Gastroenterology Flashcards
What happens in GORD?
Acid from the stomach refluxes into the oesophagus and irritates the epithelium
What is the presentation of GORD?
*Heartburn
*Retrosternal/epigastric pain
*Bloating
*Hoarse voice
*Nocturnal cough
What is the management of GORD?
- Avoid triggers: alcohol, caffeine, quit smoking, lose weight, smaller lighter meals, stay upright after eating
*Gaviscon/rennies
*PPI: omeprazole or ranitidine
*Surgery: laparoscopic fundolipcation
How do you check for H.pylori infection?
*Urea breath test
*Stool antigen
*Rapid urease test during endoscopy
How is H. pylori eradicated?
*Triple therapy
*PPI
*2x antibiotics: amoxicillin and clarithromycin
*7 days
What are the complications of H.pylori infection?
*Barrett’s oesophagus
*Oesophagitis
*Anaemia
*Ulcers
*Oesophageal carcinoma
*Benign strictures
What are the features of an upper GI bleed?
*Haematemesis
*Melena
*A raised urea may be seen due to protein in blood
*Haemodynamic instability if loss is large
What are the causes of upper GI bleeds?
*Oesophageal varices (most common)
*Peptic ulcer: gastric or duodenal
*Cancer
*Mallory weiss tear
What score is used on first presentation of an upper GI bleed?
Glasgow-Blatchford Score (can it be managed as an outpatient or an inpatient?)
What is the management of an upper GI bleed?
*Resuscitation: ABC, wide bore IV access, platelet transfusion if actively bleeding
*Endoscopy within 24 hours
*Stop anticoagulants and NSAIDs
*Bloods: FBC, UEs, Coag, LFTs, Crossmatch
What is the specific management of oesophageal varies?
*Terlipressin
*Broad spectrum antibiotics (prophylactic)
*Band ligation
What are the features of acute liver failure?
*Jaundice
*Coagulopathy: raised prothrombin time (INR>1.5)
*Hypoalbuminaemia
*Hepatic encephalopathy
*May have abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
(must not have had liver failure prior otherwise it is acute on chronic)
What investigations should be carried out in someone presenting with acute liver failure?
*LFTs
*Prothrombin time
*Basic metabolic profile
*FBC
*Consider viral hepatitis PCR
What are the symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal?
*Anxiety
*Nausea and vomiting
*Autonomic dysfunction
*Insomnia
*May progress to seizures and delirium
When do symptoms of alcohol withdrawal start?
6-12 hours after last alcoholic drink
What investigations should be carried out in someone presenting with alcohol withdrawal?
*Blood glucose
*Venous gas
*FBC
*UEs
What is the management of acute alcohol withdrawal
*GMAWS: if ≥2 then give benzodiazepines
*Correct metabolic abnormalities
*Give IV fluids if required
What symptoms of IBD overlap?
*Diarrhoea
*Arthritis
*Erythema nodosum
*Pyoderma gangrenosum
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
*Chronic diarrhoea
*Weight loss
* RLQ pain
What investigations should be carried out in someone presenting with Crohns?
*FBC
*iron studies
*Fecal calprotectin
*B12
*Vit D
*Endoscopy + histology
Describe endoscopy in crohns
*Deep ulcers
*Skip lesions
Describe histology of crohns
*Goblet cells
*Granulomas
*Inflammation of all layers
How do you induce remission in crohn’s?
*Glucocorticoids
Maintenance crohns
Azathioprine or mercaptopurine
What must you assess before starting someone on azathioprine?
TPMT
What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
*Bloody diarrhoea
*Urgency
*Tenesmus (feeling like you still need to pass stool despite havng just gone)
*LLQ abdo pain
What is seen on endoscopy in UC?
*Continuous inflammation
*Colon to rectum
How do you induce remission in UC?
Aminosalicylate e.g. mesalazine
Maintenance of Ulcerative collitis
*Mesalazine
*Azathioprine
*Mercaptopurine
What are the causes of gastritis?
*H.pylori
*NSAIDs
*Alcohol
*Stress secondary to mucosal ischaemia
*Autoimmune
What are the symptoms of gastritis?
*Nausea and vomiting
*Severe emesis
*Acute abdominal pain - epigastric area
*Fever
What are the investigations for gastritis?
*H pylori
*FBC
*Consider endoscopy and gastric mucosal histology
What is the treatment of Gastritis?
*H.pylori triple therapy if indicated
*Discontinue NSAIDs, consider PPI or H2 antagonist (famotidine)
What are the symptoms of peptic ulcer?
*Abdominal pain- epigastric
*nausea
* Gastric ulcers are worse on eating, duodenal are received by eating