Lesson 6 (Chapter 3: Disorders of the Digestive System) Flashcards
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition described by the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. At the lower end of the esophagus, where it joins the stomach, is a circular ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter. After swallowing, the sphincter relaxes to allow food to enter the stomach and then contracts to prevent the backup of food and acid into the esophagus. Acid reflux happens when this sphincter doesn’t tighten or close properly, allowing digestive juices and other contents from the stomach to rise up into the esophagus.
Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach protrudes upward, through the diaphragm, and into the chest. This is usually due to an anatomical abnormality. The word hiatal comes from the root hiat/o, meaning opening, and the suffix -al, meaning pertaining to. A hiatal hernia may be the cause of GERD.
Gastric Inflammation
An inflammation of the stomach lining is called gastritis, coming from the root gastr/o, meaning stomach, and the suffix -itis, meaning inflammation. Gastritis can cause nausea and vomiting. It may be caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the stomach and intestines. This comes from the root word gastr/o, meaning stomach, the root word enter/o, meaning small intestine, and the suffix -itis, meaning inflammation.
Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcer disease is sores within the lining of the mucous membrane of the digestive system. The root word pept/o means digestion and the suffix -ic means pertaining to. Helicobacter pylori infections often cause peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers may occur in the stomach, called gastric ulcers. They may occur in the upper part of the small intestine, called duodenal ulcers. If a peptic ulcer erodes through the entire thickness of the organ wall, it is called a perforated ulcer.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease. With UC, the person’s immune system identifies the lining of the colon as foreign and attacks it, leading to inflammation. This inflammation causes the lining to develop ulcers and bleed. The cause is unknown, and the condition cannot be cured. However, it can usually be controlled with medication. For most people, ulcerative colitis has a frustrating pattern of flares (condition worsens) and remissions (symptoms are absent).
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. Like ulcerative colitis, the body’s immune system identifies the lining of the digestive tract as foreign and attacks it, causing inflammation. The disease also follows a repeating cycle of intermittent flares and periods of remission. There is no cure for Crohn’s disease, but medicines can help to keep the disease under control. If medicine does not control symptoms, surgery might be an option to remove the diseased part of the intestines.
Diverticulosis
Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that are most commonly located in the colon. A single pouch is called a diverticulum. These pouches occur when the inner layer of the digestive tract pushes through weak spots in the outer layer. Most people with this condition, called diverticulosis, are unaware because it usually does not cause symptoms. Most doctors believe this condition is due to a diet low in fiber. A low-fiber diet leads to constipation, which increases pressure within the digestive tract with straining during bowel movements. The combination of pressure and straining over many years likely leads to the development of diverticula.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis may lead to diverticulitis, which occurs when bacteria are trapped in the diverticula, infecting them. This condition usually produces localized abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and fever. Treatment includes antibiotics to treat the infection and a liquid diet to allow the bowel to heal. Repeated attacks of diverticulitis may require surgery to remove the affected portion of the colon.
Abdominal Hernia
A hernia of the abdominal wall is a protrusion of the abdominal contents through an acquired or congenital area of weakness in the wall. Abdominal hernias (also called ventral hernias) are extremely common, particularly among males, necessitating about 700,000 operations each year in the United States.
Abdominal hernias cause bulging but little discomfort. However, some may become incarcerated or strangulated, causing a number of severe symptoms, including acute pain, nausea, and vomiting.
An incarcerated hernia can block the intestine because a loop of intestine becomes stuck in the hernia. An incarcerated hernia can cause a strangulated hernia.
A strangulated hernia occurs when the loop of intestine inside the hernia cuts off the blood supply to the intestines, causing tissue death. A strangulated hernia is a life-threatening condition.
Surgery is needed immediately if the hernia is incarcerated or strangulated; otherwise, elective surgery is done. Surgical repair closes or covers the opening so the abdominal contents cannot slide back out.
Colorectal Cancer
Cancer of the large intestine and rectum (colorectal) is one of the most common types of cancer in Western countries. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer accounted for 9% of new cancer diagnoses for men and 7% of new cancer diagnoses for women in 2018.
Colorectal cancer often begins as a growth called a polyp on the surface of the intestinal or rectal lining. Most polyps are not cancerous, but some may develop into cancer over time. As the cancer grows, it begins to invade the wall of the intestine or rectum. Nearby lymph nodes also may be invaded. Because blood from the wall of the intestine and much of the rectum is carried to the liver, colorectal cancer can metastasize to the liver.
