GI Disorders - Inflammatory Bowel Disease Flashcards
What is IBD?
Inflammation of small and large intestines
What are 2 chronic conditions?
- Crohn Disease
2. Ulcerative Colitis
Etiology (both)
- genetic predisposition: loss of immune tolerance for normal gut flora –> a form of autoimmunity (not classic autoimmunity)
- environmental trigger: eg bacteria
- intolerance to normal gut flora: Immune system is targeting bacteria that is attached to gut wall triggering inflm and causing damage
Crohn Disease appearance and location
- discontinuous skip lesions
- small and large intestines
Ulcerative Colitis lesion appearance and location
- continuous lesions
- terminal part of large intestines
Characteristics of Crohn Disease
Type of Inflm: granulomatous
Lvl of Involvement: Primarily submucosal
Areas of Involvement: Primarily ileum and secondary colon
Extent of Involvement: skip lesions
Diarrhea: common Rectal bleed: rare Fistulas: common Strictures: common Perianal Abscess: common Dev.of CA: uncommon
Characteristics of Ulcerative Colitis
Type of Inflm: ulcerative and exudative
Lvl of Involvement: Primarily mucosal
Areas of Involvement: Primarily rectum and left colon
Extent of involvement: continuous
Diarrhea: common Rectal bleed: common Fistulas: rare Strictures: rare Perianal Abscess: rare Dev.of CA: relatively common
What is Crohn Disease?
Granulomatous, inflammatory discontinuous skip lesions usually impacting submucosa of the terminal ileum (other regions may be affected as well).
What does granulomatous mean?
Small area of inflammation giving a cobblestone/bumpy appearance. OR bumps of scar tissues
Is Crohn Disease gradual or sudden?
Gradual progression
Manifestations of Crohn’s Disease (4)
- intermittent abdominal pain
- diarrhea (chronic and persistent)
- fluid electrolyte imbalance (d/t diarrhea)
- weight loss (d/t decrease in absorptive surfaces in sm intestine)
Why do people with Crohn Disease experience weight loss?
There is a decrease in absorptive surfaces mostly in small intestines that causes nutritional deficiency
Complications of Crohn Disease
- Fistulas = an artificial connection between two organs or structures in the gut which content can spill into
- Abscess = collection of exudate and inflammatory cells (may req drainage)
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative, inflamed continuous lesions found mostly in the mucosa of the colon and rectum.
How does Ulcerative Colitis spread?
Progresses proximally from the rectum in an ascending order to the colon and sigmoid colon.
