Common GI Tract Symptoms

Common GIT Symptoms

• Gastrointestinal (GI) tract is divided into upper, middle and lower sections.
• The GI tract also includes the liver and biliary tract and the pancreas.
• Stomatitis is inflammation of the mouth cavity.
  • Predisposing factors include lack of oral hygiene and immunocompromised status.
  • Types include ulcerative stomatitis (bad mouth odor, ulcers on gum, palate, lips, and inner aspects of cheeks), viral stomatitis, stomatitis due to nutritional deficiency (e.g., cheilitis), and candidiasis (moniliasis).
    • Cheilitis is painful vertical fissures mainly of the lower lip caused by malnutrition.
    • Candidiasis presents as white patches on the tongue and buccal mucosa, and severe infection affects the pharynx and esophagus, causing dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
• Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue.
  • It can be a sign of nutritional deficiency.
  • A red, smooth, sore tongue can be associated with deficiencies in B12, folate, and iron.
• Black hairy tongue is caused by the proliferation of chromogenic microorganisms, leading to brown staining of elongated filiform papillae.
• Leukoplakia is a chronic, white, firm, and smooth patch lesion, frequently starting on the side of the tongue.
  • Initially painless, but later becomes tender.
• Ptyalism (Excessive salivation):
  • Psychogenic, prior to vomiting, secondary to oral pathology (e.g., stomatitis).
• Xerostomia (Dryness of the mouth):
  • Dehydration, Psychogenic, Sjogren's syndrome, radiotherapy, and drugs (anticholinergics and antihistamines).
• Sialadenitis (inflammation of salivary glands): acute sialadenitis can be due to mumps or bacteria.
• Dysphagia: difficulty swallowing.
• Odynophagia: painful swallowing.
• Anorexia and Weight Loss:
  • Causes: Diabetes Mellitus type 1, Hyperthyroidism, Malabsorption, and severe burns.
• Epigastric pain is localized in the upper abdomen.
  • Gastro-intestinal causes:
    • Esophageal spasm, GORD & Oesophagitis, hiatus hernia, gastritis, and peptic ulcer.
• Acid Reflux is the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, causing symptoms and potential complications.
• Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest.
• Water brash is excessive accumulation of saliva from the lower esophagus, and some acid material from the stomach.
• Globus (Globus Hystericus): persistent or intermittent sensation of a lump or foreign body in the throat, specifically occurring between meals.
• Intestinal Tuberculosis, Intestinal Obstruction, and drugs (domperidon or metoclopramide) are intestinal issues.
• Gall bladder issues: Cholecystitis and Gall stones.
• Pancreatic issues: Carcinoma and Acute pancreatitis.
• Bloating is a sense of fullness in the upper abdomen, potentially related to gas and food accumulation in the stomach.
• Flatulence refers to passage of rectal gas.
• Vomiting (emesis) is the involuntary forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth and sometimes the nose.
• Nausea is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit.
• Hematemesis is blood in vomit, with causes such as esophageal varices, acute gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer.
• Melena is digested blood passed in stool.
• Dyspepsia is upper abdominal pain or discomfort related to meals.
  • Symptoms can include fullness, early satiety, burning, bloating, nausea and vomiting.
• Tenesmus is a disease characterized by painful straining during defecation, a sense of incomplete rectal evacuation, and a constant desire to defecate after defecation.
• Diarrhea: Change in normal bowel habits, increase in frequency and amount, and fluid consistency.
  • Chronic diarrhea persists for over four weeks.
• Dysentery is frequent watery stools with blood and mucus, sometimes with tenesmus.
• Hematochezia is fresh bleeding per rectum.
• Constipation: infrequent stools (<3/week), hard stools, incomplete evacuation, and straining during defecation (>1/4 times of defecation).
• Liver and Biliary Tract issues:
  • Jaundice: yellow discoloration of skin and mucous membranes due to increased serum bilirubin.
  • Itching.
  • Anorexia, Nausea, Vomiting.
  • Pain.
  • Fever.
  • Bleeding manifestations.
  • Fluid distension.
  • Altered sensorium.
  • Lump in the abdomen.
  • Breast Enlargement.
  • Parotid Enlargement.
  • Spider Angiomata.
  • Dupuytren's Contracture
• Icterus is another term for jaundice.
• Bilirubinuria is high-colored urine.
• Pruritus is itching.
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage.
• Ecchymoses.
• Ascites and Malnutrition.
• Gynecomastia is breast enlargement

This quiz focuses on common symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract, including conditions such as stomatitis and glossitis. It also explores the causes and characteristics of these conditions, emphasizing the links to nutritional deficiencies and hygiene. Test your knowledge on the GI tract and its associated disorders.