DISEASES OF THE ENS Flashcards
1
Q
How can age affect the enteric nervous system?
A
As age increases the ENS function decreases. This could be due to increased death of neurones and can influence appetite
2
Q
What is Changa’s disease and how does it affect the ENS?
A
- Endemic in South America
- Trypanosome parasite is transferred into human blood via an insect vector
- Produces a toxin that kills neurones in the ENS
- This also means it is harder for the toxin to be destroyed by the stomach
3
Q
What is achalasia and how does it affect the ENS?
A
- Disorder of the oesophagus which makes it hard to swallow food
- Possibly autoimmune
- Loss of inhibitory neurones in the myenteric plexus or in the sphincter
- Affects older people more
4
Q
What is Hirschsprung’s disease and how does it affect the ENS?
A
- Megacolon
- Poo stuck in the bowel
- Bowel no longer squeezes to pass faeces along
- Found commonly in babies and young children
5
Q
What are the effects of congenital absence of ENS neurones
A
- Manifests soon after birth
- Missing neurones usually in the distal colon
- Waste gets to the distal colon but can’t be pushed out
- Peristalsis wave stops
- Megacolon forms
- Build-up of waste causes a build-up of bacteria which can cause colitis
- Worst cases - surgery needed to remove colon
6
Q
Name 3 diseases that are associated with abnormal ENS function
A
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peripheral neuropathies
- Myasthenia Gravis
- IBS
7
Q
Explain IBS
A
- Disruption of communication between CNS and ENS
- Functional change in ENS and mental health
- Changes in microbiome
8
Q
Where are opioids found in the body?
A
In the ENS
9
Q
Give an example of am endogenous opioid and the receptors it affects
A
- Imodium which decreases the frequency of diarrhoea
- It can however cause constipation - analgesia
