Intro to GI Flashcards
What are the 13 cardinal symptoms of GI Pathology
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swallowing Problems
- Hiccups (Singuitus)
- Chest Pain
- Heart Burn
- Dyspepsia
- Gas
- Abdominal Pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea/Malabsorption
- GI Bleeding
This mechanism of abdominal pain is not sensitive to cutting, tearing, or crushing – it is only sensitive to stretching and distention.
Mechanical
This mechanism of abdominal pain is due to the obstruction of blood flow from distention or mesenteric vessel thrombosis
Ischemic
This mechanism of abdominal pain is due to mediators of inflammation such as histamine, bradykinin, and serotonin
Chemical
This type of neuron is responsible for rapid conduction with abdominal pain.
Type A Fibers
This type of neuron is responsible for slow conduction with abdominal pain.
Type C Fibers
This type of abdominal pain is due to a stimulus acting on an organ or visceral peritoneum. Because most organs do not have any nerve fibers, the pain might be mild or poorly localized.
Visceral Pain
What type of neurons are involved in Visceral Abdominal Pain?
Type C Fibers
This type of abdominal pain is localized due to a higher density of neurons and more intense than visceral pain. This type of pain travels via peripheral nerves to the spinal cord at the dermatones. It also lateralizes.
Parietal or Somatic Pain
What type of neurons are involved in Parietal/Somatic Pain?
Type A and C fibers
This type of abdominal pain is a visceral pain that is felt in another area of the body and occurs when organs share a common nerve pathways. Usually poorly localized.
Referred Pain
This condition is defined as the absence of desire to eat. Often assc with nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. May involve a GI tract disorder, cancer, heart or renal dz.
Anorexia
This condition is described at the forceful emptying of the stomach and intestinal contents through the mouth.
Vomiting
What can trigger vomiting?
Intestinal Vagal or Sympathetic (afferent) stimuli
Such as:
1. CNS or Peripheral D/o (migraines, vestibular disorders, meningitis, etc.)
2. Severe pain
3. Distention of stomach or duodenum
What is the actual mechanism of vomiting?
Activation of the chemoreceptor trigger zone in the medulla (emetic center).
- 5-HT3 is released from the enterochromaffin cells and can stimulate this
- D2 receptors can also affect this
How do you treat vomiting?
- 5-HT3 antagonists like Zofran, Domperidone, Metoclopramide (Reglan)
- D2 antagonists like Phenergan (Promethazine) – these are also H1 antagonists
This condition is defined as difficult or infrequent defecation (<3 bowel movements per week). It affects up to 28% of the population.
Constipation
In the Bristol Meyers Stool Scale, Type 1 and 2 stool is usually associated with what condition?
Constipation
In the Bristol Meyers Stool Scale, Type 5, 6 and 7 stool is usually associated with what condition?
Diarrhea
In the Bristol Meyers Stool Scale, Type 3 and 4 stool is usually associated with what condition?
Ideal Stool
What can cause constipation?
- Low-residue diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Delayed, non-spontaneous defecation
- Drug induced (opiates, anticholinergics, antacids)
- Systemic dzs like hypothyroidism or diabetes
How would you evaluate suspected Constipation?
- Abdominal X-Ray 2 view
- CT of the Abdomen w/ contrast
- CT or MR Enterography w/contrast
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy to the splenic flexure
- Colonoscopy (intubate the ileocecal valve and distal ileum)
- Barium Enema (hardly used)
How do you treat constipation?
- Fiber Supplements (polycarbophil, psyllium, guar gum, methyl cellulose)
- Osmotic laxatives (polyethylene glycol like miralax of glycolax, fleets phosphosoda, magnesium citrate)
- Stool Softeners (Docusate sodium)
- Stimulant of fluid secretion such as bisacodyl and colchicine or 5-T4 Agonists like Zelnorm
This condition is defined as an increase in the frequency of defecation and fluidity, volume and weight of feces. 3+ stools per day, 200+ g/day.
Diarrhea
This type of diarrhea is defined as excessive amounts of water/secretions in the intestines.
Large Volume Diarrhea
This type of diarrhea is defined as the feces volume not being increased due to excessive intestinal motility.
Small Volume Diarrhea