Lecture 2: Management of Peptic Ulcer Disease and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease Flashcards
What is dyspepsia?
A range of symptoms arising from the GI tract which are present for 4 weeks or more. These include upper abdominal pain, discomfort, heartburn, gastric reflux, nausea or vomiting
What is non ulcer dyspepsia?
There is no known cause for the symptoms. So other causes for the dyspepsia such as duodenal ulcers, stomach ulcers, inflamed oesophagus, inflamed stomach are not the cuase
What is a peptic ulcer?
Sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, lower oesophagis or small intestine
Are duodenal or gastric ulcers more common?
Duodenal
What causes bleeding in the GI lumen?
Damage to the blood vessels in the tissues underlying the ulcer may cause bleeding
What is the first sign of perforation?
Sudden, intense, steady abdominal pain
What is peritonitis?
When bacteria that live in your stomach escape and infect the lining of your abdomen. The infection can rapidly spread into the blood (sepsis)
What are the factors that protect the walls of the stomach from bieng digested?
- The surface of the mucosa is lined with cells that secrete a slightly alkaline mucus that forms a thin layer over the liminal surface. Both the protein content of mucus and its alkalinity neutralise hydrogen ions. The mucus forms a chemical barrier between the highly acidic contents of the lumen and the cell surface.
- Tight junctions between the epithelial cells lining of the stomach limit the diffusion of hydrogen into the underlying tissues
- Damaged epithelial cells are replaced every few days by new cells arising by the division of cells within gastric pits
How are ulcers formed?
Involved breaking down the mucosal barrier and exposing the underlying tissue to the corrosive action of acid and pepsin
Where can peptic ulceration occur?
Stomach or duodenum
What are characteristic features of peptic ulcers?
- Epigastric pain
- nocturnal pain
- Vomiting
How is epigastric pain relived?
Antacids
Who are peptic ulcers common in?
- Males
- Smokers
- Family history of the disease
- People who use NSAIDs
- Heavy alcohol intake
What type of peptic ulcers are more common in woman?
Gastric
What do ulcers require the presence of to occur?
acid and peptic activity
What are gastric ulcers associated with?
The breakdown of the protective function of the gastric mucosa and normal or redcued acid secretion
What are duodenal ulcers assosiacted with?
Excess acid secretion
What are the causes of peptic ulcers?
- H pylori
- NSAIDs
- Pepsin
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Bile acids
- Steroids
- Stress
- Changed in gastric mucin consistency
What are the defence mechanisms of peptic ulcers?
- Mucus
- Bicarbonate
- Mucosal blood flow
- Prostaglandins
What are aggressive factors of peptic ulcers?
- NSAIDs
- H pylori infection
- Alchohol
- Bile salts
- Acid
- Pepsin
What is the function of prostaglandin E?
Have an important protective role, PGE increases the production of both bicarbonate and the mucous layer
What are the two most important factors disrupting the balance between acid/pepsin attack and mucosal resistance?
H. pylori and NSAIDs.
How does H pylori lead to increased acid secretion?
Stimulates increased gastrin release and causes direct damage to the mucosa so disrupts the physiological balance
How do NSAIDs disrupt the balance between acid and mucosal resistance?
Impair mucosal resistance but dont alter acid secretion
How does smoking lead to peptic ulcers?
It is harmful to the gastroduoddenal mucosa, H pylori infiltration is denser in the gastric antrum of smokers. Smoking may increase susceptinility, deminisb the gastric mucosal defecensive factors or may provide a more favourable milieu for H pylori infection
How does ethanol lead to peptic ulcers?
Causes gastric mucosal irritation and nonspecific gastritis