Module 3 - Digestive Disorders Flashcards
What is cancer?
A disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue
What is neoplasia?
Uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells or tissues in the body
What is a benign tumour?
A non-cancerous tumour that only grows in one place
Do not spread or invade other parts of the body.
Can be dangerous if they press on vital organs such as the brain
What is a malignant tumour?
A cancerous tumour can spread cancer cells throughout one’s body through the blood or lymphatic system
What are the behaviour of cells?
Healthy cells grow, divide and differentiate into specific types
Cells regulate their growth, maintain DNA integrity, and undergo apoptosis
DNA damage leads to repair or apoptosis
What is apoptosis?
DNA damage leads to repair or apoptosis
What are the 3 rules violated during carcinogenesis?
Cells become cancerous by violating basic rules:
- Unregulated division
- Avoiding apoptosis
- Limitless division
Cancerous cells grow unrestrainedly, resist monitoring and can invade tissues
What are the 7 hallmarks of a cancer cell?
Sustaining proliferative signalling, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, activating invasion, and metastasis
What are the causes of cancer?
Malfunction of genes controlling cell growth and division
Influences include viruses, carcinogens, genetics, diet, immune system, hormones
About 5% of cancers are strongly hereditary
Immunosurveillance and cancer cell production
What are the 2 types of skin cancer?
Basal cell carcinomas and Squamous cell carcinomas
What is basal cell carcinoma?
80% of Non-melanoma skin cancers, slow-growing, rarely metastasise
Mostly on the head and neck of older individuals
Sun exposure most common cause
Can be superficial, nodular, and morphoeic presenting different growth patterns
Diagnosed through biopsy, surgical removal is the most effective treatment
What is squamous cell carcinoma?
20% of non-melanoma skin cancers, slow-growing rarely metastasise
High malignancy risk
Sun exposure and human paploma virus infection are risk factors
Can be recurring and persistent where radiotherapy may be used
Diagnosis and management include biopsy and surgical removal
Cryotherapy for small, low-risk lesions
What are the basic structures of the digestive system?
Stomach
Small Intestine
Large intestine
Pancrease
Liver
Gallbladder
What is the function of the stomach?
C-shaped organ connecting to the esophagus via the esophageal sphincter and to the small intestine via the pyloric sphincter
It contains mucus cells in the stomach lining which secrete mucus to protect the stomach wall from acid and digestive enzymes
Gastric pits and glands include chief cells secreting pepsinogen, parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid activating pepsinogen killing bacteria, mucous neck cells producing thin acidic mucus and enteroendocrine cells produce gastrin a hormone stimulating more gastric juice secretion.
What is the function of the small intestine?
The majority of chemical digestion occurs in the small intestine.
3 segments:
duodenum
jejunum
ileum
Responsible for the absorption of all nutrients and most water
What is the function of the large intestine?
Most nutrients are already absorbed.
Absorbs water and electrolytes, producing and absorbing vitamins
Forming and propelling feces toward the rectum for elimination
What is the function of the pancreas?
Flat organ behind stomach. produces and secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum.
Pancreatic juice contains bicarbonate and several enzymes:
- pancreatic amylase
- pancreatic lipase
- inactive pancreatic proteases
Produces the hormones insulin and glucagon
What is the function of the liver?
Largest internal organ and gland located under the diaphragm
Produces bile crucial for fat digestion; made and secreted by hepatocytes
What is the function of the gallbladder?
Pear-shaped organ connected to the liver by cystic duct
Bile is stored in the gallbladder and becomes more concentrated
What is Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)? (aetiology, symptoms, treatments)
A disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining
Symptoms include burning in throat or chest, belching, nausea or regurgitation, bitter taste, discomfort in the upper abdomen or dry cough
Treatments include elevating head of bed, dietary modifications and weight loss.
Antacids, protein-pump inhibitors and antidiarrhoeal
What is peptic ulcer disease (aetiology, symptoms, treatments)
A sore that develops on the lining of the oesophagus, stomach or small intestine
Ulcers occur when stomach acid damages the lining of the digestive tract. Common causes include bacteria H. Pylori and anti-inflammatory pain relievers including aspirin
Symptoms include pain in the chest or abdomen, burning in the chest or dull pain, indigestion, nausea, passing excessive amounts of gas or vomiting, and abdominal discomfort or fatigue
Treatments include antibiotics, protein-pump inhibitor, antidiarrhoeal and antacid, or therapeutic endoscopy
What is ulcerative colitis? (aetiology, symptoms, treatments)
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract
Symptoms include:
pain in the abdomen, joints or rectum, that can be intermittent in the abdomen
Bloating, blood in stool, constipation, diarrhoea, inability to empty bowels, leaking of stool, or urgent need to defecate
Whole body anaemia, fatigue, fever or loss of appetite
Cramping, scarring within the bile ducts or weight loss is also common
treated through anti-inflammatory medications
What is crohns disease (aetiology, symptoms, treatments)
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract
Symptoms include pain in the abdomen, joints, lower abdomen or rectum, both mild and severe pain
Bloating, blood ins tool, bowel obstruction, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, or flatulence
Whole-body fatigue, fever or loss of appetite
Anal fissure, cramping, depression, flare mouth ulcer, slow growth or weight loss
Treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-inflammatory, steroid, immunosuppressive drugs, vitamins and antibiotics
Surgery for bowel resection
Modifications to diet - dietary fibres
Enemas
What is bowel cancer? (aetiology symptoms, treatments)
Colorectal disease is a type of cancer that affects the colon or rectum. It is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. It can cause severe harm and death
Symptoms include:
diarrhoea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool
Blood in stool, either bright red or dark and tar-like
Abdominal cramps, pain or bloating that won’t go away
unexplained weight loss that is sudden and losing weight without trying
feeling constantly tired and lacking energy, even with enough rest
iron deficiency anaemia due to chronic bleeding causing fatigue, weakness and paleness
Treatment includes
surery
radiotherapy
chemotherapy
targeted therapy
immunotherapy
What is viral hepatitis? (aetiology, symptoms, treatments)
Liver inflammation associated with hepatocyte damage. Causes include microbial pathogens or chemical toxicity
Hep A and E spread through the fecal-oral route
Hep B, C, D, and G are transmitted through blood and bodily fluids
Symptoms include
pain, fever, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, jaundice
Symptoms may be absent in some hepatitis cases
Diagnosis based on detecting specific antibodies or viral antigens in the blood and serological testing revealing elevated liver enzymes and possibly reduced albumin levels
What is fatty liver disease? (aetiology, symptoms, treatments)
Associated with alcohol abuse or excessive dietary intake of fats and monosaccharides
Two forms, alcoholic liver disease nad non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Risk factors include type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, older age, metabolic syndrome
Similar to viral hepatitis
Symptoms include gastrointestinal malaise, mild fever, serious manifestations over time
Management includes:
comprehensive history focusing on alcohol intake is crucial
Liver function tests and possibly a liver biopsy
Managing alcoholic liver disease focuses on alcohol abstinence
Nutritional support and dietary supplementation of micronutrients are important
Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory agents may reduce inflammation
What are gallstones? (aetiology, symptoms, treatments)
Common conditions affecting about 15% of people over 50
Cholesterol in bile may precipitate as crystals forming gallstones usually form in the gallbladder, less commonly in bile ducts
May be asymptomatic, problems arise when stones block bile or pancreatic ducts. Blockage causes upper abdominal pain and acute gallbladder inflammation
Ultrasound is preferred method of imaging, CT scans identify precise location of stones and assess the disease extent
What is diabetes mellitus? Type 1 and type 2 on separate card (aetiology, symptoms, treatments)
Metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal insulin secretion and/or action
leads to hyperglycaemia, the defining feature
Group of distinct diseases with different causes, genetic patterns, epidemiology, and pathophysiologies
Severe imbalance between insulin supply and demand leads to similar metabolic effects and complications
Acute complications result as a disruption to glucose homeostasis (hyperglycaemic or hypoglycemic)
Diagnosed through clinical manifestations, patient history and blood glucose testing
Symptoms include thirst and urination, headaches, weakness fatigue and blurred vision
Treatment for type 1 include insulin replacement therapy
type 2 oral hypoglycemic agents and lifestyle changes
What is diabetes mellitus type 1?
Extensive damage to insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
Caused by an autoimmune attack from the immune system
Develops slowly over several years or rapidly
What is diabetes mellitus type 2?
Patients can produce insulin, but release is dysfunctional
Characterised by reduced insulin sensitivity in muscle, adipose tissue and liver. Resulting from decreased insulin receptors or problems with cell signalling
Pancreatic cells cannot compensate leading to hyperglycaemia
Influenced by genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors
What is hyperglycaemia?
High blood glucose >11 mmil/L after meals
Causes dehydration and increased thirst (polydipsia)
Increased blood volume leads to frequent urination (polyuria)
Kidneys excrete excess glucose
What is hypoglycaemia?
Low blood glucose <3mmol/L
Imbalance between eating, activity levels, and medication dosage
Missing meals, excessive exercise, mistiming/overdosing medication
Disrupts brain unction, rapid development, triggers sympathetic nervous system
Symptoms: concentration lapses, headaches, irritability, tremors, clamming skin, heart rate and blood pressure changes
Advanced hypoglycemia can cause seizures, coma and death
