Gastrointestinal Flashcards
Common symptoms of aphthous ulcers
- painful lumps in mouth
- discomfort when eating and drinking
Common symptoms of gastroenteritis
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- abdominal pain
Common symptoms of gastroparesis
- nausea and vomiting
- feeling full very quickly
- abdominal pain and bloating
- loss of appetite
Common symptoms of appendicitis
- abdominal pain
- nausea and vomiting
- mild fever
- anorexia
Common clinical features of coeliac disease
- diarrhoea
- failure to thrive
- prolonged fatigue
- abdominal pain and distension
- weight loss
- iron deficiency anaemia
Common clinical features of colorectal cancer
- weight loss
- changes in bowel habits
- rectal bleeding
- abdominal/anal mass
- new onset iron deficiency anaemia
- lethargy
- anorexia
Causes of steatorrhoea
- pancreatitis
- pancreatic cancer
- biliary obstruction
- coeliac disease
- medications, eg Orlistat
Risk factors for gastrointestinal disease
- pre-existing gastrointestinal disease eg GORD
- family history of gastrointestinal disease
- alcohol, smoking and illicit drugs
- diet
Symptoms associated with ascites
- abdominal distension
- SOB, due to diaphragmatic splinting
Symptoms of cholecystitis
- RUQ pain
- jaundice
- fever
- nausea and vomiting
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
Common features of constipation
- infrequent stools (<3 times/week)
- straining/discomfort on passing stool
- abdominal discomfort/pain
- overflow diarrhoea
Common features of clostridium difficile colitis
- abdominal pain
- diarrhoea (watery)
- fever
- nausea and vomiting
Symptoms of gastric ulcer
- epigastric pain, worsened by eating
- nausea
- poor appetite
- burping and regurgitation
- bloating
Common features of Crohn’s disease
- weight loss
- lethargy
- diarrhoea (may be bloody)
- abdominal pain
- perianal disease (skin tags, ulcers)
- extra-intestinal features (arthritis, episcleritis, erythema nodosum, osteoporosis)
Gastrointestinal causes of dysphagia
- GORD
- oesophageal stricture
- oesophageal cancer
- oesophageal achalasia
Symptoms of oesophageal cancer
- dysphagia
- weight loss
- nausea and vomiting
- hoarseness
- chronic cough
- lethargy
- melaena
Symptoms of oesophageal spasm
- chest pain
- vomiting and regurgitation
- dysphagia
- sensation of food being stuck in throat
Symptoms of cholestasis
- generalised pruritus
- jaundice
- dark urine, pale stools
Causes of RUQ
- biliary causes:
- gallstones
- acute cholecystitis
- hepatic causes:
- hepatitis
Causes of supra-pubic pain
- UTIs
- gynaecological causes (PID, ectopic pregnancy)
- constipation
- IBS
Gastrointestinal causes of pruritus
- hepatitis
- liver cirrhosis
- pancreatic cancer
- cholangitis
- cholestasis
Gastrointestinal causes of confusion
- constipation
- hepatic encephalopathy
Conditions to ask about for family history of GI disease
- gastrointestinal malignancy
- inflammatory bowel disease
- coeliac disease
- hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
- familial adenomatous polyposis
- haemochromatosis
