L5 GI Disorders Flashcards
Upper Gi
ingestion and digestion of food
mouth to duodenum
Lower GI
small intestine to anus
small = digestion and nutrient absorption
large = absorption of water and electrolytes
Red Flags of Systemic Pathology
nausea/vomiting
diarrhea
malaise
fever
night sweats
pallor/diaphoresis
dizziness
Nausea/Vomiting
irritation of nerves, pain, GI disorders, ADR of meds
Diarrhea
abnormal frequency or volume of watery stools
tube feeding, antibiotics, increased caffeine intake
Constipation
infrequent bowel movements b/c they are too hard. Decreased fiber, dehydration, low PA
Anorexia
aversion to food. Cancer, chemotherapy
Dysphagia
obstruction in esophagus neuro condition
Achalasia
failure of esophageal spinchter to relax leads to dysphagia. neuro disease, stress, anxiety
Heartburn/dyspepsia
midline burning pain. Esophageal reflux
GI Bleeding
Hematemesis = vomiting blood, esophagus + up
Melena = black tarry stools. stomach to rectum
Hematochexia = bright red blood in stool. Local bleeding
Fecal incontinence
unable to hold poop. CNS injury
Pain in GI
T4-T12 depends on structure
RUQ
liver and gallbladder
duodenum
transverse and ascending colon
1/2 pancreas
LUQ
left liver lobe
stomach
1/2 pancreas
transverse and descending colon
RLQ
cecum
appendix
ascending colon
LLQ
sigmoid colon
portion of descending colon
Normal aging effects on GI system
appetite depression
vitamins, macronutrients due to slow absorption
decreased gastric acid
Decrease in intrinsic factor production, can lead to anemia
B12
needed for RBC, neurons, DNA. HCL breaks B12 bond so it can be used. then it is bound to intrinsic factor so it can be used
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Chronic heartburn >2x a week
lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly and stomach contents reflux into the esophagus.
Epidemiology GERD
Extremely common in american adults, 2/3 will experience it
peaks at 50 years of age
75% of individuals experience reoccurrence
RF of GERD
decreased pressure of lower esophageal sphincter
increased gastric pressure, pushes food back up
gastric contents near gastroesophageal junction
Common heartburn triggers
fatty/fried foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, garlic, NSAIDs, caffeine, chocolate, etc
GERD Patho and Dx
Patho: acidic gastric contents contact the walls of the esophagus causing inflammation in mucosal walls
Dx: usually by history
CP of GERD
heartburn, midline burning pain
dysphagia
coughing wheezing
bending over, laying down makes it worse
antacids, standing, fluids make it better
GERD Referral of Pain
can present without heartburn
symptoms could include excessive clearing of throat, change in voice, problems swallowing
TX GERD
Lifestyle modifications –> avoid caffeine/personal triggers, remain upright 3 hours after eating, eat small meals, drink fluids between meals
Drugs to decrease acid–> antacids, histamine blockers, proton pump inhibitors
surgery
Sleeping positions for GERD
- put risers under bedposts at head of bed
- use bolster for reading
3.Left sidelying is better b/c is kinks the esophageal sphincter
Exercise-related GERD
strenuous exercise inhibits gastric emptying
condition is more common in athletes who have non-exercise tendency for GERD
Advice: eat smaller meals before training, dilute sports drinks, avoid exercises that increases abdominal pressure
Hiatal Hernia Pathogenesis
b/c of enlarged lower esophageal spinchter, the stomach moves into and past the diaphragm. Pressure on sphincter is reduced, allowing sphincter to open at the wrong time, causing stomach contents and acid to flow into esophagus
Hiatal hernia
lower esophageal sphincter becomes enlarged, allowing stomach to pass through diaphragm into thoracic cavity
relatively common, incidence increases with age. More common in female
DX of Hiatal Hernia
barium x-ray
endoscopy
RF of Hiatal Hernia
anything that weakness the diaphragm
increases in intra-abdominal pressure
(lifting, forceful cough, pregnancy, obesity)
CP of Hiatal hernia
heartburn 30-60 min after meals, exacerbated with tight clothing or supine position
possible difficulty in swallowing
Tx in Hiatal Hernia
antacids and elevating head of bed
surgical repair for some cases
Abdominal Precautions
logrolling, avoid twisting
no lifting >10 lbs
No bending or squatting
avoid valsalva maneuver
wear abdominal binder
Hiatal Hernia tips for PTs
avoid supine exercises
avoid exercises that increase intra-abdominal pressure
teach proper breath control
instruct proper body mechanics
Peptic ulcer disease
break in mucosal lining of stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus, exposing submucosal areas to gastric secretions
1/2 million new cases a year
Penetrating ulcer
gone through stomach, is now penetrating another organ
RF for Peptic ulcer disease
Helicobacter pylori infection
Aging
Chronic use of NSAIDs
Pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease
90% are caused by h.pylori (bacteria)
common cause is NSAIDs
CP of Peptic ulcer disease
Burning, cramping pain is most common. Near epigastric location, lasts few min-hrs
Worse when stomach is empty, common flare ups at night, can be relieved by acid reducing meds
Dx includes history or H. pylori test
Tx of Peptic Ulcer disease
- ABX
- REduce level of acid in digestive system with histamine, PPIs, antacids
- Prevent recurrence by stopping smoking, limit alcohol, avoid NSAIDs
PT Tip for Peptic Ulcer Disease
many people do not report classic S/S, but present with pain after a perforation or hemorrhage
Referred pain with complications, mid thoracic region to R shoulder
Gastric Cancer
malignant cells form in the gastric mucosa
2nd most common cause of cancer death in the world. Significant decline in incidence over most of the century, mainly due to improved sanitation and decreased transmission of H pylori
RF for Gastric Cancer
chronic h pylori infection
male
>50 year old, median age at dx is 70
Gastric Cancer Patho and Dx
Patho: multifactorial, often begins with h. pylori infection. Duodenal reflux, decreased gastric acid secretion
Dx: upper endoscopy and biopsy
CP of Gastric Cancer
Early: asymptomatic, indigestion, stomach discomfort, heartburn, nausea
Later: blood in stool, bloated feeling after eating, vomiting, weight loss, stomach pain
Tx and Prognosis of Gastric Cancer
Tx: surgery is a treatment of choice in 1/3 of cases. Chemo therapy and radiation
Prognosis: 2/3 of patients are diagnosed in advnaced stages, with metastatic stage is incurable.
Screening helps to detect 40% of tumors early
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
chronic inflammatory diseases of GI tract of unknown etiology. Includes chrohns and ulcerative colitis
about 1 million cases
RF for IBD
15-35 years old at peak
caucasian
females
living in N. america or europe
family history
Pathogenesis of IBD
UC: inflammation uniformly in rectum, extends proximally and stops. Involves mucosa and submucosa
CD: inflammation is discontinuous, most often in small intestine or colon. Involves all bowel layers
Chronic inflammation causes ulcerations. The inflammation is caused by genetics and environment, NOT By diet and stress alone
CP of IBD
remissions and exacerbations
abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal mass, anorexia, weight loss
DX of IBD
medical hx
colonoscopy (very sensitive test)
TX of IBD
goal is to reduce inflammation that triggers S/S
drugs: anti inflammatory, ABX
surgery, resections
CD is
incurable, chronic, debilitating
most patients require surgery