GI

Question 1

Inflammatory Bowel Disorders- define, classic and non-classic s/s

Answer 1

• more common in developed countries and diagnosed between ages 15 and 35
• immune response disorder

classic symptoms: weight loss, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea
non-classic symtpoms: poor growth, anemia, extraintestinal manifestations

Question 2

GI disorder

Key difference between ‘Ulcerative Colitis’ and ‘Crohns Disease’ (symptoms, location, colonoscopy results)

Answer 2

Symptoms:
UC: blood in stool with mucus, frequent diarrhea, loss of appetite, tenesmus
CD: nausea, weight loss, vomiting, occasional rectal bleeding, diarrhea

Location:
UC: Inflammation in the colon
CD: anywhere in GI tract

Colonoscopy result:
UC: colonoscopy shows inflammation starting at rectum and moves continuously up the colon and then stops
CD: colonoscopy shows patches of inflamed tissues and patches of healthy tissue. Granulomas may be present

Treatment
UC and CD: corticosteroid, cholectomy

Question 3

IBD vs IBS

Answer 3

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): IBD is a chronic condition that includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, characterised by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It can cause severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss, and may lead to complications like strictures or fistulas.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with no visible inflammation, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both). Unlike IBD, IBS does not cause permanent damage to the intestines and is often managed through diet and lifestyle changes.