Inflammatory Diseases Flashcards
What is diverticular disease?
- bowel protrusions called diverticula (sing: diverticulum)
- pressure pushes against wall, if wall is weakened it bulges out
- multiple sites, but mostly in sigmoid colon
Etiology of diverticular disease:
- aging (80% >85yr; 40% >45yr)
- poor diet (low fibre diet) causing constipation which increases intraluminal pressure
- inactivity/poor lifetsyle
- poor bowel habits (constipation causes increased intraluminal pressure)
Pathophysiology of diverticular disease?
- normal weak points for vessel entry (vessel entry points in GIT = weak points on bowel wall)k
- increased intraluminal pressure –> mucosa herniates through muscularis externa –> diverticula form
- diverticulosis
- diverticulitis
Diverticulitis
- inflamed, perforated diverticula caused by
=compression at point of entry
=strangulation
=increased pressure in pouch
=risk of perforation/rupture of diverticula leads to release of intestinal bacteria and wastes in the the body
=risk for further complication
Diverticulosis
- noninflamed
- asymptomatic
- low risk of obstruction within bowel
Two factors needed for diverticula to form?
1) increased intraluminal pressure
2) weakened bowel walls
Manifestations of diverticular disease?
dull pain, nausea & vomiting, low-grade fever
Dx & Tx of diverticular disease?
Dx: CT (identifies number and location of)
Tx: address etiology/risks (improve diet/lifestyle), surgery (for obstruction of perforation)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
- common motility/sensory distorder
- individuals with IBS detect peristalsis and experience pain
- no obvious pathology (no abnormal structure or biochemistry)
Etiology of IBS
- unclear
- proposed links: lactose intolerant, diet, stress, smoking
Patho of IBS
- malabsorption of polyps and fermentable CHO (e.g. ethanol, sorbitol)
= when digested by bacteria in lg int, gas is produced as a byproduct –> pain & flatulence (gut flora process cause flatulence) - altered regulation of GI motor and sensory function (CNS regulation)
- molecular signalling defective for serotonin (NT that activates neurons in the bowel)
= site of synthesis: gut mucosa is primary sight of synth
= function and IBS manifestations: function of serotonin affected by molecular signaling, resulting in manifestations of IBS: 1) alternating diarrhea and constipation (cx: gut motility/peristalsis) 2) secretion in gut = excess mucous in gut = mucoid stools 3) involved in perfusion of bowels –> decrease function 4) sensation in gut (peristalsis) causes pain 5) abdominal discomfort and pain 6) flatulence
Dx of IBS
- exclude organic pathology thru various labs (analyze stool for parasites or ova of parasites) and scopes (colonscopy, sigmoidoscopy, gastroscopy)
Manifestations of IBS
- varied severity
- alternating diarrhea and constipation
- abdominal discomfort and pain
- flatulence, nausea
- mucoid stools
Tx of IBS
- avoid offending foods
- decrease stress
- drugs prn
=antispasmodics (inhibit bowel spasms to relieve discomfort and pain)
=antidiarrheals
=laxatives
both help with alternating bowel pattern
=antibiotics (CAUTION!!! do not eliminate normal gut flora, just control overgrowth): manage the production of flatulence
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the Peritoneum
Etiology of peritonitis
1) Bacteria (mostly E. coli; even n. flora)
- exit normal niche –> infection –> inflammation
2) Chemical irritation
- HCl, bile, enzymes leak out of gut
3) Agent enters abdominal cavity
- perforating ulcer
- ruptured ulcer
- chemically burns a hole through the stomach or duodenum
4) PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
- bacteria migrate up the reproductive tract up to the fallopian tubes, exit through the infundibulum into the body cavity
5) Others (less frequentely)
- trauma
- foreign objects move into the peritoneum
PID
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease:
- bacteria migrate up the reproductive tract up to the fallopian tubes, exit through the infundibulum into the body cavity
Pathophysiology of peritonitis
- Initially, an agent impacts the peritoneum –> inflm
- peritoneum = large structure = 2 disadvantages
1) highly vascularized: bacteria can enter the bloodstream and spread easily
2) rapid absorption: toxins produced by bacteria are rapidly absorbed; potential for systemic distribution - with inflm, production of purulent exudate
- localizes inflammation:
- contains fluid, defense cells, bacteria, proteins
giving it a thick consistency –> slows down
spread throughout body cavity; therefore,
limits spread of agent/bacteria; therefore,
localizes inflammation.
- seals perforation
- decreases/prevents content leaking out of
hole in gut
- NOT COMPENSATORY - SNS limits GI motility (compensatory)
- prevents gut content being pushed towards
perforation via ileus (cessation of peristalsis)
Manifestations of peritonitis
- Severity
- fluid shift into bowel and abdominal cavity
- with inflm there is vasodilation and hyperemia, so
capillary hydrostatic pressure increases in the
abundant vessels of the peritoneum. Fluid shifts
out of vasculature into the abdominal cavity. - blood shunted to site of inflm
- perfusion altered -> blood shunted to site of inflm - pain (symptom of inflm), vomiting (d/t severe pain
activating the vomit reflex centre) - dyspnea
- breathing irritates inflamed peritoneum when
diaphragm pushes on it, pt minimizes depth of
respiration
Tx of peritonitis
- IV Antibiotics
- Nasogastric suction: prevent content of stomach to move towards perforation.
- Fluids and Electrolytes: potential for hypervolemia and electrolyte imbalance.
- Anti-inflammatories
- Pain medications
- Surgery: if indicated
Appendicitis
Acute inflammation of the appendix
Peaks at 20-30 yrs
Appendix & Theories for its function
k
Etiology of appendicitis
Idiopathic
Two theories:
1) fecalith obstructing the cecum
2) twisted appendix or bowel (obstructs entrance and exit of secretions & blood flow.