations or tears, blockages or bleeding.
Diverticulosis affects more women than men and becomes more common with increasing age. About 10% of persons over the age of 40 have diverticulosis. Approximately 50% of persons over the age of 60 and almost all persons over the age of 80 have the condition. Diverticulitis only occurs in 10-25% of persons with diverticulosis.
Treatment usually consists of dietary and lifestyle interventions, as well as medication. Surgery is rarely necessary.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Diverticulosis provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of diverticulosis?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing diverticulosis?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of diverticulosis?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of diverticulosis?What treatment options are available for the management of diverticulosis?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in diverticulosis?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for diverticulosis?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about diverticulosis?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Laparoscopic colectomy in diverticular and Crohn's disease.Surgical Clinics of North America. 2000 Insights into the pathophysiology and mechanisms of constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and diverticulosis in older people.Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2000 Colonic diverticular disease.Current Problems in Surgery. 2000 Intraluminal duodenal diverticulum causing acute pancreatitis: CT scan diagnosis and review of the literature.Digestive Surgery. 2000 Evidence-based surgery: diverticulitis--a surgical disease?.Langenbecks Archives of Surgery. 2000 Meckel's diverticulum.American Family Physician. 2000 Perforation of jejunal diverticulum: case report and review of literature.Connecticut Medicine. 2000 Surgical management of diverticulitis.American Surgeon. 2000 Adenocarcinoma in a mid-esophageal diverticulum.Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2000 Intestinal motility in small bowel diverticulosis: a case report and review of the literature.Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Click here for more information.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GS008)
Introduction
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, (GERD) consists of a spectrum of symptoms that occur when gastric acid refluxes into the esophagus, thereby causing damage to it. One of the major contributing factors to GERD is the inability of the stomach to empty itself in a normal fashion (a motility disorder). This then leads to prolonged periods of contact between acid and the esophageal wall, thereby leading to inflammation and scarring of the esophagus.
Persons with occasional mild symptoms of GERD may not require any specific evaluation and may be candidates for direct treatment. Patients with regular symptoms of GERD (weekly symptoms or symptoms on a consistent basis) or patients with heartburn associated with difficulty swallowing, weight loss, anemia or bleeding need to be evaluated on a more aggressive basis.
The goal of medical care is to relieve symptoms and heal esophagitis. The severity of GERD symptoms and complications influence therapy selection. The symptoms of GERD are generally well controlled with appropriate lifestyle changes and available drug therapy. In very severe cases, surgery may needed to receive an acceptable response.
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The Medifocus Guide on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of GERD?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing GERD?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of GERD?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of GERD?What treatment options are available for the management of GERD?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in GERD?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for GERD?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about GERD?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Overview of therapy for the extraesophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Dental erosion: predominant oral lesion in gastroesophageal reflux disease.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Asthma and gastroesophageal reflux.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 ENT manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Gastroesophageal reflux and chronic cough.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Approach to the patient with unexplained chest pain.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Extraesophageal presentations of gastroesophageal reflux disease: an overview.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Gastroesophageal reflux disease in intellectually disabled individuals: how often, how serious, how manageable?.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Digestive system disorders: gastroesophageal reflux disease.Western Journal of Medicine. 2000 Antireflux surgery in the management of Barrett's esophagus.Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Click here for more information.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Irritable Bowel Syndrome(GS014)
Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is part of a spectrum of diseases known as Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders which are characterized by chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms for which no structural or biochemical cause can be found.
IBS is relatively common affecting approximately 15% of persons in the United States (25-55 million) and occuring in men and women of all ages and races.
The cause of IBS is not known and there is no true "cure". Research has demonstrated that persons with IBS have certain characteristic responses within their colons.
While there is no cure for IBS, a multi-pronged approach can help to control symptoms and provide relief. Dietary alterations can help to reduce the occurrence of symptoms brought on by certain foods identified as triggers. Medications are usually not required, but when used are targeted at reducing specific symptoms (diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain) experienced by the person.
Attention must also be paid to the psychological triggers that are known to play a significant role in the provocation of symptoms. In children, IBS is treated mainly through changes in diet.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of IBS?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing IBS?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of IBS?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of IBS?What treatment options are available for the management of IBS?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in IBS?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for IBS?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about IBS?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome.Nutrition. 2000 Pharmacologic treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review of randomized, controlled trials.Annals of Internal Medicine. 2000 Alosetron.Drugs. 2000 Towards an integrative model of irritable bowel syndrome.Progress in Brain Research. 2000 Irritable bowel syndrome. Definitive diagnostic criteria help focus symptomatic treatment.Postgraduate Medicine. 2000 Intestinal disorders. Relieving irritable bowel syndrome.Harvard Womens Health Watch. 2000 Gender role and irritable bowel syndrome: literature review and hypothesis.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000 Recommendations for the management of irritable bowel syndrome in family practice. IBS Consensus Conference Participants.CMAJ. 1999 Review article: clinical evidence to support current therapies of irritable bowel syndrome.Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 1999 Review article: the therapeutic potential of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 1999 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Click here for more information.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Peptic Ulcer Disease(GS016)
Introduction
A peptic ulcer is an open wound or raw area on the lining of the upper part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer) or the stomach (gastric ulcer). Ulcers develop when an imbalance occurs between the digestive juices used by the stomach to break down food and the various factors that protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Ulcers are usually one-quarter to one-half inch in diameter.
One in every ten Americans develops an ulcer at some point in life. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) affects all age groups, including children. Men are affected twice as often as women. Duodenal ulcers tend to occur between the ages of 25 - 75, while gastric ulcers peak between the ages of 55 and 65.
PUD was once thought to be caused by stress, spicy food and alcohol and the treatment was bedrest and a bland diet. The role of stomach acid was then discovered and antacids were introduced into the therapeutic regimen. In 1982, however, bacteria called Helicobacter (H.) pylori appeared to be a major factor in PUD.
Treatment of PUD consists of medications to lower stomach acid and antibiotics to treat H. pylori if present. Dietary interventions are also very important. Surgery may be needed for persons with persistent or recurrent bleeding.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of PUD?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing PUD?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of PUD?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of PUD?What treatment options are available for the management of PUD?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in PUD?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for PUD?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about PUD?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
The use of consensus to develop guidelines for the management of Helicobacter pylori infection in primary care. European Society for Primary Care Gastroenterology.Family Practice. 2000 The management of Helicobacter pylori infection in primary care: a systematic review of the literature.Family Practice. 2000 Selective COX-2 inhibitors and gastrointestinal mucosal injury: pharmacological and therapeutic considerations.Journal of the Association for Academic Minority Physicians. 2000 Peptic ulcer disease: let's help cure it.Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association. 2000 H pylori infection. Review of the guideline for diagnosis and treatment.Geriatrics. 2000 Acid suppression: optimizing therapy for gastroduodenal ulcer healing, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and stress-related erosive syndrome.Gastroenterology. 2000 Prevention of NSAID-related ulcers.Comprehensive Therapy. 2000 Peptic ulcer disease: pathogenesis, radiologic features, and complications.Academic Radiology. 2000 Current topics in the treatment of peptic ulcer.Internal Medicine. 2000 Surgical management of peptic ulcer disease today--indication, technique and outcome.Langenbecks Archives of Surgery. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Click here for more information.