Gastrointestinal Flashcards
heartburn
burning sensation in the stomach or lower chest that extends upwards toward the neck and back
dietary causes of heartburn
acidic, spicy foods
citrus products
mint, alcohol, coffee, carbonated beverages
large or fatty, greasy meals
chocolate
lifestyle causes of heartburn
overweight
pregnant
smoking
stress
medication use
common symptoms of heartburn
burning pain in the chest
pain that worsens when lying down
belching
feeling bloated
dyspepsia
nausea
serious symptoms of heartburn
difficulty swallowing
painful swallowing
unexplained weight loss
GI bleeding
heartburn OTC
antacids
bismuth products
histamine-2 receptor antagonists
proton pump inhibitors
antacids
neutralize stomach acid
use as needed
antacids names
gaviscon
maalox
milk of magnesia
alka-seltzer
tums
rolaids
antacids side effects
calcium: constipation, belching, bloating
aluminum: constipation
magnesium: loose stool
bismuth products
coats the stomach and esophagus in a protective barrier against stomach acid
- use every 30-60 mins as needed for up to 2 days
bismuth products names
dismatrol
diotame
kaopectate
kao-tin
pepto bismol
bismuth product side effects
dark tongue
dark stools
constipation
ringing in the ears
histamine 2 receptor antagonists
decreases gastric acid production
- use 10-60 minutes before eating or drinking
histamine-2 receptor antagonists names
tagamet HB
pepcid AC
zantac 360
histamine-2 receptor antagonists side effects
constipation, dizziness and headache
proton pump inhibitors
prevents gastric acid from being produced
- use 30-60 minutes before breakfast
proton pump inhibitors names
nexium
prevacid
prilosec
proton pump inhibitors side effects
diarrhea
abdominal pain
headache
nausea
long term use can increase in bone fractures, vitamin B12 deficiency and bacterial infection risk
non medication treatment for heartburn
maintain healthy diet
elevate head of bed
reduce drinking alcohol
quit smoking
avoid tight clothes, trigger foods, late night meals, lying down after a meal
seeking medical attention for heartburn
having severe symptoms
symptoms last more than 3 months
symptoms continue after 2 week use of OTC
symptoms prevent sleep
age restrictions for OTC for heartburn
Antacids: Children < 2 years old
H2Ras: Children < 12 years old
PPIs: Children < 18 years old
Adults > 45 years old with new onset
gas
affected by air generated in the intestine or stomach
bloated
condition where belly feels full, swell, tight and distention in the abdomen
common causes of gas
swallowing air when eating or drinking
gas produced by bacteria in the digestive tract
other causes of gas
triggering foods or drinks
poor eating habits
medication use
symptoms of gas
burping
cramping
flatulence
nausea
abdominal discomfort
dyspepsia/indigestion
gas OTC
digestive enzymes and antiflatulence
digestive enzymes
uses enzymes to break down “gassy foods”
use before or with first bite of food
few side effects
common digestive enzymes
lactaid and beano
antiflatulence
decreases surface tension of gas bubbles
use up to 4 times daily
few side effects
common antiflatulence
gas-x (simethicone)
mylicon (simethicone)
non-medication treatments for gas
eat slowly and chew well
decrease chewing gum and deep sighs
avoid belching, trigger foods, tight clothes, and quit smoking
seeking medical attention for gas
symptoms persist for more than several days
sudden changes in symptoms
diarrhea or constipation
unexpected symptoms like bleeding, fatigue or unintended weight loss
disruption of bowel function
common causes of nausea
food allergies
medications
migraines
morning sickness
motion sickness
indigestion of viral or bacterial toxins from food
severe pain
severe causes of nausea
appendicitis
intestinal blockage
cancer or tumor
poisoning, overdose, or unintended drug intake
GI ulcers
symptoms of nausea
retching: dry heaving
dehydration: can lead to kidney damage and cognitive impairement
signs for adults and children for nausea
dry skin
thirst
headache
dark colored pee
signs for infants for nausea
no wet diapers
no tears
fever
Oral Rehydration Solutions
contain approriate ratio of water, salts and suger
take sips every 15 mins, then increase as tolerated
common oral rehyrdration solutions
pedialyte
homemade solutions
avoid gatorade and powerade (high in sugar)
motion sickness treatment
reduces brain signals that trigger nausea and vomiting
use 30-60 mins before travel or triggering activity
side effects of motion sickness treatment
dizziness
drowsiness
dry mouth
constipation
blurred vision
common motion sickness treatment products
dramamine (dimenhydrinate)
bonnie (meclizine)
benadryl (diphenhydramine)
unisom (doxylamine)
seeking medical attention for nausea/vomiting
pregnant
lasts over 24 hours
fever
have cancer or diabetes
blood in vomit
stiff neck
head injury
suspected to be due to medications
constipation
less than three bowel movements per week or difficulty passing stool
causes of constipation
not drinking enough water
not eating enough fiber
consuming too much sugar/unhealthy fats
certain medications
toilet training in children
depression
lack of physical activity
types of OTC for constipation
oral bulk-forming laxatives
Oral Osmotic Laxatives
stimulant laxatives
stool softeners
lubricant laxatives
oral bulk-forming laxatives
absorbs water in the intestine which adds bulk to the stool to easily pass
take with 8oz of water
common oral bulk-forming laxatives
fibercon
metamucil
citrucel
benefiber
side effects of oral bulk-forming laxatives
flatulence
cramping
Oral Osmotic Laxatives
brings water into colon to stimulate bowel movement
mix with uncarbonated drink
side effects of Oral Osmotic Laxatives
bloating, cramping, flatulence
common Oral Osmotic Laxatives
phillips
miralax
fleet
magnesium citrate
stimulant laxatives
stimulates neurons in the colon to increase the movement of the stool
- take at bedtime to have a bowel movement in the morning
stimulant laxatives side effects
cramping
electrolyte imbalance
common stimulant laxatives
ducolax
senokot
stool softeners
allows stool to mix more easily with water and fat to soften the stool to pass easily
- take once or twice daily
side effects of stool softeners
sweating
muscle cramps
common stool softeners
colace
lubricant laxatives
coats and softens stool contents to make it easier to push
- given rectally for quicker onset, oral use not recommended
side effects of lubricant laxatives
cramping
nausea
diarrhea
common lubricant laxatives
mineral oil
seeking medical attention for constipation
severe abdominal pain
fever
previous bowel issues
blood in stool
unexplained weight loss
lasts longer than 2 weeks
lasts longer than 7 days after OTC use
nausea or vomiting
diarrhea
increased bowel movements that result in watery and loose stools occuring 3 or more times a day
causes of diarrhea
Infection: Traveler’s Diarrhea, food poisoning, E. coli, C.diff, salmonella, and stomach flu
Food- Related causes: contamination, allergies, or intolerances
Intolerance: lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance
Medications
Medical Conditions: Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
OTC for diarrhea
loperamide
bismuth products
probiotics
loperamide
slows down intestinal movement
take 2 tablets once, than 1 tablet for every loose stool
- max 4 tablets every 24 hours
side effects of loperamide
constipation
dizziness
cramping
common name of loperamide
imodium
bismuth products
reduces fluid secretion in the intestines for firmer and less frequent stools
- take every 30-60 minutes as needed for up to 2 days
side effects of bismuth products
dark tongue
dark stool
constipation
common bismuth products
pepto bismol
probiotics
replenishes gut normal flora bacteria for healthy digestion
used when taking antibiotics to replace healthy bacteria
side effects of probiotics
flatulence
bloating
diarrhea
common probiotics
floranex
culturelle
floraien
seeking medical attention for diarrhea
pregnant
children
severe abdominal pain
blood or pus in stool
fever higher than 101
severe dehyrdation
