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Although alcohol consumption and tobacco use are the major risk factors for esophageal cancer in developed countries, nutrition and diet are also important. This Viewpoint discusses evidence for a link between diet and esophageal cancer and the influence it might have with regard to the prevention of esophageal cancer.
Chronic consumption of alcohol can cause a spectrum of liver abnormalities, ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Alcoholic liver disease is still the most common cause of liver cirrhosis in the Western world. This Review focuses on the current management of patients with alcoholic liver disease, with emphasis on alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.
Dyspepsia is remarkably common. Of those individuals with dyspepsia who present for care, perhaps 10% are referred because their symptoms remain refractory and troublesome. Many gastroenterologists seem to feel somewhat at a loss in this situation; however, there are sensible management options to consider. This Review considers the testing and treatment alternatives, and discusses what can be done for the difficult-to treat dyspeptic patient.
The main physiologic function of albumin is to maintain colloid osmotic pressure. The recognition of many other physiologic functions, however, means that the clinical application of albumin has expanded. This Review discusses the physiologic actions of albumin, the clinical settings in which albumin has been used in patients with cirrhosis, and the potential benefits and pitfalls associated with the use of albumin.
