Digestive System #2

Question 1

Cirrhosis of the liver

Answer 1

chronic degenerative disease, slow deterioration of the liver
liver cells are replaced by hard, fibrous scar tissue
twice as common in men, loss of appetite and weight, spidery marks appear on face and body
due to chronic alcoholism, hepatitis, parasites
treatment = rest, vitamin and mineral supplements, liver transplantation

Question 2

Viral hepatitis

Answer 2

mild inflammation of the liver to destruction of hepatic cells
many patients have no symptoms, some symptoms include headache, anorexia, jaundice, myalgia

Question 3

Hepatitis A

Answer 3

highly contagious and causes mild acute liver infection
causing spiking fevers
transmitted by fecal-oral route through food, water, and stools
treatment = rest, symptom control, medications

Question 4

Hepatitis B

Answer 4

serum hepatitis, more insidious than hep A
liver inflammation that causes destruction of liver cells and necrosis
transmitted primarily through percutaneous and permucosal routes, due to sexual contact or blood exchange
treatment = oral antiviral therapy, Hep B immune globulin for immunity

Question 5

Hepatitis C

Answer 5

most common blood borne infection in US, mostly asymptomatic
resembles hep A symptoms, results in gradual liver disease
transmitted by blood and body fluids
treatment = no cure, rest and well balanced diet

Question 6

Cancer of the liver

Answer 6

primary tumor of the liver, usually arises in the setting of chronic liver disease
no additional symptoms other than liver disease, abdominal pain, weight loss, mass
due to hep B virus infection, heredity, hep C, alcohol
treatment = surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation

Question 7

Cholelithiasis

Answer 7

gallstones, abnormal presence of calculi in the bile
asymptomatic until bile ducts become obstructed, colicky pain
common with increasing age, obesity, in females, oral contraceptive use
treatment = generally left alone, if pain, then surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy)

Question 8

Colecystitis

Answer 8

inflammation of the gallbladder, usually associated with gallstones
generally occurs due to gallstone obstruction, or trauma
treatment = dietary modification with reduction of fatty foods, NPO

Question 9

Acute and chronic pancreatitis

Answer 9

inflammation of the pancreas with involvement of adjacent/remote organs
severe abdominal pain radiating to the back, nausea, vomiting, mild jaundice
due to alcoholism, biliary tract disease, trauma, greatly elevated calcium levels
treatment = intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement, NPO, pain medication

Question 10

Pancreatic cancer

Answer 10

usually adenocarcinoma, more often in the head of the pancreas
abdominal tenderness, weight loss, jaundice, glucose intolerance
fourth leading cause of cancer related death, factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes
treatment = surgical resection, chemotherapy

Question 11

Malnutrition

Answer 11

primary deprivation of protein-energy or secondary to deficiency diseases
loss of energy, diarrhea, drastic weight change, skin lesions, loss of hair
Kwashiorkor = deficiency of protein in presence of adequation energy (infants)
Marasmus = extreme malnutrition (where food is not available)
treatment = nutritional supplements, surgery if lesions of GI tract

Question 12

Malabsorption syndrome

Answer 12

intestinal absorption of dietary nutrients is impaired
unable to absorb fat, abdominal discomfort, bloating, yellow/grey stools
due to defective mucosal cells in small intestine
can be caused by diseased pancreas, hepatic disease, bile duct obstruction, parasitic infestations
treatment = controlled diet, high protein/high calorie, vitamins A,D,E,K

Question 13

Celiac disease

Answer 13

disease of small intestine, malabsorption, gluten intolerance
weight loss, anorexia, abdominal distention, skin rash, pale stools
genetic factors, more often in females
treatment = gluten-free diet, corticosteroid drugs

Question 14

Food poisoning

Answer 14

eating food that contains bacterial toxins, viruses, chemicals
onset is sudden, rumbling stomach sound, pain
generally mushrooms, shellfish, lead and mercury
treatment = bed rest, nutritional support

Question 15

Anorexia nervosa

Answer 15

linked to psychological disturbance resulting from distorted body image
generally female adolescent, thinning hair, poor wound healing, hyperactive
due to family and social factors, stress hormones
treatment = promote normal weight, psychotherapy, counselling, nutritional support

Question 16

Bulimia

Answer 16

behavioural disorder, eating followed by purging/vomiting
commonly young women, more difficult to detect than anorexia
poor dentition, pharyngitis, esophagitis, pancreatitis, broken blood vessels in eyes
psychosocial factors, depression are contributors
treatment = antidepressants, support groups, proper nutrition

Question 17

Motion sickness

Answer 17

loss of equilibrium during motion, nausea and vomiting during transportation
results from dislocation of fluid in semicircular canals
treatment = avoid food/liquid before travel, medications