GI part 2 Flashcards
What are disorders of the large intestine?
- constipation
- diarrhea
- Crohn’s disease
- ulcerative colitits
- large bowel obstruction
- appendicitis
- IBS
- diverticular disease
- volvulus
- hemorrhoids
What are the two sphincters that control defecation?
- internal sphincter; smooth muscle
- external sphincter; striated voluntary muscle
When does the gastrocolic reflex occur?
occurs when food enters the stomach causes movement in the colon
When does the urge to defecate present?
- urge to defecate comes when movement of feces into the sigmoid/rectum
- nerve endings in rectum become stretched which sends a signal to the sacral spinal cord
- signal goes back to the descending & sigmoid, rectum & anus
How can defecation be controlled?
can control the process by contracting the external sphincter, which can prevent defecation
- calms down the sensation until the next round of peristalsis occurs
What kind of defecation is preferred?
much better if it occurs naturally than artifically stimulated
What can pass through the bowel other than feces?
gas
What is gas?
swallowed air which can be 500ml per meal
- bacterial fermentation of food
what is borborygmic sounds?
rushing of fluids & gurgling sounds as gas moves
What is constipation?
infrequent, incomplete, or difficult passage of stool
what is the most common GI complaint?
constipation
What is the diagnosis for chronic constipation based on?
Rome IV criteria (2 needed):
1. fewer than 3 spontaneous BMs per week
2. passage of hard/lumpy stool with > 25% of defecation
3. incomplete evacuation r obstruction >25% of time
4. Manual maneuvers to remove stool >25% of time
what is tx for constipation directed towards?
treatment is directed toward relieving cause
What are the two types of causes of constipation?
- primary (idiopathic)
- secondary
What are secondary causes of constipation?
related to medical conditions, medications, structural abnormalities, lifestyles
- primary disorder of GI motility
- disease processes (diabetes, MS, spinal cord inj, obstruction)
- certain medication
- post surgery
- diet (poor fluid intake)
What are diet concerns for constipation?
high carb/low fiber diet
What is soluble fiber?
attracts water & turns to gel during digestion; slows digestion
What does insoluble fiber do to stool?
adds bulk to the stool & helps food pass fast through the intestines
What are the types of laxatives?
- chemical/stimulant
- bulk forming/stimulants
- osmotic stimulants
- surfactant laxatives
- lubricants
- emollients
- saline cathartics
- GI opioid receptor antagonists
What are contraindications for laxatives?
- severe abd pain
- nausea
- cramps
- appendicitis
- enteritis
- diverticulitis
- ulcerative colitis
- acute surgical abdomen
- fecal impaction
- habitual use (abuse)
How do chemical/ stimulant laxatives work?
- releases prostaglandin & cAMP
- increases smooth muscle contractions & electrolytes which stimulates peristalsis
What do chemical/stimulant laxatives do?
- improve defacation by increasing motility through irritating the mucosa & increasing water in the stool
- increases water in intestines
How often should chemical/stimulant laxatives be used?
should only be used periodically
How long does it take chemical laxatives to work?
- oral (works in 6-12 hrs)
- rectal suppository ( works in 15-20 min)