Workbook

Question 1

GI tract

Answer 1

Responsible for breaking down food and extracting the nutrients and energy required to enable the body to function.
Compromised of several organs:mouth, salivary glands, oesophagus, stomach, L.I, S.I and anus.

Question 2

Indigestion

Answer 2

Functional dyspepsia
Pain experience in chest between breast-bone and belly button
Caused by overproduction of acid produced in stomach when we eat to aid in digestion. Over production leads to irritation and inflammation of stomach lining

Causes: eating or drinking too much, eating spicy or fatty pods, alcohol, medicines, stress, pregnancy

Treatment; antacids, alginates, H2-antagonists, proton pump inhibitors

Lower fat diet, avoid trigger foods, smaller meals, reduce pace, avoid eating late, raise head of bed

Question 3

Heart burn

Answer 3

GORD
Caused by food and stomach acid escaping the stomach and retuning up the oesophagus. Can occur is there is weakened in the sphincter between oesophagus and stomach. Sphincter normally closes these off to proceed from acid. Often called reflux

Causes: eating or drinking too much, eating spicy or fatty pods, alcohol, medicines, stress, pregnancy

Treatment; antacids, alginates, H2-antagonists, proton pump inhibitors

Lower fat diet, avoid trigger foods, smaller meals, reduce pace, avoid eating late, raise head of bed

Question 4

Constipation

Answer 4

Infrequent passing of stools. Reduction in normal bowel habit. Patient specific. May or may not be painful and can result in hard faeces.

Cause: lack of fibre, fluid intake, pregnancy, lack of exercise , medications, age, cancer

Alarm: blood, pain, children, duration, weight loss,committing/diarhoea

Treatment: dietary changes - food and fluids, laxatives, faecal softeners, exercise, avoid holding on, raise feet on a stool whilst toilet, suppository

Question 5

Diarrhoea

Answer 5

Increased frequency of bowel movements with soft or watery stools. Acute = <7days persistent = >14days chronic = <month

Cause: viral or bacterial infection ie contaminated food and water, medications, stress/anxiety, increased alcohol/caffine. Cancer, chrons disease, IBS

Alarm: dehydration, excessive thirst, blood, >4day adult or >2 day children

Treatment: fluid replacement, loperamide, sip water throughout day, rest, light diet with easy digestible foods, avoid high fat, fruit juices

Question 6

Colic