Unit 4 - Gastrointestinal System Flashcards
What are the symptoms of GORD?
Heartburn - an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest that often occurs after eating Acid reflux - where stomach acid comes back up into your mouth and causes an unpleasant, sour taste Oesophagitis - a sore, inflamed oesophagus Bad breath Bloating and belching Feeling or being sick
How is GORD diagnosed?
Via symptoms
Barium swallow
Oesophagoscopy
What are the causes of GORD?
Certain foods or drinks - coffee - tomatoes - alcohol - chocolate - fatty foods - spicy foods Being overweight Smoking Pregnancy Stress and anxiety Some medicines - NSAIDs Hiatus hernia
When should a patient with GORD be referred to a GP?
- lifestyle changes and pharmacy medicines are not helping
- you have heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more
- you have other symptoms
- food getting stuck in throat
- frequently being sick
- losing weight for no reason
What lifestyle changes can be made to reduce GORD?
Eat smaller, more frequent meals
Raise 1 end of your bed by 10 - 20 cm by putting something under your bed or mattress
- your chest and head should be above the level of your waist so stomach acid does not travel up towards your throat
Try to lose weight if you’re overweight
Try to find ways to relax
Do not have food or drink that triggers your symptoms
Do not eat within 3 or 4 hours before bed
Do not wear clothes that are tight around your waist
Do not smoke
Do not drink too much alcohol
Do not stop taking any prescribed medicine without speaking to a doctor first
What medications can be taken to relieve GORD symptoms?
Antacids
- take with food or soon after eating
What is a peptic ulcer?
An open sore that develops on the lining of the stomach
What are the symptoms of a peptic ulcer?
Most common is a burning or gnawing pain in the centre of the abdomen
Aren’t always painful and some people experience other symptoms
- indigestion
- heartburn
- loss of appetite
- feeling sick
- weight loss
What are the causes of a peptic ulcer?
Stomach ulcers occur when the layer that protects the stomach lining from stomach acid breaks down, which allows the stomach lining to become damanged
- an infection with Helicobacteria pylori (H. pylori) bacteria
- taking NSAIDs
- ibuprofen
- aspirin
When should a patient with a peptic ulcer be referred to a GP?
Seek urgent medical advice if:
- vomiting blood
- blood can appear bright red or have dark brown, grainy appearance, similar to coffee grounds
- passing dark, sticky tar-like stools
- a sudden, sharp pain in your tummy that gets steadily worse
What lifestyle changes can be made to manage a peptic ulcer?
Stop taking NSAIDs
- ibuprofen
- aspirin
What medications can be taken to relieve a peptic ulcer?
Proton pump inhibitors
- reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces
Antibiotic
- if H. pylori infection is responsible
What complications can arise from a stomach ulcer?
- bleeding at the site of the ulcer
- the stomach lining at the site of the ulcer splitting open
- perforation
- the ulcer blocking the movement of food through the digestive system
- gastric obstruction
When should a patient with dyspepsia be referred to a GP?
- keep getting indigestion
- are in severe pain
- are 55 or older
- have lost a lot of weight without meaning to
- have difficulty swallowing
- dysphagia
- keep being sick
- have iron deficiency anaemia
- feel like you have a lump in your stomach
- have bloody vomit or poo
What lifestyle changes should be made by a patient with dyspepsia?
- cut down on tea, coffee, cola or alcohol
- prop your head and shoulders up in bed
- this can stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep
- lose weight if you’re overweight
- don’t eat 3 to 4 hours before going to bed
- don’t have rich, spicy or fatty foods
- don’t take ibuprofen or aspirin
- this can make aspirin worse
- don’t smoke
What medications can be taken to treat dyspepsia?
- antacids
- proton pump inhibitors
What is constipation?
Constipation occurs when bowel movements become less frequent and stools become difficult to pass
What are the symptoms of constipation?
It’s likely to be constipation if:
- you have not had a poo at least 3 times during the last week
- the poo is often large and dry, hard or lumpy
- you are straining or in pain when you have a poo
What are the causes of constipation?
- low fluid intake
- lack of fibre in the diet
- lack of exercise
- stress
When should a patient with constipation be referred to a GP?
- symptoms not improving with treatment
- regularly constipated and it lasts a long time
- bloated and it lasts a long time
- have blood in your poo
- have unexpectedly lost weight
- feel very tired all the time
- are taking medicines that’s causing constipation
- opioid painkillers
What lifestyle changes can be made to reduce constipation?
To make your poo softer and easier to pass
- drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol
- increase the fibre in your diet
- add some wheat bran, oats or linseed to your diet
Keep to a regular time and place and give yourself plenty of time to use the toilet
Do not delay if you feel the urge to poo
To make it easier to poo try resting your feet on a low stool while going to the toilet
- if possible raise your knees above your hips
A daily walk or run can help you poo more reguarly
What are the complications of constipation?
Long-term constipation can lead to faecal impaction
- where poo has built up in the last part of the large intestine (rectum)
What is the main symptom of faecal impaction?
Diarrhoea after a long bout of constipation
What medications can be taken to relieve constipation symptoms?
Speak to a pharmacist if diet and lifestyle changes are not helping
- can suggest a suitable laxative
- most laxatives work within 3 days
- they should only be used for a short time
