Gastroenterology Flashcards
Sx of constipation
- Less than 3 stools a week
- Hard stools that are difficult to pass
- Rabbit dropping stools
- Straining and painful passages of stools
- Abdominal pain
- Holding an abnormal posture, referred to as retentive posturing
- Rectal bleeding associated with hard stools
Causes of constipation
- MC - idiopathic
- Diet - low fibre, low water, dairy products
- Medications - opioids, antidepressants, iron supplements
- Obstruction - small/large bowel
- Haemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Psychosocial - i.e. Parkinson’s
Tx of constipation
Correct any reversible contributing factors, recommend a high fibre diet and good hydration
Start laxatives
What are haemorrhoids?
Enlarged anal vascular cushions.
What are anal cushions?
Specialised submucosal tissue that contain connections between the arteries and veins - very vascular.
They help to control anal continence, along with the internal and external sphincters.
RF for haemorrhoids
pregnancy, obesity, increased age and increased intra-abdominal pressure (e.g., weightlifting or chronic coughing).
Describe classification of haemorrhoids
1st degree: no prolapse
2nd degree: prolapse when straining and return on relaxing
3rd degree: prolapse when straining, do not return on relaxing, but can be pushed back
4th degree: prolapsed permanently
Sx of haemorrhoids
- Constipation and straining.
- Painless, bright red bleeding, typically on the toilet tissue or seen after opening the bowels - NO BLOOD mixed with stool
- Sore / itchy anus
- Feeling a lump around or inside the anus
Ddx of rectal bleeding
Anal fissures
Diverticulosis
IBD
Colorectal cancer
Tx of haemorrhoids
Topical tx - i.e. anusol
Prevention + tx of constipation
What is an anal fissure?
Small tear in the anal mucosa caused defaecation or tight anal sphincter
Sx of anal fissure
- Rectal bleeding - bright red
- Perianal pain - feels like razor blade coming out
- Pruritis
- They DONT have faecal incontinence
Tx of anal fissure
Dietary changes - inc fibre
Laxatives - SOFTEN stools!!
Topical steroids
Difference between haemorrhoids and anal fissures
Haemorrhoid = painless
Anal fissure = painful
Define the following:
1. Diverticulum
2. Diverticulosis
3. Diverticular disease
4. Diverticulitis
- a pouch or pocket in the bowel wall, usually ranging in size from 0.5 – 1cm.
- presence of diverticulum, without inflammation or infection.
- when patients experience symptoms.
- inflammation and infection of diverticula.