Chapter 8 Signs and Symptoms of Digestive Disorder

Question 1

Anorexia

Answer 1

Absense of appetite. Related to bulimia. Is mainly a psychological disorder but GI is also consulted.

Question 2

Bulimia

Answer 2

Binging of food then purging or vomiting

Question 3

GI

Answer 3

Gastrointestinal doctor/ gastroenterologist

Question 4

Proctologist

Answer 4

Rectum and anus specialist

Question 5

What does anorexia & bulimia cause

Answer 5

Nutrition disorders/lack of nutrition
Constipation
Diarrhea
Stomach acid damage to esophagus wall and teeth (due to purging)

Question 6

Ascites

Answer 6

End stage liver disease…edema of abdomen.

Question 7

How does ascites work?

Answer 7

Scar tissue is formed in wall of liver with causes it to be impermeable to blood. This causes backup of blood. The body releases plasma of blood to reduce swelling, but it ends up collecting in the abdominal cavity and causing abdominal edema

Question 8

Characteristics of Ascites?

Answer 8

It is heavy, painful, and makes stomach area bulging and hard to the touch.
Can also cause abdominal herniation, which is when the bellybutton herniates/protrudes.
Can flow into pulmonary cavity and either cause atelectasis or drown the person.

Question 9

Borborygmus

Answer 9

Noises your digestive system makes as it digests/moves around food/liquids. Most of the time it needs to be auscultated to be heard. Auscultate in four quadrants.

Question 10

Why is borborygmus important?

Answer 10

It can be used to detect stop in the flow of food or peristalsis. This will cause infection and is deadly. Signs: lack of bowel movement.

Question 11

How is stop in flow of food caused

Answer 11

Lack of fiber or dehydration. Foods that are high in fiber include fruits and veggies

Question 12

Constipation

Answer 12

Hardening/backup if stool due to dehydration or lack of fiber in diet. Stool hardens and gets stuck in intestines, causing buildup.

Question 13

Dehydration

Answer 13

Lack of water in the body. Can be caused by diarrhea or sickness. Can cause neurological damage and cognitive damage.

Question 14

Diarrhea

Answer 14

Excessive flow of feces. lack of water intake from large intestine. Is dangerous in infants b/c it can cause dehydration within 1-2 days of diarrhea

Question 15

Dyspepsia

Answer 15

Difficulty digesting/indigestion. Can be caused by eating too much high HDL or LDL foods that your body does not need

Question 16

Dysphagia

Answer 16

Difficulty swallowing. Can be caused by strep throat

Question 17

Emesis

Answer 17

Vomiting

Question 18

Eructation

Answer 18

Burping

Question 19

Flatus

Answer 19

Flatulence/passing gas

Question 20

Halitosis

Answer 20

Bad breath caused by bad hygiene or imbalance of mouth flora

Question 21

Hematemesis

Answer 21

Vomiting blood

Question 22

Hematochezia

Answer 22

Defecation of blood. Can be new blood or digested blood.

Question 23

What is LGI bleed?

Answer 23

Lower gastrointestinal bleed. It is identified by fresh blood in feces, and indicates cancer or a hemorrhoid

Question 23

What is UGI bleed?

Answer 23

Upper gastrointestinal bleed. Identified by old digested black blood (occult blood) in feces. Indicates blood in upper digestive tract, meaning stomach. Indicates stomach ulcer.

Question 24

Jaundice

Answer 24

Yellow pigmentation of skin due to problem with the liver.

Question 25

What does Jaundice indicate in infants?

Answer 25

The liver doesn’t work yet. It can be kickstarted by placing the infant in the tanning bed or the sun for 15-20 mins

Question 26

Why does liver problems cause jaundice?

Answer 26

Liver cannot break down a chemical in the blood, which is yellow. This causes buildup of this yellow chemical and later on it seeps into the skin. Jaundice itself is not fatal, but the liver problem could be.

Question 27

Nausea

Answer 27

Feeling before vomiting

Question 28

Regurgitation

Answer 28

Return of swallowed food from the stomach. Is normal if it is not regular, but if it happens often, it can cause esophagus damage and needs to be treated.

Question 29

Ulcer

Answer 29

Erosion of mucosal membrane anywhere along the digestive tract.

Question 30

What is a stomach ulcer called?

Answer 30

Peptic ulcer

Question 31

What is anq ulcer in the duodenum called?

Answer 31

Duodenal ulcer

Question 32

What is an ulcer in the mouth called?

Answer 32

Canker sore

Question 33

Can you treat an ulcer?

Answer 33

No, it must heal on its own. This can take a very long time.

Question 34

How are ulcers caused

Answer 34

Hydrochloric acid or stomach acid eating away at digestive lining.
Diet- spicy/acidic foods
Nervousness (stomach produces hydrochloric acid when nervous)
NSAIDS (when taken on an empty stomach, it intensifies hydrochloric acid.)