#6 Gastrointestinal System Flashcards
(36 cards)
Tumours of the colon ?
1.) Ascending (right) colon tumours are generally large and bulky.
2.) Tumours of the descending (left) colon are small and button like masses
What is a rectal carcinoma ?
generally located 15cm from the anus opening, spreads transmurally (passing through an anatomical wall) to the vagina in women or prostate in men.
Clinical manifestations colon tumours
pain, bloody stool and bowel habit change
colorectal cancer diagnosis tools/treatment ?
fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy. treatment is usually surgical removal, with chemotherapy and radiotherapy used.
what is ulcerative colitis
inflammatory disease that causes ulceration, abscess formation and necrosis of the colonic and rectal mucosa
symptoms of ulcerative colitis
cramping pain, bleeding, frequent diarrhoea, dehydration and weight loss
what is crohn’s disease ?
similar to ulcerative colitis, however it affects both the large and small intestines and ulceration tends to involve all lumen layers.
symptoms of crohns disease ?
‘skip lesion’ fissures and granulomas, abdominal tenderness, diarrhoea and weight loss.
what is a peptic ulcer ?
an area of mucosal inflammation and ulceration caused by excessive secretion of gastric acid or disruption of the protective mucosal barrier, or both.
3 types of peptic ulcers ?
gastric, duodenal and stress
gastric ulcer ?
develop near parietal cells, generally in the antrum and become chronic. gastric secretions may be normal or decreased and may get pain after eating.
duodenal ulcers ?
most common peptic ulcer, associated with increased numbers of parietal (acid-secreting) cells in the stomach, elevated gastrin levels and rapid gastric emptying.
Pain occurs when the stomach is empty and is relieved with food or antacids. Duodenal ulcers usually heal spontaneously and recur frequently.
Stress Ulcers ?
acute form of peptic ulcer that accompany’s severe illness, systemic trauma or neural injury. Emotinal stress may cause stress ulcers. Usually occurs in multiple sites of the stomach and duodenum.
what is malnutrition ?
lack of nourishment from inadequate amounts of kilojoules, protein, vitamins or minerals.
starvation ?
extreme state of malnutrition
what does short-term starvation result in ?
stimulates stored glucose to be produced from glucose stores and non-carbohydrate molecules
Long-term starvation ?
Triggers the breakdown of ketone bodies and fatty acids, resulting in proteolysis (protein breakdown) which is advanced stage and death will ensue if nutrition is not restored
What does a intestinal obstruction prevent ?
The normal movement of chyme through the intestinal tract. It can involve the SI or LI. Can be due to
1.) intussusception (part of intestine sliding into another part
2.) Volvulus (twisting or knotting of the intestinal tract)
3.) abdominal hernia (organ pushes through containing structure)
4.) paralytic ileus (motor activity of bowel impaired- not a physical block)
Vomiting ?
forceful emptying of the stomach by gastrointestinal contraction and with the exception of projectile vomiting, which is directly associated with vomiting centre in the brain.
Diarrhoea ?
can be caused by excessive fluid drawn into the intestinal lumen by osmosis (osmotic diarrhoea), excessive secretion of fluids by intestinal mucosa (secretory diarrhoea) or gastrointestinal motility.
Is a particular concern for young children, who are susceptible to changes in fluid balance. Severe dehydration from diarrhoea can be fatal. (childhood diarrhoea caused by rotavirus)
Gastrointestinal bleeding ?
Manifestations include
1.) haematemesis (vomiting of blood)
2.) melaena (dark, tarry stools)
3.) maematochezia (frank bleeding from the rectum)
Occult bleeding can be detected only by testing stools or vomitus for the presence of blood.
Abdominal distension ?
accompanies bowel hypermotility (high activity) and the accumulation of fluids in the peritoneal cavity. it may indicate underlying bowel disease.
Diverticula Disease ?
- Outpouchings of colonic mucosa through the muscle layers of the colon wall
- Related to diets high in refined foods and a lack of fibre in a patient
- Defined as the inflammation of one or more diverticula. pathogenesis is unclear.
Normal assessment for suspected diverticulitis ?
history, physical examination and investigation for inflammatory disease (fever, nausea, vomiting, pain and haemorrhagic disease)`
