Visceroptosis and the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

The case of a patient with visceroptosis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobility type (RDS-HT) is reported here. The literature on this unusual but probably under-recognized complication is reviewed.

Overcoming Runner's Diarrhea.

In brief Many people experience bowel dysfunction related to running, ranging from prerace 'nervous diarrhea' to bloody diarrhea after an exhausting run. Potential causes vary. Diagnosis rests on an accurate history and selective investigation to exclude disease. Treatment may include explanation, reassurance, defecation before running, dietary changes, adequate hydration, and, occasionally, antidiarrheals.

Reduction by morphine of human prosprandial insulin release is secondary to inhibition of gastrointestinal motility

The effect of morphine (0.1 mg/kg) on insulin secretion stimulated by oral, intraduodenal, or intravenous administration of glucose was studied in seven healthy volunteers. When glucose was given intravenously, morphine had no effect on plasma glucose, insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), or pancreatic glucagon. Following oral glucose, morphine slowed gastric emptying and reduced plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and GIP. During intraduodenal infusion of glucose, insulin concentrations of plasma were also decreased by morphine, an effect best explained by decreased small intestinal transit with delayed absorption of glucose and delayed release of GIP. We conclude that clinically relevant doses of morphine have no direct effect on insulin secretion and that the changes observed were secondary to slowed gastric emptying and small intestinal transit (AU)

Chest pain: esophageal, cardiac, or both?

The esophagus may be the origin of chest pain clinically indistinguishable from that of ischemic heart disease. In some patients the esophageal origin of the pain may only be recognized by pharmacological provocation during manometry. We describe nine patients with chest pain which could be explained by disorders of esophageal motility-diffuse spasm in four, high pressure lower esophageal sphincter in three, and "nutcracker esophagus" in two. Methacholine provoked the pain and manometric abnormalities in five patients who had normal baseline tracings. However, seven patients given methacholine developed ischemic changes on the electrocardiogram. In one patient these were typical of Prinzmetal's variant angina. The mannometric and electrocardiographic abnormalities were reversed by intravenous atropine. Ischemic heart disease and esophageal motor disorders may occur concomitantly and pose a dilemma in diagnosis and management. (AU)