12A: GI Flashcards
What are signs and symptoms of GI disease?
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dysphagia, heartburn, pain, GI bleeding, fecal incontinence
What is the cause of nausea?
Nerve endings in stomach are irritated
What are the four signs of a GI bleed?
- Coffee ground emesis
- Hematesis
- Melena
- Hematochezia
What is coffee-ground emesis?
Vomiting of blood that is dark brown
What is hematesis?
Vomiting bright red color
What is melena?
Dark and tarry stools
What is hematochezia?
Bleeding from rectum
What are major causes of GI bleeds?
- Severe gastritis
- Peptic ulcers
- NSAIDs
- Chronic ETOH
- Anticoagulants
What is a hiatal hernia?
Lower part of esophagus at stomach migrates up into thoracic cage
What should you avoid with hiatal hernias?
- Supine
- Valsalva
What is GERD?
Gastric acid reflux into esophagus
What is the difference between reflux, indigestion, and GERD?
Reflux/indigestion = occasional
GERD = chronic, structural damage to esophageal lining
What is the cause of GERD?
Low pressure of LES - slower GI motility gives esophagus longer exposure to acids
What are signs of GERD?
Heartburn, irritability, refusal to feed, dysphagia, cough
What aggravates GERD symptoms?
Recumbency, bending, meals
What can GERD lead to?
Laryngitis, morning hoarseness
How is GERD diagnosed?
Barium swallow, endoscopy
What is GERD linked to?
Development of esophageal cancer
What are interventions for GERD?
- Antacids, meds
- Surgery to tighten sphincter
- Supine positioning
What foods should people with GERD avoid?
Caffeine, smoking, acidic food, spicy food, fatty or fried food
What is PUD?
Peptic Ulcer Disease - break in the lining of the stomach or duodenum
What are the most common causes of PUD?
- Genetic, chemical, bacterial
- NSAIDs, low-dose aspirin, H pylori bacterial infection
When is gastric PUD more common?
> 60 yrs
When is duodenal PUD most common?
30s
What are risk factors for gastric ulcers?
- Smoking, alcohol, NSAIDs, H pylori
- Defective mucosal defense
- Gastric hypersecretion
What are symptoms of PUD?
Typically none - no pain
How is PUD diagnosed?
GI bleed
If there is pain with PUD, how will it present?
- Burning, gnawing, cramping
- T6-T10 radiation
- Relieved with eating
Describe PUD with older adults?
- Bleeding if > 60
- Pay attention to anticoagulants
What are interventions for PUD?
- Treat the cause
- Meds to decrease acid and increase motility
What are the two types of IBD?
Chron’s and Ulceritive Colitis
What is Chron’s?
Inflammation of the ileum and colon
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Inflammation of the rectum
What are signs and symptoms of IBD?
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Bloody stool
- Weight loss
- Joint pain
What else can IBD cause?
Bleeding and colon cancer
What is IBS?
Cluster of symptoms with no real structural or chemical sign - likely GI motility issue
Who is most likely to develop IBS?
Women 20-40
What are symptoms of IBS?
- Abdominal pain constant or intermittent
- Nausea, vomiting
- Anorexia
- Bloating or distension
How is IBS diagnosed?
History, sigmoidoscopy
What are treatments for IBS?
Stress reduction, exercise, medication, dietary modification
What is diverticulitis?
Inflammation of the diverticula
When is diverticulitis the most common?
Adults > 60
Describe symptoms of diverticulitis?
L abdominal quadrant pain, can radiate to back
What are interventions for diverticulitis?
Meds - surgery is recurrent
What is peritonitis?
Inflammation of the membranous lining of the abdominal wall
What are causes of peritonitis?
Infection, trauma, surgery, contamination by bowel contents
How is peritonitis diagnosed?
X-ray, CT
What is the treatment for peritonitis?
-Fluids, antibiotics, electrolytes, surgery
