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Questions and Answers
What diagnostic test is commonly used in the upper GI tract?
What diagnostic test is commonly used in the upper GI tract?
Fiberoptic endoscopy
What is a common therapy for digestive system disorders to relieve vomiting?
What is a common therapy for digestive system disorders to relieve vomiting?
Stress can improve immune function and tissue healing.
Stress can improve immune function and tissue healing.
False
______ may be used during diagnostic procedures like colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.
______ may be used during diagnostic procedures like colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.
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What is the definition of anorexia?
What is the definition of anorexia?
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Which symptom is described as 'Unusually frequent passage of loose or watery faeces'?
Which symptom is described as 'Unusually frequent passage of loose or watery faeces'?
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the large intestine.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the large intestine.
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_______ is a feeling of sickness that usually precedes vomiting.
_______ is a feeling of sickness that usually precedes vomiting.
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What are some possible causes of gastrointestinal bleeding?
What are some possible causes of gastrointestinal bleeding?
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What are some examples of infectious causes of enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)?
What are some examples of infectious causes of enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)?
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Jaundice can be caused by drug-induced liver damage.
Jaundice can be caused by drug-induced liver damage.
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Steatorrhea is also known as '_____ diarrhea'.
Steatorrhea is also known as '_____ diarrhea'.
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Match the following common types of diarrhea with their descriptions:
Match the following common types of diarrhea with their descriptions:
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Study Notes
Here are the study notes for the text:
Digestive System and Diseases
- The digestive system consists of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
- Digestive disease is an umbrella term for health issues in any of these organs.
Signs and Symptoms of Digestive Diseases
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
- Enlargement of the spleen
- Enlargement of the liver
- Jaundice
Common Digestive Diseases
- Acid Reflux (GERD)
- Symptoms: bloating, excessive gas, alternating between diarrhea and constipation, mucus in bowel movements
- Gallstones
- Symptoms: dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis, diarrhea, right-side pain
- Peptic Ulcers
- Symptoms: heartburn, stomach pain, blood in bowel movements, vomiting, blood in vomit
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Symptoms: bloating, excessive gas, alternating between diarrhea and constipation, mucus in bowel movements
- Crohn's Disease
- Symptoms: abdominal cramping, immediate need to use the bathroom, frequent diarrhea, fever, blood in stool, weight loss/loss of appetite
- Diverticulitis
- Symptoms: abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, constipation, nausea, and vomiting
Abdominal Pain
- Types: acute and chronic
- Causes: gastro-intestinal infections, urinary tract and reproductive organs infections, kidney stone disease, peritonitis, and other infections
- Characteristics: site of the pain, radiation, character of the pain, exacerbating and relieving factors, associated symptoms
Vomiting
- Definition: the sudden ejection of the matter from the stomach with the active involvement of the contraction of the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles
- Types: nausea, regurgitation, rumination, and vomiting
- Causes: infection, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, acute appendicitis, food allergies and intolerances, enzyme deficiencies, and irritable bowel syndrome
- Medical history: character and circumstances of the occurrence, pathological admixtures, other patient's diseases, taken medication, associated symptoms
Constipation
- Definition: defecating less than 3 times a week or defecating more often, but with straining to go
- Causes: anorectal malformations, congenital defects of the rectum innervation, metabolic disorders, collagenosis, side effects of taken medicines, heavy metal poisoning
Diarrhea
- Definition: change of the texture of the stool to runny or loose and/or increase of the frequency of defecation
- Causes: infection, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, acute appendicitis, food allergies and intolerances, enzyme deficiencies, and irritable bowel syndrome
- Medical history: number and texture of the stools, duration of the symptoms, pathological admixtures, influence of the food on the symptoms, epidemiological inquiry, associated symptoms
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Definition: bleeding from the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract
- Causes: varices, esophagitis and gastritis, Mallory-Weiss tear, ulcers, vascular malformations, inflammatory bowel diseases, anal fissures, colitis, hemorrhoids, and rectal varices
- Medical history: duration of the symptoms, how the stool/vomit looks like, dietary history, taken medication, associated symptoms
Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly)
- Definition: an increase in the size of the spleen
- Causes: infections, hematologic diseases, malignancy, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, storage and metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and circulatory disorders in the portal or the splenic vein
- Medical history: presence of an acute infection, chronic diarrhea, hyperbilirubinemia/jaundice/anaemia in the medical history, epidemiological inquiries, risky sexual behaviour, injuries, co-existing diseases and the history of surgeries, family history
Enlarged Liver (Hepatomegaly)
- Definition: an increase in the size of the liver
- Causes: inflammatory changes, drug-induced liver damage, cancer, storage and metabolic diseases, and congestive changes in the circulation
- Medical history: presence of an acute infection, chronic diarrhea, hyperbilirubinemia/jaundice/anaemia in the medical history, epidemiological inquiries, risky sexual behaviour, injuries, co-existing diseases and the history of surgeries, family history
Jaundice
- Definition: a yellowish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes
- Causes: inflammatory changes, drug-induced liver damage, cancer, storage and metabolic diseases, and congestive changes in the circulation
- Medical history: time of onset and the rate of acceleration, associated symptoms, In infants: mother's blood type, medicines taken during pregnancy, breastfeeding### Abnormalities of Stool and Gas
- Frank blood: red blood in stool, usually from lesions in rectum or anal canal
- Occult blood: small, hidden amounts of blood in stool, detectable with stool test, may be caused by small bleeding ulcers
- Melena: dark-colored, tarry stool, may result from significant bleeding in upper digestive tract
Gas
- Causes:
- Swallowed air, such as from drinking from a straw
- Bacterial action on food
- Foods or alterations in motility
- Effects:
- Eructation
- Borborygmus
- Abdominal distention and pain
- Flatus
Constipation
- Definition: less frequent bowel movements than normal
- Characteristics:
- Small, hard stools
- Acute or chronic problem
- May be caused by decreased peristalsis, leading to increased time for reabsorption of fluid
- Periods of constipation may alternate with periods of diarrhea
- Chronic constipation may cause:
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Diverticulitis
Causes of Constipation
- Weakness of smooth muscle due to age or illness
- Inadequate dietary fiber
- Inadequate fluid intake
- Failure to respond to defecation reflex
- Immobility
- Neurological disorders
- Certain medications (opiates, antacids, iron)
- Obstructions caused by tumors or strictures
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
- Dehydration and hypovolemia are common complications of digestive tract disorders
- Electrolytes lost in vomiting and diarrhea
- Acid-base imbalances:
- Metabolic alkalosis: results from loss of hydrochloric acid with vomiting
- Metabolic acidosis: severe vomiting causes a change to metabolic acidosis due to loss of bicarbonate from duodenal secretions
Pain: Visceral Pain
- Burning sensation: inflammation and ulceration in upper digestive tract
- Dull, aching pain: typical result of stretching of liver capsule
- Cramping or diffuse pain: inflammation, distention, or stretching of intestines
- Colicky, severe pain: recurrent smooth muscle spasms or contraction, often caused by severe inflammation or obstruction
Pain: Somatic Pain
- Somatic pain receptors directly linked to spinal nerves
- May cause reflex spasm of overlying abdominal muscles
- Steady, intense, often well-localized abdominal pain
- Involvement or inflammation of parietal peritoneum
- Rebound tenderness: identified over area of inflammation when pressure is released
Pain: Referred Pain
- Common phenomenon
- Pain is perceived at a site different from the origin
- Results when visceral and somatic nerves converge at one spinal cord level
- May assist or delay diagnosis, depending on the problem
Malnutrition
- May be limited to a specific nutrient or general
- Causes of limited malnutrition:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Causes of generalized malnutrition:
- Chronic anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea
- Chronic inflammatory bowel disorders
- Cancer treatments
- Wasting syndrome
- Lack of available nutrients
Basic Diagnostic Tests
- Radiography: may use contrast medium
- Ultrasound: may show unusual masses
- Computed tomography (CT): may use radioactive tracers, useful for liver and pancreatic abnormalities
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): useful for liver and pancreatic abnormalities
Therapies and Prevention
- Dietary modifications:
- Example: gluten-free diet for celiac disease
- Reduced intake of alcohol and coffee
- Increased fiber and fluid intake
- Stress reduction techniques: stress impairs immune function and tissue healing
- Drugs: various medications are available, including antacids, antiemetics, laxatives or enemas, antidiarrheals, sulfasalazine, clarithromycin or azithromycin, sucralfate, anticholinergic drugs, histamine 2 antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of signs and symptoms in the digestive system, including definitions, descriptions, and common manifestations of digestive system disorders. It's a part of Digestive Semiology I module, suitable for 2nd semester students.
