Gastrointestinal Conditions Flashcards
Summary of what acute gastroenteritis is
an infectious condition which presents with pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Can be caused by bacteria or viruses and results in inflammation of the GI tract
Causes of gastroenteritis (3)
food containing pathogens
medication
contamination
Where and with who is gastroenteritis more common?
areas in poor sanitation
winter months
elderly and children
Symptoms of gastroenteritis
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, loss of appetite, fever, chills and aching limbs
complications of gastroenteritis
dehydration
haemodynamic instability
Symptoms of appendicitis
right iliac pain but in the early stages pain may be in the umbilical region
nausea, vomiting, low grade pyrexia, rebound tenderness
What is cholecystitis
an obstruction of the cystic duct leading from the gall bladder to the duodenum - usually by gallstones
gall bladder becomes inflammed and red and bile cannot empty
What often causes gall stones to form?
abnormal metabolism
high cholesterol and bilirubin
gall bladder doesnt empty properly
= chemical imbalance
Risk factors for cholecystitis (5)
age, diet, obesity, high cholesterol, imbalance of oestrogen
Describe the route to developing cholecystitis
liver secretes bile which has a chemical imbalance = inflammation = bile less soluble = cholesterol, calcium and bilirubin develop into gallstones = poor/absent blood flow to the gall bladder = cholecystitis
Symptoms of cholecystitis (9)
RUQ pain, pain may radiate to chest and shoulders, increased gas, vomiting, fever, sweating, loss of appetite, jaundice and a bulge in the abdomen
Which two conditions come under inflammatory bowel disease
ulcerative colitis and Chron’s
Where does ulceration start in ulcerative colitis
starts in the rectum and travels up the colon
what does ulceration in the colon cause
bleeding and pus production
Risk factors for ulcerative colitis (4)
ages 15-30
Middle aged
Genes
Stress
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis (11)
rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, urgency to go to the toilet, weight loss, fever, fatigue, dehydration, joint pain, canker sores, irritated and red eyes and erythema nodosum
stages of ulcerative colitis
proctitis - proctosigmoiditis - left sided - extensive colitis - pancolitis - toxic colitis
What can toxic colitis result in
trapped gas, enlarged colon
colon can split causes septicaemia
loss of blood flow can lead to shock
Treatment for ulcerative colitis
relieve symptoms and prevent them from returning
medication: amino salicylates, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants
surgery to remove all or part of the colon, stoma can be created (ileostomy)
Where does Chron’s affect?
autoimmune condition that affects any part of the GI tract and can be in patches
inflammation is an effect of Chron’s disease, what can this inflammation lead to?
oedema, ulceration, fissures and abscesses
Risk factors for Chron’s disease
genes
younger adults
middle aged adults
Symptoms of Chron’s disease (7)
rectal bleeding, spasm of the oesophagus, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and tiredness
Complications of Chron’s disease
malnutrition, anaemia, vitamin D deficiency and impaired growth
Treatment for Chron’s
medicines to reduce inflammation - steroid tablets
medicines to stop inflammation occuring again
surgery to remove a small part of the digestive system
IBS overview
common long term condition of the digestive system
symptoms are similar to those in IBD
linked to food passing too quickly or too slowly through the digestive tract
can be managed with lifestyle changes
Where will pancreatitis pain be?
LUQ or epigastric region
Common causes of pancreatitis
alcohol abuse, gallstones, trauma, elevated calcium levels and certain medications
Symptoms of pancreatitis (10)
pain that can radiate to the back, nausea, vomiting, fever, tachycardia, hypotension, jaundice, weight loss, Grey Turner’s sign and Cullen’s sign
What are Grey Turner’s and Cullen’s signs?
GT = bruising to the flanks
C = bruising around the umbilicus
complications of pancreatitis
internal bleeding and diabetes
Symptoms of bowel obstruction
feeling full, constipation, abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, lack of appetite, tachycardia, dark coloured urine and distension
Bowel sounds in a bowel obstruction
early = high pitched tinkling sounds
late = reduced/absent
