GI Diseases Flashcards
Obstruction of the oesophagus
Obstruction leads to dysphagia (problems swallowing)
Causes = cancer, benign stricture, stroke, neurological issues
Oesophagitis
Inflammation of the oesophagal mucosa
GORD
Gastro-oestophageal reflex
Dysfunction of the lower oesophageal sphincter
Causes = decrease in sphincter tone, CNS depressants, pregnancy
Treatment = removal of acid (proton-pump inhibitors), sleeping upright, smaller meals, surgery
Complications = oesophageal carcinoma, bleeding & stricture, cell changes
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach
Causes = NSAIDs, alcohol, infection, stress, chemotherapy, anaemia
Treatment = Al/Mg hydroxide (Gaviscon), H2 receptor antagonists, proton-pump inhibitors, antibiotics
Complications = bleeding, perforation of the stomach, severe pain
Malabsorption syndromes
There are many malabsorption syndromes that occur in humans
Symptoms - chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, steatorrhea, anorexia, abdominal distension, muscle wasting
Disaccharide deficiencies
The most common is lactase, leading to lactose intolerance
When lactose is consumed it is not broken down and alters the osmolarity of the gut
Symptoms = diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating, pain
Fat malabsorption
Causes = bile insufficiency, pancreatic lipase deficiency, mucosal defects
Symptoms = greasy stools
Diagnosis = faecal fat tests
Coeliac disease
Occurs primarily in caucasians and can appear at any age
Cause=intolerance to gluten
Leads to a T-cell mediated inflammatory reaction that damages the villi of the small intestine
Symptoms = dermatitis herpetiformis, atrophy of villi
Diagnosis = SI biposy
Treatment = gluten free diet
Intestinal obstruction
Causes = hernia, surgical adhesions, intussesception, volvulus
Symptoms = abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, trapped gas
Treatment = immediate resection of the intestinal segment
Bacterial overgrowth
Overgrowth of bacteria can lead to production of proteases which damage the brush boarder
Treatment = antibiotics
Crohn’s disease
Skip lesions of the bowel due to inflammatory processes, leading to mucosal damage, granulomas and fistulae
Symptoms = intermittent diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain
Complications = strictures, fistulas, loss of protein, malabsorption, risk of colon cancer
Ulcerative colitis
Extensive ulceration of the mucosa of the colon, characterised by pseudopolyps
Symptoms = bloody diarrhoea, pain
Treatment = steroids, colectomy
Diverticulitis
Formation of pouches in the GI tract
Usually due to a low fibre diet
IBS
Chronic recurring abdominal pain or discomfort associated with altered bowel habit in the absence of any organic cause
