GIT Disorders Flashcards
Name the major categories of GIT disorders
Functional disorders = looks normal but doesn’t work properly
Structural disorders = looks abnormal and doesn’t work properly
Name stool changes occurring because of GIT disorders
Blood in stool
Very narrow stool
Changes in bowel habits
Name symptoms of GIT disorders
Unusual or severe abdominal pain
Unexplained weight loss
Heartburn not relieved by antacids
Fatigue
Primary causes for functional disorders (lifestyle)
Eating less fibre
Not exercising enough
Changes in routine = travelling
Too much diary
Stress
Primary causes for functional disorders (medical)
Resisting urge to have a bowel movement
Overusing laxatives
Certain medicines = anti-depressants, iron pills
Pregnancy
Ageing
What type of disorders if gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and why?
Functional disorder
Organ looks the same but lower oesophageal sphincter weakens causing heartburn
What are the consequences of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?
Reflux of gastric acid irritates oesophagus = damaging lining & causing inflammation
What can bring on heartburn?
Pregnancy, alcohol, certain foods & medications
What type of disorder are peptic ulcers and where are they found?
Functional disorders
Gastric and duodenal ulcers
What causes of gastric ulcers?
Helicobacter pylori infection
Alcohol
Drugs = NSAIDs
What causes duodenal ulcers?
Stress
Over production of gastric acid
How do helicobacter pylori infections cause ulcers?
Disrupting the gastric mucosal barrier
Inducing inflammation and immune responses,
Increasing gastric acid production
Causing direct mucosal damage
Impairing the healing processes of the gastric mucosa
How do NSAIDs cause ulcers?
Inhibition COX enzymes, which synthesize prostaglandins
Prostaglandins maintain integrity of gastric mucosal barrier and regulate gastric acid secretion
How does alcohol cause ulcers?
Increase permeability of gastric mucosa, allowing harmful substances to penetrate more easily into the underlying tissues
How does stress cause ulcers?
Activates SNS so stress hormones are released = causing secretion of gastric acid
Altered gut motility and increased permeability may disrupt the balance of microorganisms in the gut (microbiota), contributing to inflammation and mucosal injury in the stomach and intestines.
What type of disorder is irritable bowel syndrome?
Functional disorder = spastic, irritable colon or nervous stomach
What causes IBS?
Certain foods, medicines & emotional stress
What to avoid with IBS?
Caffeine & alcohol
Minimize stress
What to take for IBS?
Increase fibre
Medication
What type of disorder is constipation?
Functional disorder
Usual causes of constipation?
Inadequate fibre
Disruption of regular routine
Treatments for constipation?
Increase dietary fibre
Exercise regularly
Laxatives
What type of disorder is haemorrhoids and why?
Structural disorder because swollen blood vessels line the anal opening
What are the causes of haemorrhoids?
Chronic excess pressure from straining during bowel movements
Persistent diarrhea
Pregnancy
Treatments of hemorrhoids?
Improving bowel habits
Surgery
What type of disorder is diverticulosis and why?
Structural disorder because it causes a small out-pouching in muscular wall of large intestine
Causes of diverticulosis?
High pressure over wekened area
Consequences of diverticulosis?
Infection, bleeding & obstruction
Treatments of diverticulosis?
Antibiotics
Increased fluids
What can develop into colorectal cancer?
Polyps
What are polyps?
Colonic polyps are abnormal growths that develop in the lining of the colon or rectum.
They are quite common, especially in older adults. Most colonic polyps are benign, but some may develop into colorectal cancer over time if left untreated.
Are there symptoms in early colorectal cancer?
No
What type of disorder is liver disease?
Structural disorder
What are the stages of liver damage?
Fatty liver = deposits of fat cause liver enlargement
Liver fibrosis = scar tissue forms
Cirrhosis = growth of connective tissue destroys liver cells
What is fatty liver?
Fatty liver = deposits of fat cause liver enlargement
What is liver fibrosis?
Liver fibrosis = scar tissue forms
What is cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis = growth of connective tissue destroys liver cells
What is hepatitis, and how is it caused?
Inflammation of the liver
Acute hepatitis = caused by virus could recover on its own
Chronic hepatitis = caused by virus, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases…
