Disorders of the Upper GI Tract Flashcards
What is dysphagia?
difficulty swallowing
The act of swallowing occurs in two stages what are the two stages?
1st stage : oropharyngeal - transfer of food from the mouth and pharynx to the esophagus
2nd stage : esophageal - the bolus goes from the esophagus to the stomach
what are the S/S of oropharyngeal dysphagia?
inability to swallow, coughing during or after swallowing, NASAL regurgitation, bad breath, gurgling noise after swallowing, a hoarse or “wet” voice, speech disorder
What are the S/S of esophageal dysphagia?
food ‘sticking” in the esophagus (difficulty passing bolus through the esophagus into the stomach
usually from an obstruction in the esophagus or to a motility disorder
What disorders do we suggest pureed foods for?
dysphagia and mouth ulcers
What is aspiration?
food or liquid entering the trachea or lungs
what is choking?
food in the trachea BLOCKING the airway
what is Sitophobia?
the fear of eating (usually from previous choking experience)
what is Reflux esophagitis?
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- inflammation of the esophagus
- regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus
what is a Hiatal Hernia?
portion of the stomach in the chest cavity
What are the S/S of Dyspepsia?
general symptoms of indigestion
-stomach pain, heartburn, early satiety, vomiting, bloating
What are the causes of Dyspepsia?
Medical Conditions:
-peptic ulcers, GERD, motility disorders, malabsorpative disorders, gallbladder disease, abdominal tumors
Systemic Disorders:
-Diabetes mellitus, renal disease, thyroid disease, heart failure
Medications
Dietary supplements/ Type of Food
What are the treatments for Dyspepsia?
small meals, eat slowly, take antacids, don’t use straw(air can worsen symptoms)
What are the side effects of Antacids?
Na (hypertension)
Ca (kidney stones)
Al (depletion of phosphorus, constipation, and weak bones)
Why are ulcers seen a lot in the Elderly?
because they have less acid in their stomachs
What is Gastritis?
inflammation of the stomach mucosa
acute and chronic
causes:
- infection : bacterial, viral, fungal
- esp. H. Pylori
- Checmicals : alcohol, cocain
- Drugs : aspirin
What are Peptic Ulcers?
erosion of the stomach lining
Cause: H. Pylori, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (excessive acid secretion)
A lot of people are asymptomatic or mild discomfort
S/S
-hunger pain, burning pain in stomach region, sometimes aggravated by food
What can Peptic Ulcers cause?
GI bleeding, perforation of the stomach or duodenum
Define Gastrectomy
partial or total removal of the stomach
What is Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome?
excessive acid secretion
What are the two types of Partial Gastrectomies?
Gastroduodenostomy
Gastrojejunostomy
What is a total Gastrectomy?
complete removal of the stomach, the intestine is attached to the esophagus
What two types of gastrectomies could result in a blind loop( part of the intestine left over after the attachment where food will not pass through).
Gastrojejunostomy or Total Gastrectomy
What is the postgastrectomy diet?
Carbohydrate-Controlled : slow the passage of food
Prevent hypoglycemia and dumping syndrome
fluids and food withheld until some healing has occurred
small, frequent meals and snacks, mostly soft, low-fat foods
liquids limited during meals (1/2 cup) : too much liquid will increase the passage of food
Why don’t you want a postgastrectomy patient to have food pass quickly through their intestines?
because the stomach has been removed fully or partially they will have to rely more on their intestines to digest the food. if too fast absorption will be lessened
What is blind loop syndrome?
Blind Loop: left over section of intestines after stomach surgeries
overgrows bacteria: stagnate, static condition…. leads to… deficiency in Vitamin B12, folate and bile
What is dumping syndrome?
when you have rapid emptying of undigested food into the small intestines
water moves (flooded) into the intestines
usually common after stomach surgery
When do early symptoms of dumping syndrome occur and what are they?
30 mins after eating
cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat
When do late symptoms of dumping syndrome occur and what are they?
1-3 hours of eating
anxiety, confusion, headache, hunger, palpations, sweating
What is the suggestion for patients who experience dumping syndrome?
smaller meals, eat slowly, limit fluid intake, avoid excessive sugar
T/F Dumping syndrome can occur with the gastric band surgery.
FALSE. it can occur with a Gastric Bypass though (where the stomach is partially removed for weight loss)
Why is it suggested that those who have gastrectomies avoid excessive sugar?
because sugar attracts water just like salt and you don’t want the food to move too fast through the intestines
