36. Digestive Alterations Flashcards
a non absorbable substance in the intestine draws excess water into the intestine and increases stool weight and volume; causes large-volume diarrhea
osmotic diarrhea
excessive mucosal secretion of fluid and electrolytes produces large volume diarrhea; can have infectious causes
secretory diarrhea
excessive motility decreases transit time and opportunity for fluid absorption resulting in diarrhea
motility diarrhea
characterized by frank bright red blood or dark, grainy digested blood (“coffee grounds”) that has been affected by stomach acid
upper GI bleeding (esophagus, stomach, duodenum)
bleeding from the jejunum, ilium, colon, or rectum
lower GI bleeding
usually caused by slow, chronic blood loss that is not obvious and results in iron deficiency anemia
occult bleeding
bright red stools
hematochezia
black tarry stools that are sticky and have a characteristic foul odor
melena
difficulty swallowing
dysphagia
2 types of dysphagia
- mechanical obstruction - functional dysphagia (neural or muscular disorders)
rare form of dysphagia related to loss of inhibitory neurons in the myenteric plexus w/ smooth muscle atrophy in the middle/lower parts of esophagus
achalasia
What does achalasia lead to?
altered esophageal peristalsis and failure of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax -> can cause distention/obstruction in esophagus
how do people manage symptoms of achalasia
- eat small meals slowly - drink fluids with meals - sleep w/ head elevated to prevent regurgitation/aspiration
reflux of acid and pepsin or bile salts from the stomach into the esophagus that causes esophagitis
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
abnormalities in the LES, esophageal motility, and gastric motility or emptying can cause what?
GERD
type of diaphragmatic hernia w/ protrusion of the upper part of the stomach through the diaphragm into the thorax
hiatal hernia
proximal portion of stomach moves into the thoracic cavity through the esophageal hiatus
sliding hiatal hernia (type 1; most common)
herniation of the greater curvature of the stomach through a secondary opening in the diaphragm alongside the esophagus
paraesophageal hiatal hernia (type 2)
What can having a portion of the stomach above the diaphragm (type 2 hiatal hernia) cause?
- congestion of mucosal blood flow -> gastritis and ulcer formation - strangulation of the hernia (medical emergency)
delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical gastric outlet obstruction
gastroparesis
narrowing or blocking of the opening between the stomach and the duodenum (can be congenital or acquired)
pyloric obstruction (gastric outlet obstruction)
most common acquired cause of pyloric obstruction
- peptic ulcer disease or carcinoma near pylorus - duodenal ulcers more likely to cause obstruction
caused by any condition that prevents the normal flow of chyme through the intestines; can occur in small or large bowel
intestinal obstructions
mechanical blockage of the intestinal lumen by a lesion (most common type of intestinal obstruction)
simple obstruction