Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa
Chapter 25 EATING DISORDERS ANOREXIA NERVOSA KEY POINTS • Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterised by a refusal to maintain a healthy body weight; resistance to gain weight, an intense fear…
Colorectal cancer
Chapter 17 COLORECTAL CANCER KEY POINTS • Colorectal cancer is a major health concern with more than one million new cases yearly, and an overall mortality rate of 50% worldwide….
Weight loss
Chapter 24 WEIGHT LOSS KEY POINTS • Weight loss is defined as >5% loss of usual body weight over a period of 6–12 months. • Body mass index (BMI) is…
Rectal bleeding and haemorrhoids
Chapter 20 RECTAL BLEEDING AND HAEMORRHOIDS KEY POINTS Rectal bleeding: • Initial management of massive rectal bleeding always involves assessment and resuscitation. • Colonoscopy, radiolabelled red cell scan, selective mesenteric…
Faecal incontinence
Chapter 19 FAECAL INCONTINENCE KEY POINTS • Faecal incontinence is the involuntary passage of stool through the anus. • A detailed history and clinical examination is important. A special note…
Colorectal cancer screening
Chapter 18 COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING KEY POINTS • Colorectal (CRC) screening can reduce incidence and mortality from CRC by up to 90%. • All average subjects aged 50 years and…
Heartburn, acid regurgitation and Barrett’s oesophagus
Chapter 3 HEARTBURN, ACID REGURGITATION AND BARRETT’S OESOPHAGUS KEY POINTS • Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is defined as a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome…
Acute diarrhoea
Chapter 15 ACUTE DIARRHOEA KEY POINTS • Acute infectious diarrhoea is common worldwide and is responsible for significant patient hospitalisation and mortality. • Acute diarrhoea is defined as an increase…
Challenging constipation
Chapter 14 CHALLENGING CONSTIPATION KEY POINTS • Constipation is a symptom not a diagnosis. • There are three subtypes of functional constipation (no structural or biochemical cause): slow transit constipation,…
