H Pylori and Gastric Disease Flashcards
Definition of dyspepsia
Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen
Symptoms of dyspepsia
Upper abdominal discomfort Heartburn Retrosternal pain Anorexia - lack of appetite Nausea Vomiting Cough Bloating Fullness Early satiety Poor dentition
What % of people get dyspepsia?
80%
Two types of causes of dyspepsia
Organic
Functional
Definition of organic
There is a specific pathology driving the symptoms
Definition of functional
Structurally things are okay but its functioning / the perception isn’t functioning as good
Causes of dyspepsia
Peptic ulcer Gastritis Non ulcer dyspepsia (functional) Gastric cancer Hepatic causes Gallstones Pancreatic disease IBS Colonic cancer Coeliac disease Other systemic diseases e.g. metabolic, cardiac Drugs Psychological
When to refer for an endoscopy if have dyspepsia and how is this remembered?
ALARMS
- anorexia
- loss of weight
- anaemia
- recent onset / > 55 years / persistent despite treatment
- melena/haematemesis
- swallowing problems - dysphagia
Definition of melena
Black sticky stool (blood)
Definition of haematemesis
The vomiting of blood
What do melena and haematemesis both indicate?
Upper GI blood loss
Complications of upper GI endoscopy and how often do these occur?
Perforation
Bleeding
Reaction to drug
1:2000
Where does upper GI endoscopy visualise?
Oesophagus down to the second part of duodenum
Investigations for a patient presenting with dyspepsia
Exam - mass FBC, ferritin - anaemia LFTs U and Es Calcium (high Ca can drive dyspepsia) Glucose Coeliac serology / serum IgA Endoscopy Oesophageal pH studies Mammometry
What drugs can be related to dyspepsia?
NSAIDs Steriods Biphosphonates Ca antagonists Nitrates Theophyllines OTT
What is gastritis?
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa
What therapy is done is H pylori +ve?
Eradication therapy
Symptomatic treatment
Two types of peptic ulcers
Gastric ulcer
Duodenal ulcer
What are the majority of peptic ulcers caused by?
H pylori
Causes of peptic ulcers
H pylori Smoking NSAIDs Zollinger-Ellison syndrome Hyperparathyroidism Crohn's disease
Which gender gets peptic ulcers more?
M > W
Which type of ulcer is more common?
DU > GU
Symptoms associated with a peptic ulcer
Epigastric pain (main feature) Nocturnal hunger/pain (more common in DU) Pain relieved by eating (DU) / worse by eating (GU) Back pain (penetration of posterior DU) Nausea Occasional vomiting Weight loss and anorexia Epigastric tenderness
If a peptic ulcer bleeds, what symptom may the patient present with?
Haematemsesis and or melena or anaemia
How do antacids work?
Reduce the acid and this stops the acid irritating the denuded area and allows the mucosal layer to heal in ulcers
Why would especially older patients need an endoscopy if have an ulcer?
Ulcers can have cancer cells