Digestive Diseases

Question 1

Stomach Ulcers [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 1

Painful sores or ulcers in the lining o the stomach or duodenum
Gnawing/burning pain in between stomach during meals, vomiting blood
Bacterial
Anitbiotics

Question 2

Acid Reflux/GERD [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 2

Stomach contents leak into esophagus
Heartburn
Cardiac sphincter doesn’t close well due to inappropriate relaxation
TUMS (antiacids)

Question 3

Colonoscopy

Answer 3

Diagnostic technique: Endoscopic examination with a fiberoptic camera through rectum to look for cancerous polyps in the colon

Question 4

Celiac Disease [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 4

Massive inflammation to GI tract and damages lining of small intestine
Bloating
No known cause
Treatment: avoid gluten, increase fiber

Question 5

Ulcerative colitis [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 5

Chronic inflammation (ulcers in the colon) - autoimmune
Bloody stool, intense pain
Abnormal response in immune system and develops ulcers
Corticosteroids to reduce number of attacks

Question 6

Irritable Bowel Syndrome [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 6

Alternating constipation/diarrhea
Nerves, food eaten
Modification of diet, or Pepto Bismol

Question 7

Diverticulitis [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 7

Small bulging cysts of feces/bacteria that will push out the muscularis externa
Fever and chills
Low fiber diet

Surgery to remove or increase fiber

Question 8

Pancreatic Cancer [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 8

Tumor blocking bile duct
Asymptomatic, severe weight loss
No cause known (common in people with diabetes)
Chemotherapy

Question 9

Barrett’s esophagus [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 9

Esophagus lining damaged due to stomach acid (serious acid reflux - GERDs leads to Barrett’s)
Heartburn, burning sensation in throat
Cardiac sphincter malfunctioning and causing damage to esophagus
Remove harmful tissue with surgery

Question 10

Crohn’s disease [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 10

Inflammatory auto-immune disease lining digestive tract
Abdominal pain, severe diarrhea
Unknown cause - autoimmune disease
Surgery to remove damaged parts of intestine

Question 11

Pancreatitis [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 11

Inflammation of the pancreas
Swollen and tender abdomen
Digestive enzymes are released in duodenum and attack pancreas, gallstones
Stop alcohol consumption

Question 12

Appendicitis [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 12

Inflammation of appendix
Stabbing feeling in lower abdomen
Appendix blocked by foreign object/infection
Surgery to remove appendix

Question 13

Gastroenteritis [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 13

Inflammation of the stomach/intestines (aka stomach flu)
Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea
Viral, bacterial, parasites, food-borne illnesses
Depending on the type of infection, that kind of treatment

Question 14

Hemorrhoids [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 14

Inflamed veins in anus/lower rectum
Anal itching, leakage of feces
Pressure causes veins to swell
Home treatments (stool softeners)

Question 15

Liver Cirrhosis [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 15

Killing of hepatoctyes
Jaundice
End result of chronic liver disease, Hep B, excessive alcohol
Liver transplant

Question 16

Acetaminophen Toxicity [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 16

Overdose <3g of acetaminophen
Dark urine
Liver damage
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) procedure

Question 17

Liver Fibrosis [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 17

Scarring of the liver, end result of killing hepatocytes
Abdominal pain
Excessive scar tissue builds (viral, toxins, obesity)
Liver transplant (irreversible treatment)

Question 18

Hepatitis A [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 18

Inflammation/disease of the liver due to HepA virus
Fever, jaundice
Orally spread (eating/drinking contaminated)
Natural healing without treatment

Question 19

Hepatitis B [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 19

Inflammation/disease of the liver from HepB virus
Jaundice, fever
Contact with HepB virus from blood, semen, fluids from another person

Question 20

Hepatitis C [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 20

Viral disease that leads to swelling of liver
Nausea, vomiting
Blood to blood contact
Leads to risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer, transplant may be necessary

Question 21

Jaundice [definition, symptoms, causes, treatments]

Answer 21

Yellowing color of the skin and eyes
Yellow skin, yellow eyes
Failure of liver removing dead BC, buildup of bilirubin
Specific treatment for specific cause (i.e removal of a gallstone blocking the bile duct)