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gi tract - year one > minor ailments - lower GI > Flashcards

minor ailments - lower GI Flashcards

1
Q

what is diarrhoea

A

the passing of watery stool more than three times a day

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2
Q

what are the three types of diarrhoea

A

acute
persistent
chronic

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3
Q

characteristics of acute diarrhoea

A

comes on suddenly, lasts upto 14 days

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4
Q

characteristics of persistent diarrhoea

A

lasts more than 14 days

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5
Q

characteristics of chronic diarrhoea

A

lasts more than 4 weeks

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6
Q

what are the mechanisms that cause diarrhoea

A
  • increased osmotic load in the gut lumen
  • increase in secretion
  • inflammation of the intestinal lining
  • increased intestinal motility
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7
Q

symptoms of diarrhoea

A

watery, frequently passed stools.
can have:
- abdominal cramps
- flatulence
- weakness
- nausea, vomiting, fever
- headache, loss of appetite

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8
Q

what can fluid loss lead to

A

electrolyte loss

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9
Q

how to treat diarrhoea

A

usually goes away on own

  • can drink fluids to avoid dehydration
  • eat as soon as possible (high carbs)
  • consider anti-diarrhoea medication (loperamide)
  • use painkillers to treat fever or headache
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10
Q

what do dehydration drinks do

A

replace lost electrolytes but will not treat diarrhoea

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11
Q

example of rehydration drink

A

dioralyte
lightly salted rice water can be used as at home recipe

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12
Q

how do antidiarrhoeals work

A

they slow transit time through the GI tract which increases water and electrolyte absorption

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13
Q

warning symptoms of diarrhoea (must refer)

A
  • blood or mucous in motions
  • signs of dehydration
  • lasts a long time
  • vomitting >1 day
  • high fever
  • change in bowel habit or travel abroad
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14
Q

what is constipation

A

the passage of hard stools less frequently that the patients on normal patter

inability to completely empty the bowel

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15
Q

symptoms of constipation

A
  • change in stool frequency
  • stools can become unusually hard/lumpy/large/small
  • stomach ache & cramps
  • bloated, nauseous, no appetite
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16
Q

causes of constipation

A
  • poor diet (lack of fibre/fluids)
  • lack of mobility
  • medication
  • pregnancy
  • medical conditions
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17
Q

treatment of constipation

A

lifestyle advice
- increase in fibre, adding bulking agents
- increase fluid intake
- increase daily exercise

laxatives

18
Q

what are the three types of laxatives

A

stimulant
bulk forming
osmotic

19
Q

what do stimulant laxatives do

A

increase intestinal motility

20
Q

how long to stimulant laxatives take to work

A

8-12 hours

21
Q

side effects of stimulant laxatives

A

abdominal cramps
excessive fluid loss
electrolyte imbalance

22
Q

examples of stimulant laxatives

A

Senna, bisacodyl

23
Q

how do bulk forming laxatives work

A

they stimulate peristalsis in a similar way to dietary fibre

24
Q

how long do bulk forming laxatives take to work

A

24-36 hours

25
Q

why is it important to drink water while taking bulk-forming laxatives

A

to avoid impactioni

26
Q

side effects of bulk forming laxatives

A

flatulence and abdominal bloating

27
Q

examples of bulk forming laxatives

A

bran
isphaghula husk

28
Q

how do osmotic laxatives work

A

they reduce fluid in the bowel by osmosis so must drink plenty while using

29
Q

how long do osmotic laxatives take to work

A

up to 3 days

30
Q

side effects of osmotic laxatives

A

flatulence
abdominal pain
colic

31
Q

examples of osmotic laxatives

A

lactulose
magnesium

32
Q

warning symptoms of constipation (refer)

A
  • constipation alternating with diarrhoea
  • blood or mucus in motions
  • weight loss
  • abuse of laxatives
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • angina
33
Q

what do the anal vascular cushions do

A

act to assist the anal sphincter in maintaining continence

34
Q

what are haemorrhoids

A

abnormal swelling or enlargement of the anal vascular cushions

35
Q

symptoms of haemorrhoids

A
  • bright red rectal bleeding (blood often found on surface of stool, not mixed in)
  • itching due to chronic mucus discharge and irritation
  • rectal fullness or anal lump
  • large prolapsed haemorrhoids can thrombose (very painful, tender mass)
36
Q

causes of haemorrhoids

A
  • excessive straining
  • increasing age
  • raised intra-abdominal pressure (pregnancy, chronic cough)
37
Q

how to treat haemorrhoids

A
  • treat the constipation
  • creams, ointments and suppositories (treat symptoms not cure)
  • local anaesthetic, astringent & barrier cream
38
Q

warning symptoms of haemorrhoids (refer)

A
  • exclude other causes of rectal bleeding eg malignancy, IBD
39
Q

how does loperamide work

A

it stimulates MU receptors in the GI tract which slows down peristalsis and reduces transit time

allows more fluids to be reabsorbed into GI tract

40
Q

what form of laxative should you never give to those using opioids

A

bulk-forming laxatives

41
Q

why shouldn’t you give bulk forming laxatives to those using opioids

A

they have very little peristalsis, can lead to complications having too much in the bowel

42
Q

which laxatives should be used during pregnancy

A

osmotic

gi tract - year one (25 decks)

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