I. What every physician needs to know. In the normal physiologic state, the pancreas secretes about 1.5 liters of fluid daily that contains enzymes needed for digestion of fats, protein, and carbohydrates. The secretion of this fluid is controlled by hormonal (i.e. secretin, cholecystokinin) and neuronal signals. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency occurs when there is inadequate…
I. Problem/Condition. Diarrhea accounts for an estimated 1.8 million physician office visits annually in the United States with an estimated cost of $6 billion per year in healthcare costs and lost productivity. With an estimated 1.8 million hospitalizations per year, diarrhea is one of the most common conditions that hospitalists manage. Diarrhea is defined as…
Are You Sure the Patient Has a Gastrointestinal Complication of Diabetes? Diabetes is associated with a range of complications involving the gastrointestinal tract, biliary tree, pancreas, and liver (see Table I). Up to 75% of patients with longstanding diabetes report chronic or intermittent GI complaints resulting from abnormal sensory or motor function of the gut.…
