GI Flashcards
(139 cards)
Candidiasis
Fungal infection caused by candida albicans
Oral Candidiasis
Thrush
What is the causative agent of candidiasis?
Candida albicans
- Often part of the resident flora
- opportunistic organism
Who are Candidiasis found in?
- People receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics
- During and after cancer therapy
- Immunocompromised
- DM
Clinical Manifestations of Candidiasis
- Red swollen areas
- May be irregular patches of white curd like material on tongue
- Soreness
- Problems with swallowing
Treatment of Candidiasis
Oral antifungals
Ex: Nystatin
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
What are the three types of dysphagia?
Oropharyngeal
Esophageal
Functional
Characteristics of esophageal dysphagia
Inability to swallow solid food
- Pain on swallowing
- Highly indicative of carcinoma
Characteristic of functional dysphagia
No organic cause for dysphagia that can be found
What are the two types of causes for dysphagia?
Mechanical
Neuromuscular disorders
Examples of mechanical obstruction (dysphagia)?
-Tumors, masses, trauma, lesions
Examples of Neuromuscular disorders (dysphagia)?
CVA, Parkinson’s brainstem tumors, ALS, MS, peripheral neuropathy, Myasthenia gravis, Myopathies
Signs and Symptoms of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
- difficulty swallowing or controlling food
- coughing, choking
- frequent pneumonia
- unexplained weight loss
- gurgly or wet voice after swallowing
- nasal regurgitation
- dysphagia-patient complains of difficulty swallowing
Signs and Symptoms of Esophageal Dysphagia
- inability to swallow solid food
- described as being stuck or held up
- pain on swallowing is highly indicative of carcinoma
Diagnostic of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
-When asked where the food is stuck, patients usually point to the neck as site of obstruction (but actual site is always at or below where it is perceived)
If undiagnosed or untreated, Dysphagia can lead to
Dehydration, malnutrition and renal failure
What is a dysphagia patient at high risk of?
Pulmonary aspiration
Subsequent aspiration pneumonia (secondary to food/liquid going the wrong way to the lungs)
Treatment for Dysphagia
- Swallowing therapy with exercises and dietary changes
- Thickening liquids or mechanically soft diet
- Surgery or medicine for problems with the esophagus
- Nasogastric or endoscopic tubes are also used to treat dysphagia
GERD
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Chronic reflux of chyme from the stomach to the esophagus
Reflux esophagitis
If GERD causes inflammation of the esophagus, it can lead to Barrett’s esophagus
Barrett’s Esophagitis
Intestinal metaplasia (change of squamous to intestinal columnar epithelium of distal esophagus)
Causes of GERD
Conditions that increase abdominal pressure:
-Ascites
-Constipation
-Pregnancy
-Pancreatitis
Changes in the barrier between the stomach and esophagus
-Abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter
Hiatal Hernias
Clinical Manifestations of GERD
Chronic symptom of mucosal damage caused by stomach acid into esophagus
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation of chyme
- Pain in upper abdominal/epigastric area after eating
- Pain relieved by food or antacids