Week 4 GI Lectures Flashcards
What happens if there is a large number of osmotically active molecules in the gut?
It starts to draw water at the cost of interstitial fluid which can lead to cellular dehydration
What does fluid accumulation in the gut cause?
Increased intestinal transit time which leads to a self propelling series of events that cause diarrhoea
What is osmotic diarrhoea?
When there are still solutes left in the lumen of the intestine which draw water into the lumen
What can cause osmotic diarrhoea?
- Laxatives, antacids,
- Acarbose(alpha-glucosidase inhibitor)
- Orlistat (lipase inhibitor)
- Digestive enzyme deficiencies (lactase)
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Inflammatory disease
- Short bowel syndrome
What type of patient is more prone to electrolyte imbalances?
People who have had colon problems/ colon removed
What are the different types of ion transporter?
ATP driven pump
Co-transporter - symporter
Exchange carrier - antiporter
Ion channel
What drives the absorption of water in the intestine?
Sodium
What provides energy for the active transport of minerals, vitamins and metabolites in the intestine?
The sodium gradient
What happens if you introduce less osmotically active molecules to the gut?
There is less fluid movement
What is ORS?
Oral Rehydration Solution
What is secretory diarrhoea?
Endotoxins stimulate colonic electrolyte secretion which causes fluid to be drawn into the intestine
What is inflammatory diarrhoea?
The intestinal wall is damaged so causes diarrhoea as it cannot perform its function properly
What causes inflammatory diarrhoea?
Inflammatory bowel disease
Infectious disease
Irritable colon
How much potassium is outside the cells?
Only about 5%. The healthy potassium level must remain within a very specific limits.
What can high potassium levels cause?
Arrhythmias