GASTROENTEROLOGY
Gallbladder disease, particularly cholelithiasis
(gallstones), affects more than 20 million Americans each year.
A delay in intervention can lead to damage to other bodily organs.
Foodborne illness poses a significant public health threat to the
United States.
This disorder is caused by an immune reaction when gluten, a grain found in many foods and beverages, is consumed.
In June 2012, the American
Cancer Society (ACS) released updated guidelines for early detection of
colorectal cancer.
Major reasons for
discontinuing opioid medications are gastrointestinal side effects
such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Pharmacists must ensure that patients understand labeling contraindications against use.
This common gastrointestinal disorder is hard to diagnose and does not have an established cure.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux, or “silent reflux,” differs from
gastroesophageal reflux disease in that it is frequently not associated
with symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation.
Pancreatic cancer is a devastating and lethal disease affecting one in 68 Americans.
This gastrointestinal disorder is on the rise in pediatric
patients of varying ages, making it a significant chronic disease in
this population.
Sleep disturbance is a common complaint in patients suffering from GERD
In the elderly, acute pancreatitis is most commonly caused by gallstones,
is more likely to be severe, and is associated with higher mortality.
Millions of travelers are affected by traveler's diarrhea annually, so it is vital that
pharmacists proactively educate individuals who will be traveling about
preventive measures and treatment.
Many patients who initially seek relief through the use of nonprescription products will require referral to a physician.
With celiac disease, the risk of developing other autoimmune and nonautoimmune disorders increases.
New methods for treating this common nosocomial infection are being implemented.
Elimination of dietary fructose can have a positive effect on clinical symptoms.
GERD 12/20/2011
When stomach acid is refluxed into the esophagus over a long period of time, it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Underlying conditions and comorbidities make it difficult to properly manage this disorder.
Celiac disease, also known as
gluten-sensitive enteropathy or
sprue, is a chronic autoimmune disorder caused by a genetic intolerance to gluten.
It seems as though almost every patient admitted to the hospital in the
United States is prescribed either a proton pump inhibitor or a
histamine-2 antagonist as stress ulcer prophylaxis.
Beyond weight management, these procedures may induce remission of T2DM.
This disorder requires more counseling than other conditions treatable by self-care.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 60 to 70 million people suffered from digestive diseases in 2004.
About 50% to 70% of acute cholecystitis occurs in seniors; use of
estrogen replacement therapy in post-menopausal women also increases
risk.
People with this condition have trouble digesting milk sugar (lactose) due to a relative lack of the enzyme lactase.
Older age and insufficient dietary fiber intake are the two biggest risk factors for diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
Acute gastrointestinal bleeding is a common life-threatening medical emergency requiring hospital admission.
This disease encompasses gastric, duodenal, and esophageal ulcers, with common etiologies of
Helicobacter pylori infection and NSAID use.
Constipation accounts for approximately 2.7 million physician office
visits, is responsible for an annual cost of about $8 billion per
patient, and occurs in 12% to 19% of the U.S. population.
This condition frequently is a result of abdominal or nonabdominal
surgery, but other causes include certain types of medications,
inflammation, hematoma, and metabolic disturbances.
A mix of immunologic, infectious, and genetic factors may be responsible for this form of inflammatory bowel disease.
This disorder, especially the acute form, incurs a significant burden in terms of medical care and drug costs.
Crohn's disease is a chronic form of irritable bowel disease that can extend
through the various layers of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in intestinal and
extraintestinal complications.
Routine examinations, beginning at age 50, are key to preventing this disease and saving lives.
Early intervention to control bleeding is important in order to minimize mortality, particularly in elderly patients.
Irritable bowel syndrome places a significant burden on society; it also presents an
excellent opportunity for pharmacists to participate in the care of
patients with the disorder.
Pharmacists play an important role in the care of patients infected with these diseases, which often lead to chronic liver disease and even death
The pancreas produces insulin and enzymes that help digest food and can become inflamed as a result of alcoholism, gallstones, or infection.
There is a new focus on the role of beneficial bacteria to aid
digestion, boost natural defenses, and fight off bacteria that could
cause health problems.
Various sources for this problem have been identified, including air swallowing, diet, lactose intolerance, and IBS.
At the end of the 20th century, there were changes in the incidence,
prevalence, and overall impact of digestive diseases, as evidenced by
the 2008 update to the National Institutes of Health publication on
digestive diseases.
Understanding the relative advantages and disadvantages of OTC antacids, H2 antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors allows the pharmacist to provide lasting relief for patients.
An association exists between alcohol abuse and pancreatitis, but the mechanism involved is not understood.
Health care providers should be aware that reflux symptoms are a potential trigger of respiratory distress.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors (COXIBs) are perhaps some of the most extensively used medications in the world.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD) characterized by diffuse mucosal inflammation of the colon.
A ccording to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), digestive diseases have affected more than 70 million Americans.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of overweight or obese persons in the U.
A n estimated one of every 100 to 200 people in the United States has celiac disease (also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, nontropical sprue, or celiac sprue), an autoimmune inflammatory enteropathy that is triggered by the ingestion of gluten-containing grains in susceptible individuals.
The inability to ingest milk as an adult, known as lactose intolerance (LI) , is characteristic of many ethnic groups.
Probiotics are dietry supplements that have been used for centuries as natural components in health-enhancing foods.
Some illnesses are found to take varied courses in geriatric patients.
FDA Says No Change in Cardio Risks for Prilosec and Nexium Earlier this year, AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Prilosec (omeprazole) and Nexium (esomeprazole), sent the FDA results of studies being conducted by the pharmaceutical company on the long-term use of the two drugs.
Heartburn, one of the classic symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a very common occurrence among the general population.
For many individuals--especially those who are morbidly obese--diet and exercise, even in combination with drug therapy, are usually not enough to achieve adequate weight loss.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition that causes chronic inflammation in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).