[Rationality and irrationality in the medicine and in the life]. / Racionalita a iracionalita v medicíne v zivote.

The spiritual life of man has a rational and irrational component. Both have positive as well as negative effects and under normal circumstances they are well balanced. In medicine rationality is an essential feature of the medical science and the basis of medical practice but it is not sufficient for fulfilling all curative needs. In the practice, gaps in knowledge must be complemented by empiricism and empathy which originate in the personality of the physician.

Endoscopic diagnosis of gastritis. Pros and cons.

The endoscopic characteristics of inflammation in the stomach, in contrast to those of the esophagus and colon, are inconspicuous or lacking. "Endoscopic gastritis" does not correlate sufficiently with "histologic gastritis" and the term "gastritis" is to be limited to cases confirmed histologically. Terminology of gastric mucosa changes should be based on macroscopic features and should use descriptive terms proposed by the OMED nomenclature.

[Diagnosis and therapy of functional gastric and intestinal disorders]. / Diagnostika a terapie funkcních zaludecních a strevních poruch.

The author summarizes his own views and experience as regards the classification, diagnosis and treatment of gastric and intestinal dyspepsias. In the diagnosis he emphasizes in particular a detailed case-history, in treatment and individual approach based on careful analysis and careful interviews with every patient.

Celiac (solar) plexus syndrome. A frequently overlooked source of abdominal pain.

Of the nonorganic abdominal disorders the celiac/solar plexus syndrome represents a frequently seen entity characterized by the typical association of epigastric pain and "lambda-type" tenderness. It is a special type of abdominal neurosis in which the pain arises in the periaortic nervous plexuses. Its clinical importance is in the differential diagnosis, since it is often misinterpreted as a painful condition of abdominal or retroperitoneal origin.

[New developments in the treatment of non-specific intestinal inflammation]. / Novinky v lécení nespecifických strevních zánetu.

This term comprises idiopathic proctocolitis (IPC) and regional enteritis (RE, Crohn's disease). Despite a number of similarities (similar age, symptoms, immunology, drugs), the two conditions differ substantially (site, pathology, surgery) and thus from a practical aspect it is essential to differentiate them. The term "ulcerative colitis" comprises also other inflammations, e.g. recently identified infections with causal agents which are difficult to diagnose. There are also several types of regional enteritis which differ as to their course and sequelae. As regards medical treatment, in both conditions in particular corticosteroids are used and 5-aminosalicylic acid. An important novelty are 5-aminosalicylic acid tablets with prolonged action; different types are used depending on the site of the disease. Surgical treatment differs not only as to its frequency but also by the type of operation. In regional enteritis operations confined to the affected site are used, while in idiopathic proctocolitis standard operations are available: proctocolectomy, colectomy with an ileorectal anastomosis, with continent ileostomy or with an ileoanal anastomosis and reservoir. The latter is preferred nowadays.