Digestive Flashcards
Missing Teeth
Causes: Dental decay(due to periodontal disease), dental disease, congenitally missing, impacted and prevented from erupting
Prevention: Proper dental hygiene, mouth guard during sports
Impacted Third Molar
Causes: No room to erupt(bone structure or adjacent teeth blocking)
Develops at 8-10 years old, erupt at 17-21 years old
Pericoronitis
Causes: Infection around partially erupted tooth, food trapping in spaces between the teeth
Prevention: Proper dental hygiene
Dental Caries
Causes: Cavity-causing bacteria breaking down sugars into acid plaque, demineralization, stomach acid
Prevention: Proper oral hygiene, limit sweets,
Discolored Teeth
Causes: Age(yellow), smoking(brown), wine, coffee, tea, blueberries, drugs, tetracycline during childhood, antibacterial mouthwash, pertusiss(patches), measles(patches), excess fluoride(white/brown spots), hereditary factors
Prevention: Avoiding smoking, coffee, tea and red wine, whitening products
Gingivitis
Causes: Plaque, vitamin deficiencies, glandular disorders, blood diseases, viral infections, certain medications, pregnant people and diabetics more susceptible
Prevention: Proper oral hygiene, removal of plaque at gum line, avoid excess brushing, avoid abrasives
Periodontitis(Periodontal Disease)
Causes: End result of gingivitis, bacteria, smoking, medications, chemotherapy, diabetes, HIV, stress, poor nutrition, pregnancy
Prevention: Professional cleaning, proper oral hygiene
Oral Tumors
Causes: Idiopathic, tobacco seems to have some influencing in it developing into malignancy
Prevention: Avoid chronic irritation to lips and mouth, evaluate any lumps ASAP
Malocclusion
Risks/Causes: Hereditary, early loss of primary teeth, thumb sucking, airway problems, shifting of teeth to fill the spaces
Prevention: Discourage oral habitats, address airway problems ASAP
Temporomandibular Joint(TMJ) Syndrome
Causes: Unbalanced activity of jaw muscles due to bruxism, malocclusion, rheumatoid/degenerative arthritis, clenching, gum chewing, neoplasm
Prevention: Regular checkups to identify underlying conditions, treat underlying conditions to prevent onset of TMJ
Tooth Abscesses
Causes: Decaying/dying tooth, tooth structure loss, dental nerves exposed to bacteria
Prevention: Proper oral hygiene, regular dental check ups
Mouth Ulcers
Causes: Aphthous(stress, illness), Traumatic(injury, hto food burn, toothbrush), Acute(mechanical trauma, viral/bacterial infection stress)
Prevention: None, prevent trauma
Herpes Simplex(Cold Sores)
Causes: Herpes type 1, recurrence(sun, wind, stress nicotine, stimulants such as caffeine, chocolate)
Prevention: Early antivirals, avoid contact with cold sores, gentle cleansing with antiseptic soap
Thrush
Risks: Common in young children, immunodeficiency, elderly
Causes: Fungal infection(Candida albicans), lowered resistance due to antibiotic treatment, cancer, chemotherapy, diabetes, glucocorticoids
Prevention: Rinse mouth after inhaling corticosteroids
Necrotizing Periodontal Disease
Risks/Causes: Anaerobic, opportunistic bacteria, poor oral hygiene, bacterial infection secondary to gingivitis, HIV/AIDS, stress, poor nutrition, throat infection, leukemia, oral contraceptives
Prevention: Professional cleaning, proper oral hygiene, avoid smoking, good diet
Oral Leukoplakia
Risks/Causes: Elderly, chronic irritation(friction, cheek biting, denture, rubbing), reaction to heat from tobacco, local irritation from chewing tobacco
Prevention: Avoid exposure to persistent irritation, eliminate tobacco
Oral Cancer
Risks/Causes: Sun exposure, alcohol, tobacco, cigarette smoking, Betel nut chewing, infection with HPV, poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, premalignant(oral leukoplakia)
Prevention: Mouth exam to detect premalignant or early malignant lesions, abstinence from tobacco/alcohol
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD)
Risks/Causes: Overeating, pregnancy, weight gain, relaxation of LES or increase in intra-abdominal pressure, hiatal hernia, medications(theophylline, calcium channel blockers, birth control, antihistamines, antispasmodics), coffee, alcohol
Prevention: Manage causes that can be controlled
Esophageal Varices
Risks/Causes: Alcoholic gastritis, increased pressure in veins(venous return to liver impeded), alcoholic cirrhosis
Prevention: Hepatic disease may or may not be preventable
Esophagitis
Risks/Causes: Corrosive(ingestion of caustic chemical, alkali/acid), Erosive(antibiotics without enough water, chemical injury), hiatal hernia
Prevention: Avoid alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine to relieve symptoms, none
Esophageal Cancer
Risks: SCC(Asian, African, Iranian, cigarette smoking, alcohol, betel nut chewing, drinking hot beverages, eating foods containing N-nitroso compounds, history of head and neck cancer or underlying esophageal disease), Adenocarcinoma(Caucasians, males, Barrett’s esophagus, GERD, smoking, obesity, near gastroesophageal junction)
Prevention: Endoscopy for people with Barrett’s esophagus to screen, avoid alcohol and smoking
Gastric and Duodenal Peptic Ulcers
Risks/Causes: Middle-aged men, Helicobacter pylori, NSAID use, chronic gastritis, ulcerogenic drugs(alcohol, aspirin, smoking), increase of acid/gastric juice
Prevention: Avoid alcohol and smoking, follow instructions for NSAIDs and aspirin
Gastritis
Risks/Causes: H. pylori, medications cause damage(aspirin, anti-inflammatory), poison, alcohol, smoking, infectious diseases, stress, mechanical injury(swallowing foreign object), repeated ingestion of irritating foods
Chronic: Peptic ulcer disease, recurring exposure to radiation, history of chronic disease
Idiopathic, lack of gastric acid(B12 deficiency)
Prevention: Same of Gastric and Duodenal Peptic Ulcers
Gastric Cancer
Risks: Japanese
Causes: H. pylori(cancer is distal stomach), Barrett’s esophagus(cancer in proximal stomach), smoking, gastric surgery, genetics, dietary factors(high salt, low vegetables)
Prevention: Most develop metastases, incurable in 50% of patients, 5 year survival rate is almost 20%
Acute Appendicitis
Risks/Causes: Obstruction of lumen(due to lymphoid hyperplasia, fecaliths, parasites, foreign bodies, Crohn’s Disease, primary/metastatic cancer), bacterial invasion of walls of appendix, common in 20-40 year old bracket
Prevention: None known, remove during other surgeries
Hiatal Hernia
Risks/Causes: Congenital defects/weakness in diaphragm, weakening of muscle due to old age, trauma, intra-abdominal pressure, sometimes exact cause is uncertain
Prevention: Not possible
Abdominal Hernia
Risks/Causes: Surgical sites and umbilicus, pregnancy and heavy lifting
Prevention: Avoid heavy lifting and trauma if weak abdominal wall, avoid smoking that causes coughing
Crohn’s Disease(Regional Enteritis)
Risks/Causes: Unknown, immunological factors, autoimmune factors, allergies, genetics, high stress can exacerbate
Prevention: Preventing complications
Ulcerative Colitis
Risks/Causes: Starts at 15-30, less frequent 50-70, whites, people of Jewish descent, runs in families, autoimmune response
Prevention: Prevent and manage recurrent attacks and complications
Gastroenteritis
Risks/Causes: Disease-causing pathogens, ingestion of poisons, chronic ingestion of spicy/irritating food, alcoho, caffeine, aspirin, other anti-inflammatory agents, complications of other illnesses
Prevention: Education at eliminating cause, frequent and thorough hand-washing, avoidance of foods not well refrigerated/undercooked
Intestinal Obstruction
Risks: Middle-aged and elderly people
Causes: Neoplasms, foreign bodies, fecal impaction, strictures, sompression, colculus, intussusception, strangulated hernia, adhesions, necrosis
Prevention: Screening tests for cancer, laxative therapy to prevent impaction
Diverticulosis(Diverticular Disease)
Risks/Causes: Common with age, weak points in muscular layer of large intestine, distal part of colon, sigmoid colon
Prevention: Plenty of fluids, bran therapy/high-fibre diet rich in fruits and vegetables prevent constipation and straining during defecation
Diverticulitis
Causes: Fecal matter trapped in one or more diverticula, lack of dietary bulk, inadequate fluid intake, constipation, fecal plugs in diverticula
Prevention: Regular elimination for soft formed stools
Colorectal Cancer
Third most common cancer site/cancer death
Risks/Genetics: 50 years old, genetics(familial adenomatous polyposis), history of large adenomatous polyps, diabetes mellitus, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, cancer, smoking, obesity
Prevention: Diet high in fruits and vegetables, exercise to maintain healthy weight, regular use of NSAIDs and aspirin, screening
Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis
Risks/Causes: Use of antibiotics, healthcare facilities where fecal contamination is more likely, abdominal surgery, age of 65 years old
Prevention: Infection control, caution in prescribing antibiotics, avoid swallowing pool water
Short Bowel Syndrome
Risks/Causes: Disease or surgery, type and degree depends on length and site of resection and degree of adaption of remaining bowel
Prevention: Monitor for manifestations of malnutrition and weight loss after surgical resection
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Risks: Acute gastointestinal infection, chronic pain disorders(fibromyalgia), lactose intolerance, back pain, urinary symptoms, anxiety, depression, 20-40 years old, women, stressful events
Causes: Unknown
Prevention: Exact cause unknown so no prevention
Peritonitis
Risks/Causes: Primary(blood-borne organisms originating in GI/genital tract), Secondary(source is contaminated by GI secretions resulting from perforation of GI tract or intra abdominal organs, noninvasive secretions(bile from ruptured gallbladder), E.coli, L.pneu monia, Enterococcus species, P.aeruginosa
Prevention: Treating the many underlying causes
Hemorrhoids
Risks/Causes: Constipation, straining, pregnancy exacerbates condition
Prevention: Avoid constipation, straining, heavy-lifting; High-bulk diet
Liver Cirrhosis
Risks/Causes: Men, chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, hepatitis, parasites, toxic chemicals, congestive heart failure, genetics(Wilson’s Disease, hemochromatosis), idiopathic
Prevention: Early diagnosis, prevent progression to cirrhosis, avoid chemical and alcohol toxins, prevent infections that damage liver, caution when taking medications that are hard on liver
Viral Hepatitis
Risks/Causes: Systemic infection, endemic in much of the world, viral agents
Hepatitis A
Risks/Causes: Contaminated water or stool with HAV
Prevention: Vaccination against HAV, proper sanitation, hand washing, and thorough cooking of food
Hepatitis B(Serum Hepatitis)
Transmitted through percutaneous and perimucosal routes(blood, semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, secual contact, contaminated needles), onset insidious, animnotransferase levels higher than HAV, infected mother can transfer to child in birth
Prevention: Vaccination, avoid needle sticks
Hepatitis C
HCV transmitted by blood and body fluids(blood transfusions, needle sticks, sexual transmission), widespread epidemic, most common blood borne infection
Prevention: Avoid contact with body fluids
Liver Cancer
Risks/Causes: HBV infection, hereditary hemochromatosis, cirrhosis, exposure to aflatoxins
Primary cancer(rare in developed parts of the world, major cause of cancer death in Asia/Africa), Secondary(more common, usually develops as metastasis)
Prevention: Vaccination against HBV, screening
Cholelithiasis(Gallstones)
Risks/Causes: Increasing age, high-calorie and high-cholesterol diets, obesity, females, oral contraceptive use, ileal disease, diabetes mellitus
Prevention: Low-fat diet, surgery to prevent chronic obstruction and complications(Sepsis, stricture, pancreatitis)
Cholecystitis
Causes: Trauma, infection, blocking of bile duct due to gallstones
Prevention: Early medical attention, dietary modifications early
Pancreatitis
Risks/Causes: Alcoholism, biliary tract disease, trauma, infection, structural anomalies, elevated calcium, hemorrhage, hyperlipidemia, drug triggers, smoking, gallstones, idiopathic
Prevention: Avoid clinical conditions, medications, and toxins associated with acute pancreatitis
Pancreatic Cancer
Fourth leading cause of cancer related death
Risks/Causes: 45-60 year olds, cigarette smoking, obesity, history of chronic pancreatitis, diabetes risk factors
Prevention: Cessation of smoking, screening
Malnutrition
Risks/Causes: Kwashiorkor(trauma, burns, sepsis), Marasmus(chronic diseases, COPD, congestive heart failure, cancer, AIDS), increased intake of energy and protein, increased nutrient loss or increased requirement, loss of nutrients from glycosuria, malabsorption, diarrhea, nutrient requirements increase by fever, surgery, neoplasia or burns
Prevention: Correct nutritional deficiencies, restore weight, prevent complications
Malabsoption Syndrome
Risks/Causes: Defective mucosal cells and small intestine, diseased pancreas, blocked duct, hepatic disease, hyperparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus, parasitic and worm infections
Prevention: Specific and Non-Specific Therapies
Celiac Disease(Gluten Enteropathy)
Risks/Causes: Genetics, females
Prevention: None known, early detection and treatment to avoid complications
Food Poisoning
Risks/Causes: True Food Poisoning(mushroom, shellfish, food with poisonous insecticide, toxic substances), food that has undergone putrefaction or decomposition, food that has been contaminated with bacteria or their toxins
Prevention: Infection control techniques, careful hand-washing, avoid drinking untreated water, cook food thoroughly, refrigerate food properly
Anorexia Nervosa
Risks/Causes: Unknown, family and social factors, predominantly younger women, stress hormones and biological factors, social and cultural factors, compulsive personality, psychological disturbance, distorted body image, compulsion to be thin
Prevention: None, Awareness campaigns, shift from valuing body size and shape to valuing inner qualities and personality
Bulimia
Risks/Causes: Unknown, women(young, white, middle/upper-class women, psychosocial factors, depression, control issues, conflict
Motion Sickness
Risks/Causes: Excessive stimulation of vestibular apparatus caused by angular and linear movement
Prevention: Eat only small amounts of food, prevention easier than treatment, sit in a vehicle that has least motion or where the horizon can be seen, avoid food or liquid before travel, take antiemetics in anticipation of a motion event
