GI Crohn's & Colitis Flashcards
What is Crohns disease?
An inflammatory disease of the GI tract
What does Crohn’s disease cause?
Inflammation and ulceration in the digestive tract
Is Crohn’s disease in one area or in multiple segment?
Can be in one area or multiple segments
Where is crohns disease normally found?
Most usually found in the end of the ileum and the ascending column
What layers of the bwoel does crohns affect?
All the layers through to the serosa, causing a cobblestone appearance
What is the aetiology of crohns disease?
It’s idiopathic however is linked to faulty immune system and environmental factors. ?Genetic
How is crohns disease diagnosed?
GP would ask for a food diary
Blood test
Faecal test
Colonoscopy
Biopsy
MRI/CT
Gastroenterologist examinations
Who has crohns most commonly?
Presents most commonly in adolescence and early adulthood, but it may occur at any age. About 20-30% present before the age of 20 years old.
What are the signs and symptoms of crohns?
.Abdo pain - most common - low/mid R side
.Diarrhoea
.Dehydration
.Joint pain/arthritis
.Fatigue
.Weight loss
.Flare ups and remission
What are the common medications for crohns?
-Corticosteroids
-Immunosuppressive drugs
-Boiling therapy
-Amino salicylates
-Enteral nutritional supplementation
-Loperamide, mebeverine, colestyramine
-Psychological impact
Is there a cure for crohns?
No cure
What is ulcerative colitis?
An inflammatory bowel disease of the GI tract
Inflammation damages the bowel wall and ulcers from
These areas bleed and produce more mucus and pus
What are the four types of ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative proctitis
Proctosigmoiditis
Left sided colitis (distal)
Pancolitis (total colitis)
Where does ulcerative proctitis effect?
Limited to the rectum - the most mild type
Where does proctosigmoiditis effect?
Affects the rectum and the sigmoid colon
Where does pancolitis effect?
Total colitis
What are some differenced between crohns and ulcerative colitis?
Chrons:
Affects whole intestine
Usually begins in the ilium
Can affect all layers of bowel wall
Ulercative colitis:
Affects large intestine
Affects inner lining of colon
Starts in rectum
Affects the bowel wall in a “sheet”
What are some differences between the signs and symptoms of crohns and ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis will have:
Watery diarrhoea w blood/mucus/pus
Electrolyte imbalances
Low appetite
Bowel strictures
And are at risk of colon cancer
What does the Mnemonic ULCERS stand for and what is it used for?
Urgent bowel movement
Loss of weight & low RBC
Cramps in abdo
Electrolyte imbalance
Rectal bleeding
Severe diarrhoea w blood/mucus/pus
Used for signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis
What is the aetiology of ulcerative colitis?
Idiopathic
?Genetic
?NSAIDS make it worse
What is the diagnosis for ulcerative colitis?
Takes time
Food diary
Anaemia tests
Inflammatory markers test
Test for blood in stools
Colonoscopy
Barium enema
What are some treatment methods for ulcerative colitis?
Steroids
Amino salicylates
Immunosuppressants
Antibiotics
Surgery
What is the epidemiology of crohns and ulcerative colitis?
One in every 123 people in uk have one of them. Around over 500,000 people in UK have this condition. Ulcerative is more common at 0.4% prevalence compared to crohns 0.3% prevalence.
Generally, they are young onset diseases
