Gastrointestinal diseases

Question 1

What are common manifestations of gastrointestinal disease?

Answer 1

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), dyspepsia (indigestion), vomiting, bleeding (haematemesis), diarrhoea, malabsorption, constipation, and abdominal pain​

Question 2

What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) and its long-term complications?

Answer 2

GORD is the chronic form of gastric reflux where stomach contents reflux into the oesophagus due to relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), causing heartburn. Long-term complications include oesophagitis, ulceration, and an increased risk of oesophageal or lung cancer

Question 3

What are the common treatments for gastric and duodenal ulcers?

Answer 3

Treatments include histamine antagonists (e.g., cimetidine), proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole), antacids, and bismuth chelate. For Helicobacter pylori-associated ulcers, a combination of omeprazole or lansoprazole with antibiotics (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, or metronidazole) is used​

Question 4

What are the key differences between Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis?

Answer 4

Crohn’s disease: Affects any part of the GI tract, involves all layers of the bowel wall, and presents with patchy inflammation (skip lesions), deep ulcers, and complications like fistulae and abscesses.
Ulcerative colitis: Affects only the colon and rectum, with inflammation limited to the mucosa. It often presents with bloody diarrhoea and mucus in stool​

Question 5

What are complications of Crohn’s disease?

Answer 5

Complications include toxic megacolon, perforation leading to peritonitis, fistulae between bowel loops, and an increased risk of cancer. Systemic complications include arthritis and conjunctivitis​
.

Question 6

What treatments are commonly used for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Answer 6

• For Crohn’s disease: Surgery in 80% of cases, glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisolone), immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine), methotrexate, and infliximab (anti-TNF drug).
• For Ulcerative Colitis: Aminosalicylates (e.g., sulphasalazine), cyclosporin, and occasionally surgery​

Question 7

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and how is it diagnosed?

Answer 7

IBS involves a wide range of symptoms such as rapid transit/contraction, sensitivity to diet, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea/constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and mucus in stool. Diagnosis is based on normal test results​

Question 8

What is coeliac disease, and what triggers it?

Answer 8

Coeliac disease is an inflammatory condition triggered by gluten (found in wheat, rye, barley), leading to reduced absorption of nutrients due to damage to intestinal villi. It is an inherited condition affecting about 1 in 200 people​

Question 9

What is appendicitis, and how is it treated?

Answer 9

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix due to infection or obstruction. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain in the lower right quadrant, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment is usually appendectomy to prevent rupture​

Question 10

What is gastroenteritis, and what are its common causes and symptoms?

Answer 10

Gastroenteritis is short-term inflammation of the stomach or small intestine, often caused by infection (viruses, bacteria, protozoa), chemicals, or drugs. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and acute abdominal pain​