Digestive diseases and sciences
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Diabetic gastropathy is a term that encompasses a number of neuromuscular dysfunctions of the stomach, including abnormalities of gastric contractility, tone, and myoelectrical activity in patients with diabetes. These abnormalities range from tachygastrias to antral hypomotility and frank gastroparesis. Diabetic gastropathies may be acutely produced during hyperglycemia. ⋯ Gastrokinetic agents such as metoclopramide, cisapride, domperidone, and erythromycin increase fundic or antral contractions and/or eradicate gastric dysrhythmias. Diet and glucose control also are important in the management of diabetic gastropathy. As the pathophysiology of diabetic gastropathy is better understood, more specific and improved treatments will evolve.
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Octreotide is an effective therapeutic option in controlling secretory diarrhea of varied etiology. However, marked patient-to-patient differences in the antidiarrheal effects necessitate titration of octreotide dose in individual patients to achieve optimal symptom control. A consensus development panel established guidelines for octreotide dose titration in patients with secretory diarrhea. ⋯ The end point of therapy should focus on a reduction in diarrhea (frequency of bowel movements or stool volume) rather than normalization of hormonal profile. Overall, octreotide is well tolerated; principal side effects are transient injection site pain and gastrointestinal discomfort. For many patients with secretory diarrhea, octreotide therapy is expected to improve the overall health and quality of life and in the long run will lessen health care costs.
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Review Case Reports
Complications of biliary stents in obstructive pancreatic malignancies. A case report and review.
Biliary stents have become a common palliative measure in the treatment of unresectable obstructive pancreatic cancer. Survival after endoscopic stenting rivals that of surgical bypass. ⋯ A case report and review of stent-related morbidity is presented. Overall complication rates range from 15 to 34%, often requiring stent replacement and occasionally requiring surgical intervention.
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Physicians need to be maximally aggressive in their use of total enteral nutrition (TEN) in the critically ill patient, due to its lower cost, better physiology, and lower complication rate when compared to parenteral therapy. Various components in TEN such as glutamine, arginine, RNA nucleotides, omega-3 fish oils, and fiber, may have important roles in immunonutrition by maintaining gut integrity, stimulating the immune system, and preventing bacterial translocation from the gut. For each patient, the physician must choose the optimal enteral formula for that particular disease or organ failure state to maximize nutrient substrate assimilation and tolerance. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) should be used only when a true contraindication to enteral feedings exists or as adjunctive therapy when full nutritional requirements cannot be met by TEN alone.