Gastric Disease Flashcards
What is dyspepsia?
- A complex of upper GI tract symptoms which are present for 4+ weeks
- including upper abdominal discomfort, heartburn, acid reflux, N+V
Symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- heart burn
- acidic taste > dental erosion
- cough
- asymptomatic
What are the risk factors of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?
increased intra abdominal pressure
- obesity
- pregnancy
- lower oesophageal dysfunction
- hiatus hernia
- delayed gastric emptying
What is a hiatus hernia?
Lower oesophageal sphincter herniates through diaphragm into thorax
What are the complications of gastric oesophageal reflux disease?
- oesophagitis
- ulceration
- haemorrhage > anaemia
- strictures > dysphagia
- metaplastic changes > Barrett’s oesophagus
What is gastric oesophageal reflux disease?
Reflux of stomach contents into the oesophagus
What is Barrett’s oesophagus?
- Metaplastic change of stratified squamous epithelia into gastric columnar
- due to repeated exposure of gastric contents
. - risk of adenocarcinoma due to increased risk of dysplasia
Management of barrett’s oesophagus
- endoscopic monitioring for progression
- PPIs
- lifestyle management - smoking cessation, reduce alcohol intake, reduce stress
- endoscopic mucosal resection if high grade
- endoscopic ablation
Lifestyle management of gastric oesophageal reflux disease
- weight loss
- avoid trigger foods
- eat smaller meals
- don’t eat right before sleep
- decrease alcohol, caffeine (+smoking)
Drug management of gastric oesophageal reflux disease
- proton pump inhibitors > symptom relief + healing inflammation
- H2 receptor antagonists
Surgical management of gastric oesophageal reflux disease
- Fundoplication
- fundus of stomach wrapped around oesophagus
What is gastritis?
- Inflammation of stomach mucosa
Symptoms of gastritis
Pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Haemorrhage
Causes of acute gastritis
NSAIDs
Excessive alcohol
Chemotherapy
Bile reflux
Causes of chronic gastritis
Infection of H pylori
Autoimmune
Changes in acute gastritis
- epithelial damage
- epithelial hyperplasia
- vasodilation ’angry looking’
- neutrophil response
Changes in chronic gastritis
- lymphocyte response
- glandular atrophy
- fibrotic changes
Outline autoimmune chronic gastritis
- antibodies damage parietal cells
- decreased acid production
- decreased intrinsic factor > reduced B12 absorption in terminal ileum
- atrophy of stomach body > gastritis
Symptoms of autoimmune gastritis
- Megaloblastic anaemia
- neurological symptoms
- anorexia + loss of appetite
- glossitis
Why does Helicobacter pylori cause gastritis?
- H pylori produces ammonia > damage to cells
- cytotoxin associated gene A > expresses protein into stomach epithelia > stimulates interleukin 8 > inflammation > ^ stomach cancer risk
- vacuolating toxin A: protein which increases paracellular permeability + toxin
- secretes mucinases > damages mucus layer
Describe Helicobacter pylori
- gram negative bacteria
- helix shape
- microaerophilic > needs some O2
- faecal-oral / oral-oral
features: - produces urease > produces ammonia from urea
- flagellae for movement
- chemotaxis to find area of lower acididty
- adhesions > adhere to gastric epithelium > resists peristalsis
Consequence of H pylori in stomach antrum
- stimulates G cells to release gastrin
- ^ number of parietal cells + acid secretion
- ^ pH of chyme > damages duodenum > ulceration
Consequences of H pylori in stomach body or fundus
- atrophy of parietal cells
- increases risk of stomach cancer
Diagnosis of H pylori
- urease breath test
- stool antigen test
- endoscopy with biopsy