Lower GI Flashcards
What does the large intestine mainly absorb?
Water and electrolytes
Define acute appendicitis
Sudden onset of inflammation of the appendix
What kind of pain is parietal pain?
Localised
What kind of pain is visceral pain?
Referred
What is the treatment(s) of acute appendicitis?
Surgery (mainly)
Antibiotics
Define peritonitis
Where the lining of the abdominal cavity and organs becomes inflamed
What happens when inflamed appendix come into contact with the abdominal wall?
Localised peritonitis
Define anti-biotic associated colitis/ pseudomembraneous colitis
Acute inflammation of the Colon characterised by the formation of adherent inflammatory pseudomembranes overlying the sites of mucosal injury
What is ABAC classically caused by?
Toxins produced by CDIFF that has over grown
Name the symptoms of ABAC
Abdo pain
Change in bowel habits
Fever
What is important to do if you find out a patient has ABAC
Speak to microbiology and stop current antibiotics and start CIDFF related ones and isolate the patient
What are the 2 main types of IBD?
Crohns disease
Ulcerative colitis
Define IBD
Chronic inflammatory conditions of unknown causes affecting the GI tract
Which affects the whole GI tract?
A: Crohns disease
B: Ulcerative colitis
A
Which affects only the colon and rectum and goes no further than the colon?
A: Crohns disease
B: Ulcerative colitis
B
What are thought the be the causes of IBD?
Genetics
Environment
Constitutional susceptibility
Can crohns disease have fistula formation?
Yes
Can ulcerative colitis have fistula formation?
No
Define transmural inflammation
Inflammation across an entire organ or blood vessel
Name the complications people with crohns disease can be exposed to
Anaemia Malabsorption Fistulas Extra-intestinal: skin/eyes/joints Increased risk of bowel carcinoma Bowel obstruction and perforation
In what lower GI disease are there NO skip lesions?
Ulcerative colitis
Name the complications people with ulcerative colitis can be exposed to
Anaemia Electrolyte loss from diarrhoea Extra-intestinal disease Increased risk of carcinoma Dysplasia
Name the causes of colorectal carcinoma
Genetics
Chronic inflammation
Dietary factors
National bowel cancer screening is for what age group?
60-75
What is the blood test required for bowel cancer screening?
Faecal occult blood test
What are the signs and symptoms of colorectal carcinoma?
Altered bowel habit
Blood PR
Iron deficient anemia
Weight loss
