Dyspepsia, GORD and Peptic Ulcer Disease Flashcards
What is dyspepsia?
Indigestion or functional dyspepsia
Not a disease as such, more of a symptom
A range of symptoms arising from upper GIT including upper abdominal pain or discomfort, heartburn, gastric reflux, nausea or vomiting
When can a diagnosis of dyspepsia occur?
When symptoms are persistent for more than 4 weeks
What are some of the possible causes of dyspepsia?
Lifestyle factors
Medication (e.g. NSAID’s)
Diseases
What is gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)?
Symptoms or complications resulting from reflux of gastric contents into oesophagus, oral cavity or lung caused by lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation
What can GORD cause?
Chronic cough
Laryngitis
What complications can GORD lead to?
Stricture
Barrett’s oesophagus
Oesophageal carcinoma
What are some of the causes of GORD?
Obesity Genetics Lifestyle Age Medications (e.g. CCB's, can have an effect on sphincter tone)
What is a peptic ulcer?
A breach/open sore in the continuity of the epithelial lining of more than 5mm in diameter, associated with inflammation on the inside lining of the oesophagus, stomach or upper portion of the small intestine
What complications can peptic ulcers caused?
Upper GI bleeds (often when patients present to hospital)
Peptic ulcers can be…
Gastric or duodenal
What are some of the causes of gastric ulcers?
H. pylori
NSAID’s
Lifestyle factors
Genetics
When do peptic ulcers develop?
When there is an imbalance between the agents that protect the epithelium and those which attack it
How can the symptoms of a peptic ulcer be described?
Lots of cross over between other conditions and are quite non-specific
Pain will be much more severe than with indigestion or GORD
What are the initial symptoms of a peptic ulcer?
Upper abdominal pain, tenderness and discomfort Heartburn or reflux Bloating Early satiety Nausea and vomiting
What are the specific symptoms of a gastric ulcer?
Pain that radiates to the back
Mainly occurs at night
Aggravated by food
Weight loss
What are the specific symptoms of a duodenal ulcer?
Epigastric pain (pain or discomfort right below your ribs in the area of your upper abdomen)
Occurs at any time
Relieved by food or antacids
Weight gain
What are the ALARMS warning signs or features for referral?
Anaemia
Loss of weight (unintentional)
Anorexia
Recurrent problems (only if aged over 55 with unexplained and persistent recent onset dyspepsia)
Melaena (dark sticky faeces)/haematemesis (vomiting blood)
Swallowing problems
What do the ALARM warning signs indicate?
The patient needs to be urgently referred rather than managed with OTC medicines
What would assessment of a patient experiencing one of these problems include?
Detailed medical and social history Medication review (NSAID's, biphosphonates, corticosteroids, calcium antagonists, nitrates, theophyllines) Blood tests (to rule out other causes) H. pylori testing X-ray Endoscopy
What does an endoscopy involve?
A flexible tube down the oesophagus and into the stomach
May also involve localised treatments
How are dyspepsia, GORD and peptic ulcers managed initially?
Identify potential causative medications and manage appropriately
Lifestyle measures also put in place
What lifestyle measures can be employed to help treat these conditions?
Smoking cessation Healthy eating Avoid known precipitants of dyspepsia (fatty, acidic or fried foods, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine) Avoid eating late in the evening Weight reduction Reduce stress Raising the head of the bed (GORD)
Can the same medications be used to treat al 3 conditions?
Yes, the same agents may be used but at different doses, for different indications and for different lengths of time
Several of these may be purchased OTC
How do antacids work?
Neutralise acid in the stomach
Are antacids available OTC?
Yes, as liquids and tablets
How should antacids be dosed?
When required for symptoms between meals and at bedtime
Usually 4 or more times daily
Should be take on a full stomach (digestion slows emptying and antacid can act for 2-4 hours as opposite to 20-40 minutes on an empty stomach)
Which are more effective, liquid or solid dosage forms of antacids?
Liquids, but they are less portable and convenient
When do side effects of antacids start to occur?
When you start to take the products regularly
What are some of the side effects of antacids?
Magnesium containing - laxative effect
Aluminium containing - constipating
Calcium containing - possible rebound acid secretion or hypercalcaemia
What must you be aware of when prescribing antacids?
Sodium content
Sodium bicarbonate is no longer prescribed alone but is present in some other preparations
Avoid if the patient is on a salt restricted diet
In which patient groups is a high sodium content undesirable?
Patients with liver, renal and cardiac conditions
Patients with hypertension
Pregnant women
Patients who cannot have high levels of sodium require a ‘low sodium preparation’, how is low sodium (Na+) defined?
Sodium content of less than 1mmol per tablet or 10ml dose
Do antacids have a lot of interactions? If so, what are they?
Not really
May impair the absorption of other drugs if taken at the same time
May damage e/c by raising the pH
May affect pH dependent renal excretion (rare) e.g. increase excretion with possible reductions in serum levels (aspirin, lithium)
What are alginates and how do they work?
Given in combination with an antacid (as in Gaviscon)
Increases the viscosity of the stomach acid and creates a protective layer or ‘raft’ that floats on top of the stomach contents to prevent acid coming back up
What are histamine H2-receptor antagonists and how do they work?
Reduce gastric acid output by blocking histamine H2-receptors