GIT disorders Flashcards
(12 cards)
major category of GIT disorder
1) functional disorder
dysfunctional but looks normal
2) structural disorder
structurally abnormal and dysfunctional
common signs & symptoms of GIT disorder
- bloody stool
- abnormal/unusual bowel habits
- unusual lower abdominal pain
- unexplained weight loss
- heartburn
- fatigue
primary causes for functional disorder
- eating too much diary products
- not exercising enough
- lack of fibers in diet
- stress-induced
- consistent of defecation reflex, delaying bowel movement
- pregnancy
- change in bowel movement habits due to travelling
- aging
examples of functional disorders and structural disorders
functional disorders
- gastroesophageal reflux disorder (gastritis)
- peptic ulcer
- constipation
- irritable bowel syndrome
structural disorder
- hemorrhoids
- colon polyp (colorectal cancer)
- diverticulosis
- liver disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (gastritis)
- burning sensation in the chest
- occurs as a result of acidic gastric content reflux, causes inflammation and damages mucosal lining of the esophagus
- this could be due to the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that causes the retrograde movement
- this could also be due to overeating, eating too much fatty foods, coffee and alcohol and lying down after eating
peptic ulcer (gastric ulcer + duodenal ulcer)
gastric ulcer
causes: helicobacter pylori infection, NSAIDS and alcohol
duodenal ulcer
causes: excess secretion of gastric acid, stress induced leading to increase in acid secretion that the intestinal juices are unable to neutralise
constipation
occurs as a result of
- constant inhibition of defecation reflex and inhibiting bowel movement
- not exercising enough
- not enough fiber in diet
treatment: increase dietary fiber, exercise regularly, take laxatives
irritable bowel syndrome (bloating, intestinal gas)
occurs because
- eating too much foods containing carbohydrates, dairy products > presence of undigested carbohydrates in colon causes water to enter into the colon resulting in watery stool (diarrhea), intestinal gas because of fermentation of colon microflora with undigested carbohydrates
treatment: avoid caffeine, alcohol, increase dietary fiber, minimizing stress
hemorrhoids
presence of bloody stool occurs as a result of expansion/ swelling of the blood vessels at the anal canal
this is because of chronic over exertion of pressure to stimulate bowel movement, persistent diarrhea, pregnancy
treatment: surgery, improving bowel habits
colon polyp (colorectal cancer)
growth of masses of tissues in the large intestine, surgery to remove the polyps before it progresses to become colorectal cancer
- early stage of colorectal cancer has no symptoms
otherwise it would have resulted in
- bloody stool
- unexplained weight loss
- change in bowel habits
- unusual abdominal pain
- fatigue
- unusual abdominal gas
diverticulosis
occurs as a result of small out-pouching of the large intestine
causes: high pressure at the weaken area
which can lead to obstruction, infection, bleeding
treatment: antibiotics, increase fluid
liver disease
occurs as a result of over consumption of fatty foods that clogs up the liver
stages:
Fatty liver, still reversible < Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) < fibrosis (scar tissue formation) < shrinking of the liver (cirrhosis) < cancer
