digestive diseases Flashcards
disrupts digestion in one way or another, causing health problems that range from mild to serious. It can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, liver, pancreas, or gallbladder.
a digestive disease
What are some types of digestive system diseases?
Some types include:
Gastroenteritis
Celiac Disease
Constipation and Diarrhea
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Colitis
Diverticular Disease
Acid Reflux
Rectal and Anal Problems
Peptic Ulcers
Colon Polyps and Cancer
Pancreatitis
an infection of the gastrointestinal tract caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or chemicals. Common viruses include norovirus and rotavirus.
Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis?
Symptoms include:
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain/cramping
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Fatigue
an autoimmune disorder where the immune system reacts to gluten, causing damage to the small intestine. It is treated with a gluten-free diet.
celiac disease
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Symptoms include:
Abdominal bloating
Abdominal pain/cramping
Diarrhea/Constipation
Gas
Nausea/vomiting
Lactose intolerance
Greasy, foul-smelling stools
Fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, with hard or painful stools.
Constipation
More than 3 bowel movements per day, with loose or watery stools.
Diarrhea
a chronic condition affecting the large intestine, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and either diarrhea or constipation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
What are the different types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
IBS with Constipation (IBS-C)
IBS with Diarrhea (IBS-D)
IBS with Mixed Bowel Habits (IBS-M)
includes chronic inflammation of the GI tract, with conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The exact cause is unknown but involves genetics and immune system dysregulation.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
What are the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Chronic diarrhea
Blood in stool
Mucus in stool
Weight loss
Fatigue
inflammation of the colon. It can be caused by infections, IBD, lack of blood flow, or certain medications.
colitis
What are the symptoms of colitis?
Symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Abdominal bloating
Dark stools or blood in stools
Diarrhea
Fever
Dehydration
What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?
Symptoms include:
Abdominal pain (lower left side)
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea/Constipation
Fever and chills
What is diverticular disease?
Diverticular disease includes two conditions:
Diverticulosis: Small pouches form in the colon wall.
Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of the pouches.
when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. It causes heartburn, chest pain, and discomfort, and can lead to serious complications if untreated.
acid reflux (GERD)
What are the symptoms of GERD (acid reflux)?
Symptoms include:
Heartburn
Chest pain
Nausea
Difficulty swallowing
Chronic cough
What are rectal and anal problems?
These include conditions like:
Anal Fissures
Anal Fistulas
Hemorrhoids
a small tear in the skin of the anal canal. It can cause sharp pain during or after bowel movements, along with bright red blood on the stool.
anal fissure
an abnormal tunnel that connects the anal canal to the skin around the anus, often caused by an infected anal gland. Symptoms include pain, redness, itching, and pus drainage.
anal fistula
are swollen veins around the anus or lower rectum. They can be internal (inside the anus) or external (around the anus), causing symptoms like itching, pain, and rectal bleeding.
hemorrhoids
inflammation of the rectum lining. It can be caused by infections, radiation therapy, or inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with symptoms like pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and mucus in the stool.
proctitis
occurs when the rectum slips out of its normal position and protrudes through the anus. Symptoms include bleeding, tissue bulging, and fecal incontinence, more common in women over 50.
rectal prolapse
What are the symptoms of peptic ulcers?
Symptoms include:
Upper abdominal pain
Indigestion
Nausea
Vomiting
Bloating
Black or tarry stools
Vomiting blood
are growths on the lining of the colon or rectum. While most are non-cancerous, some can develop into colon cancer over time, making regular screening important.
Colon polyps
What are the symptoms of colon polyps?
Most colon polyps do not cause symptoms. However, if symptoms occur, they may include:
Rectal bleeding
Dark-colored stools
Fatigue (due to anemia)
inflammation of the pancreas. Common causes include gallstones, alcohol consumption, and certain medications. It can cause sudden and severe abdominal pain, requiring emergency care.
pancreatitis
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?
Symptoms include:
Severe upper abdominal pain
Abdominal swelling
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Rapid heart rate
What are some digestive diseases and their potential complications?
Diseases include gastroenteritis, celiac disease, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, IBD, colitis, diverticular disease, acid reflux, pancreatitis, and colon cancer. If untreated, complications may include dehydration, malnutrition, cancer, or death.
What should you do if digestive symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop?
If symptoms worsen, last longer than usual, or new symptoms appear, seek immediate medical attention. This could indicate a more serious condition that requires treatment.
