Gastrointestinal Flashcards
(152 cards)
GERD
GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
chronic condition where stomach contents flows back up into the esophagus which is mainly due to a damaged/weak lower esophageal sphincter.
GERD is sometimes referred to as “acid reflux disease” or “heart burn”
Some people have random episodes of acid reflux and it goes away,
but GERD is when it occurs more than twice a week for a long period of time.
Limit caffeine, alcohol
Use Tums
Use Antiaccids to nutrualize acid production and keep it form moving up towards esophagus
Why is GERD happening?
Why is GERD happening?
the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is not staying closed
This allows backwash of stomach contents and acids into the esophagus
leads to major irritation to the esophagus.
Complications of GERD
Inflammation of the esophagus (increased risk of cancer from the chronic inflammation)
Narrowing of the esophagus: strictures
Lung problems: asthma, pneumonia, voice changes, wheezing, fluid in the lungs
Barrett’s esophagus: lining of the esophagus is replaced with similar lining that makes up the intestinal lining…increase risk of cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of GERD
Note: not all people with GERD will have heartburn
You will have…
Gastric pain (upper)
Excess regurgitation of food… bitter taste in the back of the throat
Regular, occurring burning sensation in the chest or abdomen (it can be so intense it feels similar to a MI)
Dry cough (frequent)…worst at night
Nausea
Problems Swallowing…feels like a lump is in the throat
Lung Infections
Diagnosis off GERD
Endoscopy: used to assess the esophagus for changes…erosions, strictures etc.
Treatment GERD
Eat small meals rather than large ones (prevents over eating)
Avoid foods that relax the LES: greasy, fatty, ETOH, soft drinks,coffee, peppermint/spearmint
Avoid eating right before bed (last meal should be 3 hours before bed)
Sit up after eating for at least 1 hour
Weight loss
Smoking cessation
Watch acidic foods: citrus and tomatoes
Medications for GERD
Antacids, H2 blockers, PPIs, prokinetics
Gastritis
Too much acid production inside your stomach
Causes Inflammation of the lining of your stomach itself
can lead to peptic ulcer
GI Bleed
Gastrointestinal bleeding is a condition that involves bleeding in one or many parts of the digestive tract
Not a disorder in itself but a symptom of many GI disorders including peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease and gastric cancer
Usually suspected when there is blood in the stool, could be mild, moderate or severe and could be fatal
Signs and Symptoms GI bleed
visible blood in the stool or black tarry-coloured stool
Rectal bleeding
Hematemesis (vomiting blood)
Fainting
Lightheadedness
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
Chest pain
Upper GI bleed causes
Peptic ulcers in the stomach lining and small intestine
Lower GI Bleed causes
Diverticulitis: the formation, inflammation and infection bulging pouches in the GI tract
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
Benign or cancerous tumours
Hemorrhoids
Anal fissures
Colon polyp formation
GI bleed complications
Anemia and Hypovolemia
GI bleeding can lead to the loss of blood volume (hypovolemia) and loss of red blood cells which contain hemoglobin and iron (anemia)
If left untreated anemia and hypovolemia can be fatal
Shock: losing more than 20% of blood volume can lead to hypovolemic shock and can lead to significant organ failure
Diagnosis of GI bleed
Stool test: looking for black tarry stool for occult blood
Blood tests: may reveal low hemoglobin/hemocritt or low iron levels
Nasogastric lavage: insertion of NG tube from nose into stomach in order too aspirate stomach contents and analyze them
Imaging: abdominal CT scan
Endoscopy/colonoscopy
GI bleed treatment
Dr may be able to remove the polyps that causes the bleeding during colonoscopy
Can also treat bleeding peptic ulcers during endoscopy
IV fluids (hypovolemia)
Blood transfusion: replace the loose blood volume and red blood cells
Medications for GI bleed
Medications: Upper GI bleed can benefit from PPI medications, antacids that do not contain aspirin, H2-receptors
Upper Vs Lower GI bleed
Upper: irritation and ulcers in the lining of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum causes vomiting BRB, coffee ground emesis, dark tary tools
Lower: Bleeding from large intestine (colon) and rectum
Bleeding consists of streaks or larger clots mixed with stools
Three Types of Peptic Ulcers:
Gastric Ulcers: located inside the stomach
Duodenum Ulcer: located inside the duodenum which is the first part of the small intestine
Esophageal Ulcer: located inside the lower part of the esophagus
Complications of Peptic Ulcers
GI bleeding
formation of holes in the stomach =perforation and this can lead to peritonitis
bowel blockage in the pylorus due to chronic ulceration from a duodenal ulcer
increased risk of GI cancer
Duodenal Ulcers Signs and Symptoms
Duodenal Ulcers
Pain happens when stomach empty…food makes it BETTER (pain 3-4 hours after eating)
Wake in middle of night with pain
Report of pain gnawing
Weight normal
Severe: tarry, dark stool from GI bleeding
Causes off peptic ulcer disease
*Bacterial infection due to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori):
These bacteria are spiral-shaped which helps them invade the GI mucosa.
*NSAIDs (long term usage):
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: tumor formation that causes increased release of gastrin which increases stomach acid production.
Other factors that can increase susceptibility: smoking, alcohol, genetics, NOTE: stress and certain foods do not causes ulcers but can irritate them and prolong their healing.
Gastric Ulcers Signs and Symptoms
Mainly: Indigestion and Epigastric pain….described as burning, dull, or gnawing pain
Food makes pain worst (pain 1-2 hours after eating)
Report of pain dull and aching
Weight loss
Severe: vomit blood more common
Treatment Peptic Ulcer Disease
Medications: proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics, Histamine receptor blockers, antacids, bismuth subsalicylates
Surgery:
Vagotomy
Pyloroplasty
Gastric resection
Watch for dumping syndrome post-opt:
Dumping syndrome: stomach is not able to regulate the movement of food due to the removal of sections of the stomach (usually the pyloric valve and duodenum) so it enters into the small intestine too fast before the stomach can finish digesting it.
Dumping Syndrome
Dumping syndrome: stomach is not able to regulate the movement of food due to the removal of sections of the stomach (usually the pyloric valve and duodenum) so it enters into the small intestine too fast before the stomach can finish digesting it.