Gastrointestinal Disorders Flashcards
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Backflow of gastric contents into esophagus through
the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
– Inflammation caused by reflux of highly acidic
material
– GERD may or may not cause symptoms
– The extent and severity of damage to the esophagus
from GERD reflect:
• the frequency and duration of exposure to the refluxed
material
• the volume and acidity of the gastric juices being refluxed
Stomatitis
Inflammation of oral mucosa
Causes • Pathogenic organisms • Trauma • Chemical irritants • Chemotherapy, radiation • Nutritional deficiencies
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Causes
Any condition or agent that alters closure strength of LES or increases abdominal pressure – Fatty foods – Caffeine – Large amounts of alcohol – Cigarette smoking – Sleep position – Pharmacologic agents – Anatomic features (ex: hiatal hernia)
Hiatal Hernia
Defect in diaphragm when a portion of the stomach
passes through the diaphragmatic opening into the
thorax
- Risk increases with age
- Women more than men
• Signs and symptoms
– Similar to GERD
– Heartburn
– Chest pain
– Dysphagia
Hiatal Hernia
Types
Sliding hernia (most common) – Portion of stomach and gastroesophageal junction slip up into thorax above diaphragm
• Paraesophageal hernia (rolling)
– Part of greater curvature of stomach rolls through the
diaphragmatic defect
• Mixed
Acute Gastritis
Precipitated by ingestion of irritating substances
– Example: alcohol and aspirin
• Signs and symptoms – Anorexia – Nausea – Vomiting – Postprandial discomfort
Chronic Gastritis
Helicobacter pylori is nearly always a factor
• Complications – Peptic ulcer disease – Atrophic gastritis – Gastric adenocarcinoma – Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma
Gastroenteritis
- Inflammation of stomach and small intestine
- Usually a result of another GI disorder
• Acute is caused by direct infection of tract by
pathogenic virus or bacterial toxin
• May be caused by imbalance in normal bacterial
flora by introduction of unusual bacteria (travel)
Gastroenteritis
Signs Symptoms & Treatment
Signs and symptoms • Diarrhea • Abdominal discomfort and pain • Nausea • Vomiting • Fever • Malaise
Treatment
• Fluid and electrolytes replacement
Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract caused by
the action of acid and pepsin
• Include injury to the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach,
or duodenum
• Causes – H. pylori – Stress – Smoking – Alcohol – Spicy foods – Smoking – Genetic
Peptic Ulcer Disease Treatment
Treatment • H. pylori: antibiotics • H2 antagonists • Proton pump inhibitors • Sucralfate (forms protective coating over injured mucosa) • Smoking cessation • Avoidance of aspirin and NSAIDs, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and irritating foods
Ulcerative Colitis
• Ulcers form in mucosal layer of colon and
rectum
• Associated with increased cancer risk after 8-10
years of disease
• Hallmark symptoms are bloody diarrhea and
lower abdominal pain
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Treatment
• Corticosteroids
• Salicylate analogs
• Immunomodulating agents
Crohn Disease
• Inflammation of the GI tract that extends to all layers of
the intestinal wall resulting from blockage and
inflammation of lymphatic vessels
• Most commonly affects proximal portion of the colon or
terminal ileum
• Unknown cause
• Abdominal pain is constant and usually in the right lower
quadrant (RLQ) of abdomen
• May have RLQ mass - ileocecal involvement
• Stool may be bloody but not to the extent of ulcerative
colitis
Crohn Disease Treatment
Treatment
• Smoking cessation
• Drugs similar to ulcerative colitis
