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HUSCORE > Disorders of the GI Tract (upper & lower) > Flashcards

Disorders of the GI Tract (upper & lower) Flashcards

1
Q

List the four components of the upper GI tract.

A

Buccal cavity (mouth) inc. salivary glands, teeth & tongue
Pharynx
Oesophagus
Stomach

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2
Q

What is the purpose of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES)?

A

The LES relaxes to allow the one way passage of food from the oesophagus to the stomach.
Prevents the reflux of stomach contents into the upper GI tract.

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3
Q

Describe some disorders of the oral cavity

A

Gingivitis - inflammation of gums
Stomatitis - inflammation of mucosa lining the mouth
Glossitis - inflammation of tongue
Cheilosis - dry cracking skin around corners of the mouth

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4
Q

Describe ‘dysphagia’, including symptoms, complications, treatment etc.

A

Disorder of the oesophagus
Neuromuscular condition causing difficulty swallowing
Can impact the passing of food from mouth the pharynx or the passing of food from oesophagus to stomach.

symptoms include:

  • choking
  • coughing whilst eating
  • excessive saliva/drooling

complications include:

  • weight loss
  • anorexia
  • respiratory infection e.g., pneumonia

treatment includes:

  • swallowing therapy
  • dietary changes e.g., easy to swallow foods.
  • surgery
  • feeding tubes
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5
Q

Describe GERD/GORD, including causes, symptoms, complications, treatment etc.

A

Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Also known as acid reflux.
Backward flow of the stomach contents into the oesophagus.
Muscle of the lower oesophageal sphincter relaxes, allowing stomach acid to flow upwards into oesophagus.

causes include:

  • pregnancy
  • some medication
  • hiatal hernia

complications include:

  • oesophagitis (inflammation of oesophageal lining)
  • pulmonary disease

treatment includes:

  • eat small meals more frequently (no food 3-4 hours before bed)
  • avoid alcohol and smoking
  • wear loose fitting clothes around stomach
  • drugs e.g., antacids and PPI’s (proton pump inhibitors)
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6
Q

Describe ‘dyspepsia’.

A 
Dys = bad
pepsia = digestion

Not related to any specific pathology, more general issue.

Treatment includes:

  • slow eating
  • thorough chewing
  • avoid stress
  • drugs e.g., antacids and PPI’s
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7
Q

Which bacteria is most commonly responsible for causing peptic ulcers and gastritis?

A

Helicobacter Pylori (H.Pylori)

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8
Q

Describe peptic ulcers including cause, symptoms, treatment etc.

A

Eroded lesions in the stomach (gastric ulcer) or duodenum (duodenal ulcer).

Most commonly caused by H. pylori but also:

  • aspirin/NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • gastritis
  • alcohol

Symptoms include:

  • anorexia
  • heartburn
  • weight loss

Treatment includes:

  • eradicate H. pylori
  • withdrawal of drugs/smoking/alcohol
  • antacids
  • surgery (last resort)
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9
Q

Absorption of which vitamins and minerals may be affected by gastritis and why?

A
  • Vit B12
  • calcium
  • iron

lack of intrinsic factor and gastric acid results in malabsorption (vit b12) and decreased bioavailability of the nutrients.

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10
Q

List the 4 main components of the lower GI tract

A

small intestine
large intestine
rectum
anus

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11
Q

Where does the absorption of nutrients/vitamins primarily take place?

A

small intestine

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12
Q

What is the role of the large intestine?

A

absorption of water

facilitating the excretion of fecal matter

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13
Q

What is the role of the pancreas/gall bladder in the lower GI tract?

A

supporting organs

facilitate digestion/absorption by secreting gastric juices and enzymes to the duodenum.

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14
Q

Describe constipation

A

difficulty passing stools

infrequent bowel movements (less than 3 x weekly)

feeling of incomplete excretion of poo

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15
Q

what are some of the causes of constipation?

A 
lack of fibre in diet 
lack of physical activity 
lack of fluids 
some medication/supplements e.g., iron supplement
pregnancy
depression/anxiety
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16
Q

What are some treatments for constipation?

A

increase physical activity
increase fibre (gradually) into diet
sufficient fluid intake
use of gentle laxatives

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17
Q

Describe diarrhoea

A

frequent, watery (often uncontrollable) stools

can be acute (e.g., food poisoning) or chronic (e.g., ulcerative colitis)

18
Q

What are some medical complications of diarrhoea?

A

dehydration

loss of electrolytes (especially sodium and potassium)

19
Q

How can diarrhoea be treated?

A

anti-diarrhoea medication e.g., immodium
antibiotics to kill pathogen causing diarrhoea
change diet
rehydration therapy
prebiotics

20
Q

What are some foods that can improve and worsen diarrhoea?

A 
improve:
oats
rice
potato
yoghurt 
banana
worsen:
coffee
milk 
sugary drinks 
apple juice
honey
21
Q

How do prebiotics (e.g. in banana) act as a treatment for diarrhoea?

A

prebiotics favour the growth of healthy bacteria e.g., lactobacillus bifidus, and inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms.

slow transit through the GI tract

help absorb water

22
Q

what are 2 diseases of the small intestine?

A

Coeliac disease

Steatorrhea

23
Q

Describe coeliac disease

A

inappropriate T-Cell mediated immune response following the ingestion of gluten in those genetically predisposed to be gluten intolerant.

reaction to gluten causes damage to intestinal mucosal lining and malabsorption of nutrients.

24
Q

How is coeliacs disease diagnosed?

A

blood test showing an immunoglobin response to gluten

25
Q

How does coeliacs disease change/damage the mucosal lining?

A

flattens villi and crypts become overdeveloped
results in a ‘flattening’ of the mucosal lining

this damage can be restricted to the duodenum or extend the full length of the GI tract.

26
Q

What are some medical complications/manifestations of coeliacs disease?

A
  • malabsorption - weight loss & nutrient deficiency
  • iron deficiency anaemia
  • lactose intolerance due to changes to mucosal lining
  • dermatitis herpetiformis (Severe rash)
  • stunted growth/underweight (in children)
27
Q

describe steatorrhea

A

excessive fat in stools (up to 20%)

caused by fat malabsorption due to conditions that affect the bioavailability of bile/lipase

28
Q

list 3 clinical consequences of steatorrhea

A
  • weight loss due to energy lost in faeces
  • fat sol vitamin deficiency
  • risk to bone health
29
Q

How can steatorrhea be treated?

A 
Fat restricted diet 
include MCG (medium chain glycerides) in the diet as these are more easily absorbed in the absence of gastric juices/bile
30
Q

Name the two types of inflammatory bowel disease

A

Crohn’s disease

Ulcerative colitis

31
Q

What causes inflammatory bowel diseases?

A

Exact cause unknown but believed to be multi factoral e.g.,

  • genetic
  • lifestyle
  • environment
  • diet
  • stress
32
Q

Describe Crohn’s disease

A

chronic inflammation and ulceration of the mucosa lining the GI tract including thickening/scarring of the bowel wall.

33
Q

Where in the GI tract does Crohn’s affect?

A

can affect any part of the GI tract (mouth to anus)

most commonly affects the ilium and colon

34
Q

What causes Crohn’s disease?

A

immune response to GI bacteria

sufferers of Crohn’s disease are genetically predisposed and exposed to environmental trigger

35
Q

What are some signs/symptoms of Crohn’s disease?

A 
abdominal pain
diarrhoea
fever
weight loss 
fatigue
lack of appetite
floating stools due to lipid malabsorption
36
Q

Describe ulcerative colitis

A

inflammation of the colon and rectum

37
Q

What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

A

diarrhoea with blood in stools
frequently needing to poo
pain

38
Q

How is ulcerative colitis treated?

A
  • medication that reduces inflammation e.g., corticosteroids
  • immunosuppressants
  • surgery in severe cases
39
Q

Describe diverticulosis

A

collection of herniations in the colon wall

40
Q

What causes diverticulosis?

A
  • constipation (straining puts pressure on the bowel wall)
  • risk of diverticulosis increases with age
  • lack of fibre and physical activity are risk factors
41
Q

How is diverticulosis treated?

A

increasing fibre and fluid in diet
encouraging physical activity
low fat diet

HUSCORE (10 decks)

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