Lower GI Flashcards
(146 cards)
define the lower GI tract
the portion of the ailmentary canal including the jejunem and ileum of the small intestine as well as the large intestine
in ml what is the normal daily volume of gas?
around 200 ml
what is gas/ flatulence derived from?
swallowed air
bacterial fermentation in the intestinal tract
name the intestinal gases
CO2, O2, N2, H2, and sometimes CH4
amount of air consumed increases with…
- eating or drinking too fast
- smoking
- chewing gum
- sucking on hard candy
- using a straw
- drinking carbonated drinks
- wearing loose-fitting dentures
what factors alter the symptoms of intestinal gas?
- decreased motility
- aerophagia (swallowed air)
- dietary components
- certain GI disorders
normally the _ _ has fewer bacteria than the colon
small intestine
why might someone have the inability to move normal amounts of gas?
inactivity
constipation
intestinal dysmotility
partial bowel obstruction
MNT for gas and flatulence
recommend a food diary to track habits and symptoms to help identify the specific foods causing gas.
ask the client if they are chewing their food well
ask the clients if they are eating slowly
ask the client if they are eating large amounts of raw foods
ask the client if they are eating in stressful environments
what foods increase gas production?
beans
veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, onions, mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus)
fruits (apples pears, peaches)
sodas; drinks with HFCS; fruit drinks especially apple and pear juice
milk and ilk products
packaged foods containing small amounts of lactose
sugar-free candies and gums containing sugar alcohol
what demographic has a higher prevalence of constipation?
- adult females
- older age
- high BMI
- low socioeconomic status
define constipation
Defined as difficulty with defecation characterized by abnormal frequency or dyschezia (painful/ hard/ incomplete evacuation)
normal bowel movement frequency ranges from _ x/day to _ x/week
3, 3
stool weight as little as _g daily is considered normal in healthy children and adults
200g
causes of constipation
inadequate fibre intake (primary cause)
physical inactivity
postponing defacation
colonic inertia
most neurologic diseases
IBS
narcotic use
what are the 2 types of constipation? explain them
- Normal transit constipation (AKA functional constipation) (most common)
- Passes through the colon at a rate of ~5 days (i.e., often in the normal range)
- Pts report hard stools and/or perceived difficulty with defecation
. May experience bloating and abdominal pain
- Typically responds to dietary fibre alone or with addition of an osmotic agent (e.g., lactulose), or - Slow transit constipation
- infrequent BMs (<1/wk)
- Frequently, do not feel the urge to defecate
- May c/o bloating & abdominal discomfort
- Slowing of movement through the intestine results in ↓ water content in stool
- Most common tx is an aggressive laxative regime
- Select pts (w/ severe slow transit constipation) may respond well to surgical procedures such as subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastamosis
Rome III Diagnostic Criteria for Functional Constipation
Symptom onset @ least 6-months pre-diagnosis
Symptoms for the last 3 months
1. Must include >2 of (for >25% of defecations)
a. straining
b. Lumpy or hard stools (Bristol stool scale 1 or 2)
c. Sensation of incomplete evacuation
d. Sensation of anorectal obstruction/blockage
e. Manual maneuvers (i.e., digital evacuation, support of the pelvic floor)
f. AND <3 defecations/wk
2. Loose stools rarely present without use of laxatives
3. Insufficient criteria for IBS
anorectal dysfunction results from
- Pelvic floor muscle laxity
- Impaired rectal sensation
- ↓ luminal pressure in the anal canal
secondary constipation common causes and other indicators
Lack of dietary fibre
Inactivity
Low fibre intake
medications
Lifestyle
mechanical blockages (e.g., from adhesions or strictures)
Psychogenic factors (e.g., depression, eating disorder, dementia)
what is neurogenic bowel
bowel dysfunction caused by nerve malfunction after spinal cord injury or nerve disease
two main types:
Reflex (spastic) bowel
Flaccid bowel (not contracting at all)
1st approach to treat mild, functional constipation is to ensure
Adequate dietary fibre
Adequate fluid intake
Exercise
heeding the urge to defecate
what are stool softeners?
Anionic surfactants with an emulsifying property that ↑ water content in stool to make BMs easier to pass
what are osmotic agents
Contain poorly absorbed or nonabsorbable sugars; work by pulling fluid into the intestinal lumen
what are stimulant laxatives
- ↑ peristaltic contraction and bowel motility
- Act to prevent water absorption