Untitled Quiz

Course Information

• Course title: HSS3305 Pathophysiology of Health Problems
• Credits: 3
• Professor: Dr. Karen Phillips
• University: University of Ottawa

Digestive System Conditions

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
  • Chronic symptoms or mucosal damage caused by abnormal reflux in the esophagus.
  • Transient or permanent changes in the esophageal sphincter between the esophagus and stomach.
• Gastritis:
  • Multiple causes, including alcohol and H. pylori.
  • Injury to the gastric mucosa.
  • Associated with epithelial damage/regeneration.
  • Inflammation associated with mucosal injury.
  • Symptoms include indigestion, heartburn, abdominal pain, hiccups, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting (possible blood or coffee-ground material), and dark stools.
• Chronic Gastritis and Gastric Cancer Risk:
  • Non-H. pylori infection: 0% annual gastric cancer incidence.
  • Established H. pylori infection: approximately 0.1% annual gastric cancer incidence
  • Extensive CAG (chronic atrophic gastritis): approximately 0.25% annual gastric cancer incidence.
  • Metaplastic gastritis: approximately 1% annual gastric cancer incidence.
  • Prevention of gastric cancer is possible through H. pylori eradication and dietary habits. NSAIDS can potentially be a factor.
• Peptic Ulcers:
  • Ulcer in a region of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and extremely painful.
  • Approximately 80% of ulcers are associated with Helicobacter pylori.
  • Caused by hyperacidity and excessive pepsin activity,
• Foodborne Illnesses:
  • Often caused by bacteria or parasites in food or water.
  • Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea/vomiting, and gastroenteritis.
• Constipation:
  • Generally described as having fewer than three bowel movements a week.
  • Could be extremely painful.
  • Causes include blockages in the colon or rectum, bowel obstruction, colon or rectal cancer, problems with the nerves around the colon (e.g., multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease), spinal cord injury, difficulty with elimination muscles, conditions affecting hormones (e.g., diabetes, pregnancy), and older age.
  • Risks include older age, dehydration, diet low in fiber, lack of physical activity, and certain medications.
• Bowel Obstruction:
  • Occurs when the small or large intestine is partly or completely blocked.
  • Blockage prevents normal movement of food, fluids, and gas through the intestines.
  • Severe cases are medical emergencies, with risks of sepsis and potentially requiring surgery.
  • Can cause significant pain that comes and goes.
• Diarrhea:
  • Stool has too much water to reabsorb.
  • Causes can range from viral or bacterial infections to food intolerances, medications, and other gut diseases.
• Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerances:
  • True food allergies are uncommon (1% of adults, 5% of children)
  • Adverse reaction to food triggered by the immune system
  • Signs and symptoms include those that develop soon after eating a food within an hour (e.g., itching/wheezing/nasal congestion, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness).
• Microbiome Disorders
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):
    • Inflammatory condition of the colon and small intestine with major types, including Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
  • Crohn's disease:
    • Inflammatory bowel disease that can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract.
    • Characterized by pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and associated problems such as rashes and arthritis.
    • Causes include autoimmune response, genetics (CARD15 gene, XBP1 gene), and environmental factors (smoking, microbial biofilm).
  • Ulcerative Colitis:
    • Inflammation of the colon that develops into ulcerations.
    • Characterized by constant diarrhea and bloody stools.
    • Causes include genetics (twin studies, family history), autoimmune factors, and environmental factors such as diet low in fiber.
  • IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome):
    • Affects the large intestine.
    • Symptoms include intermittent cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation.
    • Most people with IBS control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle, and stress.
    • Doesn't cause permanent tissue changes or increase the risk of colon cancer.
• Coeliac/Celiac Disease:
  • Weight loss, pale stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea
  • Impacts nutrient absorption (vitamins A, D, E, and K).
  • Anemia could be a result of problems with blood clotting related to impaired absorption of vitamin K.
  • Pathology of the small intestine.
  • Cause autoimmune issues
  • Genetically caused by HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8.
  • Sensitivity to gliadin (gluten protein) which triggers inflammation, atrophy of the intestines.
• Cholera:
  • Infection of the small intestine.
  • Caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
  • Toxin released by the bacteria causes increased secretion of water and chloride ions in the intestine, leading to massive diarrhea.
  • Death can result from severe dehydration from chronic diarrhea.
• Botulism:
  • Caused by Clostridium botulinum (gram-positive bacteria).
  • Usually traced to eating improperly prepared foods.
  • Botulism is a toxin-based poisoning rather than a bacterial infection.
  • Produces a potent neuroparalytic toxin.
  • Symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness.
  • Botulinum toxin blocks neurotransmitter release at peripheral cholinergic nerve terminals.
  • Botulinum toxin is used in small doses as Botox to treat muscle spasms,