Large Intestine And Anorectal Conditions Flashcards
Large Intestine: Common Symptoms
-Abdominal pain, discomfort, cramping
-Constipation
-Diarrhea
-Distension
-Incontinence
-Bleeding
-Gas
Large Intestine: Exam
Focused intestinal exam
Large Intestine: Common Diagnostic Tools
-Colonoscopy: Entire colon
-Sigmoidoscopy: Left side of colon
-Biopsy: Cancer
-Stool/Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
-Fecal immunochemical Test (FIT)*
Constipation: Definition
– Infrequent passing of stool
– Difficulty passing of stool
– Feeling of incomplete evacuation or impaction
Constipation in the elderly is common & often due to:
–Low fiber diets
-Lack of exercise
-Coexisting medical conditions
-Use of constipating drugs
Constipation: Complications
– hemorrhoids, anal fissure, prolapse
– Other: fecal impaction, syncope
Causes of Constipation: Acute
• Obstruction
• Ileus
• Fecal impaction
• Drugs-examples: NSAIDs, antihistamines, antidepressants, high blood pressure, antispasmodics
Causes of Constipation: Chronic (Functional)
– IBS
– Pelvic floor syndrome
– Slow transit constipation
Causes of Constipation: Chronic (Pathological)
– Diabetes mellitus
– Hypothyroidism
– Pregnancy
– CNS disorders: Parkinsons, stroke, MS, spinal cord lesions
– Tumors
– Peripheral nervous system disorders
– Low fiber diet
– Chronic laxative abuse
– Medication
Constipation: Functional Disorders
-Slow-transit constipation
-Irritable bowel syndrome
-Pelvic floor dysfunction
Constipation: Metabolic Disorders
-Diabetes mellitus
-Hypothyroidism
-Hypocalcemia
-Hypercalcemia
Causes of Constipation: CNS disorders
-Parkinson disease
-Multiple sclerosis
-Stroke
-Spinal cord lesions
Causes of Constipation: Dietary Factors
-Low-fiber diet
-Sugar-restricted Diet
-Chronic laxative abuse
Constipation: Red Flags
– Distended, tympanic abdomen (suggests mechanical obstruction)
– Vomiting
– Blood in stool
– Weight loss
– Recent onset of severe constipation or worsening in elderly
Constipation: Treatment
Lifestyle, diet
-Increase dietary fiber
-Increase water intake
-Exercise
-Treat underlying conditions
Fecal Impaction
Hard, dry stool mass becomes stuck in colon/ rectum, often due to long term constipation
Tenesmus
Cramping rectal feeling that gives sense of needing to have a bowel movement even if already had movement
Diarrhea is defined as:
-Stool weight > 200 g/ day
(Normal: 100 to 200 g/ day)
Diarrhea: Complications from fluid loss
Dehydration, electrolyte loss (sodium, potassium,
magnesium, chloride)
Causes of Diarrhea: Acute
• Infection: viral, bacterial, parasitic
• Food poisoning
• Drugs-examples: Laxatives, Magnesium-containing antacids, Antibiotics
• Dietary factors*
Causes of Diarrhea: Chronic (Functional)
IBS
Causes of Diarrhea: Chronic (Pathological)
– Colitis related conditions
– Malabsorption related conditions
– Hyperthyroidism: possible
– Diabetes mellitus
– Tumors
– Surgery
– Dietary factors* see slide
Dietary Factors that may worsen diarrhea
• Caffeine: coffee, tea, cola, OTC headache remedies (caffeine can stimulate bowel movements)
• Fructose: apple or pear juice, grapes, honey, dates, nuts, figs, prunes, soft drinks
• Sorbitol/mannitol: sugar free foods, mints
• Lactose: milk, ice cream, frozen yogurt, soft cheeses
Diarrhea: Red Flags
– Distended, tympanic abdomen (suggests mechanical obstruction)
– Vomiting
– Blood or pus in stool
– Weight loss
– Chronic diarrhea
– Signs of dehydration
Diarrhea: Acute Watery
-Likely to be infection person)
-Considerations: travel, tainted food, known outbreak
Diarrhea: Acute Bloody
Diverticular bleeding
Ischemic colitis
If recurrent: consider IBD
Diarrhea: Large volume (over 1 liter/day)
-Endocrine
-If oil droplets (w/ weight loss): malabsorption
Diarrhea: After Eating Certain Foods
Food intolerance
Diarrhea: Voluminous, watery or fatty
Consider small bowel disease
Diarrhea: Frequent, small volume, possible blood, mucus
Consider large bowel
Diarrhea: Treatment (Lifestyle, Diet, Supplement)
• Rehydration (may need IV if severe): Ice chips, ginger ale, fruit juices,…
• Electrolyte support: Gatorade, etc
• Diet: eat as tolerated (bananas, rice, apple sauce) Avoid fried, greasy foods
• Probiotics (foods, supplements)
• Fiber? (Depending on root cause)
Diarrhea: Treatment (Other)
• Refer to MD: may need antidiarrheals
• Identify and treat underlying conditions
– May include medication
• Acupuncture
Bowel Incontinence
Involuntary defecation
Bowel Incontinence: Possible Causes
-Fecal impaction, nerve damage, congenital, diabetes, dementia, trauma to rectum/anus, inflammatory process
GI Bleeding: Melena
– Older black tarry colored stool
– Represents upper GI bleed
GI Bleeding: Hematochezia
– Brighter blood
– Represents lower GI bleed
GI Bleeding: Hematochezia
– Brighter blood
– Represents lower GI bleed
Hematochezia: Causes
Tumor, polyps, IBD, hemorrhoids, anal fissure
GI Bleeding: Importance of Amount
– Bleeding from anal fissure/ hemorrhoid: spots on toilet paper
– UC: blood in toilet, in stool
Elderly: Minor vs. Major Bleeding
– Minor bleeding: hemorrhoids & colorectal cancer
– Major bleeding: diverticular disease (diverticulosis)
Large Intestine: Acute Issues
• Ileus (temporary arrest of peristalsis)
• Hernia
• Volvulus (twisting of intestines)
• Intussusception (intestines telescope)
• Perforation & peritonitis
• Obstruction
Large Intestine: Generic Symptoms
• Acute onset
• Severe pain
• May be signs of shock
• Requires immediate medical attention
Intestinal Obstruction: Structural/Mechanical Causes
– Surgical adhesions or scar tissue (MC-60-75%)
– Hernias
– Tumors
– Volvulus
– Intussusception
– Diverticulitis
– Fecal impaction
Symptoms related to the Large intestine
• Milder sx that develop gradually
• Pain in lower abdomen
• Increasing constipation w/ abdominal distention
• Colicky spams last longer
• Vomiting less prominent
Pathological Disease
-Physiological change to tissue or organ
-Gross abnormalities seen by endoscope or tissue biopsy (Blood, pus, scars, ulcers)
Functional Disease
-Physiological function with no known organic basis
-Absence of evidence of underlying organic cause
-Diagnosis primaryily based on subjective findings
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Chronic functional disorder
• Recurrent abdominal pain with altered bowel habits
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Epidemiology
– Tends to begin adolescence / 20’s
– More females
IBS: Causes
-Unclear
– Possible combination of psychological / physical factors
IBS: Diagnosing
-Clinical
– Rule out other differences
– Fulfills Rome Criteria
IBS: Rome IV Criteria
• Recurrent abdominal pain
– At least 1 day/ week in last 3 months
• Associated with 2 or more of the following:
– Related to defecation
– Associated with change in frequency of stool
– Associated with change in form of stool
• Onset of sx: at least 6 months before diagnosis
IBS: Red Flags
– Fever, weight loss, bleeding
– Changes in odor
IBS may develop into anorectal issues including:
Anal fissure, Hemorrhoids, Abscess
IBS: Co-morbidities
– Fibromyalgia
– Endometriosis
– Interstitial cystitis
IBS: Diagnostic Procedures
• Tests are to only rule out other DDx or to screen for organic causes
IBS: Medical/Psychological Treatment
• Support and understanding
• Education about disorder
• Counseling / therapy
• Stress management
IBS: Lifestyle, Diet, Supplements
• Exercise regularly at sx
• Water to remain hydrated
• Avoid food triggers*
• Fiber
• Probiotics, peppermint
• Acupuncture, massage
Colitis
Inflammation of the Colon
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Chronic inflammation of GI tract
– Relapsing diarrhea & abdominal pain