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.
Abdominal Pain - Ischemic Pain
Metabolites released in area of diminished blood flow.
Constipation.
Abdominal Pain - Referred Pain
Usually well localized, may be associated with hyperalgesia and muscle guarding. We don’t feel our organs, nerves make us feel pain in space that was shared with the organ in embryo.
GI-Bleeding - Characteristics
- Coffee-ground emesis (blood+gastric acid in stool)
- Hematemesis (bright red blood) lower GI-tract.
- Melena (black, tarry stool) Upper GI-tract.
- Hematochezia (rectum bleeding) Tear in rectum.
GI Signs and Symptoms - Summary
Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Anorexia Constipation Dysphagia Achalasia Abdominal Pain GI Bleeding Fecal incontinence
