Lower Gastrointestinal Problems

Question 1

Diarrhea Treatment

Answer 1

Replace fluid and electrolytes

Decrease the number, volume and frequency of stools.

Oral solutions with glucose and electrolytes.

Parenteral fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, nutrition.

Pharmaceutical agents

Question 2

causes of constipation

Answer 2

• Insufficient dietary fiber
• Inadequate fluid intake
• Medications
• Lack of exercise.
• Sociocultural beliefs
• Environmental constraints
• Ignoring the urge
• Chronic laxative abuse
• Organic causes

Question 3

Types of Intestinal ostomies.

Answer 3

End stoma – can be permanent or temporary
Loop stoma – usually temporary
Double-barreled stoma – usually temporary
Ileoanal reservoir – total colectomy

Question 4

Treatment of Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Answer 4

Uncomplicated disease is treated with a high-fibre diet and bulk laxatives, such as psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid (Metamucil).

With acute diverticulitis the goal is to rest the colon by keeping the patient NPO with parenteral fluids.

Question 5

Types of hernias

Answer 5

Inguinal
Most common
Can be direct or indirect

Femoral
Occurs more in women

Ventral, or incisional
Caused by weakness in the abdominal wall at an old incisional site
Common with obesity or individuals who have had multiple surgeries in the same area

Question 6

Treatment of Hernias

Answer 6

surgery

Question 7

Hemorrhoids treatment

Answer 7

• Sitz baths, nonsteroid creams
• Prevention of constipation
• Avoidance of prolonged standing or sitting
• Proper use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs available for hemorrhoidal symptoms

Question 8

Anal Fissure treatment

Answer 8

Treated with topical preparations – nitrates and calcium channel blockers, sitz baths, stool softeners.