Session 7- Distal GI pathology Flashcards
pathophysiology of diarrhoea
unwanted substance in gut stimulates secretion and motility
colon is overwhelmed and cannot absorb the quantity of water it recieves from ileum
secretetory diarrhoea
toxin in gut lumen therefore water is secreted inside. Too much secretion of ions
persists despite fasting
increased stool osmolality
osmotic diarrhoea
water moves into gut becaue there are molecules present that have a high osmotic pressure.
stops when fasting
why do you get diarrhoea if you have lactose intolerance
as the lactose isnt broken don it acts as a osmotic pressure drawing water in and the gets fermented in Large intestine
constipation
hard stools
difficulty passing stools
inability to pass stools
risk factors of constipation
female
certain meds
low levels of activity
age
treatments of constipation
psychological support
increased fluid intake
increased activity and fibre
laxatives
what is the appendix
diverrticulum off the caecum
how does the appendix differ from the colon structuly
has a complete longitudinal layer of muscle whereas colon has incomplete bands called teniae coli
blood supply to appendix
comes up through mesentery- mesoappendix- from the ileocolic branch of SMA
why is the location of the appendix important
changes the presentation of acute appendicitis
cause if appendicitis
blockage of appendicel lumen creates a higher pressure in the appendix
-this causes venous pressure to rise which blocks arterial supply -> ischeamia
a viral or bacteral infection causes the lymphoid tissue to hypertrophy to the point that they obstruct the lumen
presentation of appendicitis
poorly localised per-umbilical pain
anorexia
nausea/ vomiting
low grade fever
where is pain felt normally in appendicitis
right iliac fossa
where is mcburneys point
2/3 of the way from umbilicus to ASIS
what is rebound tenderness
push into right iliac fossa let go and it should hurt more when let go than when pressure is applied
diagnosis of appendicitis
blood test- raised WBC
history and physical examination
pregnancy test- ectopic preg
treatment if appendicitis
appendectomy - open or laproscopic