Gastrointestinal System Pathology - Signs and Symptoms Flashcards
Upper GI Tract - Components and Function
mouth, esophagus, stomach and duodenum
Ingestion and digestion of food
Lower GI Tract - Components and Function
small and large intestines
Small intestine: digestion and absorption of nutrients
Large intestine: absorption of water/electrolytes, storing of waste products
Enteric Nervous System
Can function independently of the CNS.
Presence of a “brain in the bowel”. Connection between emotions - function - brain. Emotions - gastric nervous system
Can have its own psychoneuroses, creates a real disease in GI tract (IBS).
Nausea - Cause
Response of involuntary automatic nervous system
• Strong emotions
• Psychological disorder
• Drugs (morphine, alcohol, anesthetics)
• Systemic disorder: Acute myocardial infarction, Diabetic acidosis, Migraine, Hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders.
• GI disorder
Vomiting - Cause and Complications
Can be caused by anything that precipitates nausea Complications: • Fluids and electrolytes imbalances • Pulmonary aspiration of vomitus • Gastroesophageal mucosal tear • Malnutrition • Rupture of esophagus • Resp: little vomit goes in the respiratory system.
Diarrhea - Description
3 times a day or more of liquid or semisolid stools, for 2-3 consecutive day.
Might come along with: fever, nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, bloody stool.
Diarrhea - Cause and Complications
Cause: drugs, food intolerance/allergies, virus, bacteria, …
Complications: dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, acidosis (bicarbonate depletion), weight loss.
Anorexia - Description, Cause and Complication
Nothing to do with the psychological disorder. Systemic condition: Brain not aware of the fact that you need food.
Associated with: nausea, vomiting, sometimes diarrhea.
Can be cause by: cancer, heart disease, renal disease.
Complications: appetite loss, malnutrition, weight loss, muscular weakness.
Constipation - Groups and Cause
Fecal matter is either too hard or infrequent bowel movements. 2 groups:
• Slowed down transit (autonomous nervous system)
• Obstructed defecation (result of pelvic floor/anal dysfunction) (tumor, medical error)
Cause: more often life-style factors and psychological factors than physiological decline.
Constipation - Rome IV Criteria
- Straining during 25% of defecations
- Lumpy or hard stool in at least 25% of defecation
- Sensation of incomplete evacuation for at least 25% of defecation
- Sensation of anorectal blockage for at least 25% of defecation
- Manual maneuvers to facilitate at least 25% of defecation
- Less than 3 spontaneous defecation per week
Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing) - Cause
Sensation that food is stuck somewhere in throat or chest.
Can be caused by:
• Symptom of underlying condition: stroke, Parkinson
• Local trauma or damage
• Mechanical obstruction
• Certain types of drug
Achalasia - Definition and Complication
Failure to relax smooth muscle fibers of the GI tracts.
Feeling of fullness in the sternal region and progressive dysphagia.
Complications: progression of condition results in dilation of esophagus and loss of peristalsis in the lower 2/3.
PYROSIS (heartburn) and/or DYSPEPSIA (indigestion)
Burning sensation in the esophagus. Symptom of gastroesophageal reflux: occurs when acidic contents of the stomach regurgitate into the esophagus. Cause: • hiatal hernia • drugs (alcohol and aspirin) • Bending over after a large meal • Foods acting as myorelaxant • Emotional stress (facilitator)
Abdominal Pain - Mechanical Pain
Stretching of the wall of a hollow organ, or the capsule of a
solid organ. Achalasia.
Abdominal Pain - Inflammatory Pain
release of mediators that stimulates free nerve endings. Heart Burn.
