Lower GI Flashcards
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix
Characterized by Rousing’s sign, pain
Treatment is surgical removal
Diverticulosis
Multiple diverticula without inflammation
Chronic constipation, bowel irregularities, nausea, anorexia, bloating, abdominal distention
Diverticulitis
Infection and inflammation of the diverticula
Symptoms include mild/severe pain in LLQ, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and leukocytosis
Diverticular Disease
May occur anywhere in the intestine but most common in the sigmoid colon
Diagnosis is usually by colonoscopy
Care of Patient with Diverticulitis
Encourage fluid intake of at leased 2 L/day
Soft foods with increased fiber, such as cooked vegetables
Exercise
Bulk laxatives (psyllium) and stool softeners
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum
Rupture and contamination are complications
Characterized by diffuse pain, tenderness, elevated WBC
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
More prevalent in Jewish people, characterized by exacerbations and remissions
Cause is unknown
Crohn’s Disease
Regional Enteritis
Most common in distal ileum or ascending colon
Extends to all layers of the bowel
Ulcers develop, lumen narrows
Signs and Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
Gradual onset
Pain in RLQ
Cramping after meals
Diarrhea, steatorrhea, blood in the stool
Weight loss, nutritional deficiency
Abscesses or fistulas
Diagnostics of Crohn’s Disease
CBC, CMP, ESR, Fecal Occult Blood
Barium studies (“String sign”)
CT, MRI
Capsule endoscopy, balloon endoscopy
Proctosigmoidoscopy/Colonoscopy
Ulcerative Colitis
Usually begins in the rectum
Multiple ulcerations, contiguous
Bowel narrows, bleeding occurs
5% develop colon cancer
Signs and Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Diarrhea, passage of mucus and pus
LLQ pain, spasms of the rectum, rectal bleeding
Diagnostics of Ulcerative Colitis
Stool analysis
CBC, CMP
X-Ray, CT, MRI
Sigmoidoscopy/Colonoscopy
Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Reduce inflammation
Low residue, high protein, high calorie diets
Medications
Bowel rest
Surgery
Medications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Sedatives and antidiarrheals
Pain relievers
Iron/Calcium supplements
Aminosalicylates
5-ASA
Corticosteroids
Immune system suppressors
Antibiotics
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Noninflammatory
Functional disorder
Abdominal pain, constipation, urgent bowel movements
Associated with stress, anxiety, depression
Colorectal Cancer
3rd most common cause of cancer deaths in the US
Manifestations include change in bowel habits: blood in the stool, tenesmus, symptoms of obstruction, pain
Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Beginning at age 50, both men and women should have:
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or colonoscopy every 10 years, or double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or yearly fecal occult blood test
Diagnostic Evaluation of Colorectal Cancer
Abdominal and rectal exam
Stool for occult blood
Barium enema
Proctosigmoidoscopy/Colonoscopy with biopsy and cytology
CEA elevations
Liver Dysfunction
Glycogen is replaced with lipids
Inflammatory cell infiltration and growth of fibrous tissue
Possible regeneration of cells
End result is a fibrotic liver
Clinical Manifestations of Liver Dysfunction
Jaundice, portal hypertension and ascites, esophageal varices, hepatic encephalopathy or coma, nutritional deficiencies