Upper GI Flashcards
Upper GI organs
Esophagus, stomach, beginning of small intestine
2 categories of UGI probs
esophagus problems and influx disorders
How does dysphagia begin?
With solids, then moves to liquids
Mechanical causes of dysphagia
Structural probs like tumor, diverticula, stenosis and strictures
Neuromuscular causes of dysphagia
CVA, achalasia (LES doesn’t open well)
Can ppl recover from dysphagia
Yes, even with trach/intubation
GERD
LES does not close well so lower stomach gastric contents does not go back up
- lack of strength or inc ab pressure
Triggers for GERD
very acidic - fatty, spicy, tomato, citrus, caffeine, lots of alc, smoking, sleep pattern, obesity, pregnancy, pharmacologic agents
GERD CM
burning feel (pyrosis), dyspepsia, regurgitating, dysphagia, chest pain, pulmonary symptoms, mouth problems (gingivitis, sore throat, laryngitis), earache
Complications of GERD
Ulcers, scars, strictures, Barrett’s esophagus
Barrett’s esophagus
Develop abnormal metaplastic cells (premalignant)
- 3x risk of developing adenocarcinoma
Treatment for Barrett’s eso
No great tx; prevention bc very low survival
Hiatal hernia
defect in the diaphragm that lets part of the stomach pass into the thorax
Sliding hernia
small hernia that leaves the peritoneum intact
- no tx
Paraesophageal hernia
Part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and stays there permanently; can protrude into the chest if peritoneum is thin
Can there be mixed type hiatal hernia
Yes
Causes of hiatal hernia
Age related, injury or damage may weaken diaphragm muscle, excess pressure on muscle and/or stomach (cough, vom, BM strain), obesity, smoking
CM of hiatal hernia
Belching, dysphagia, chest or epi pain or asymptomatic