Hepatitis Overview and Symptoms

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by infections (bacterial, viral, parasitic), alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and contaminated food.
• Common signs include enlarged liver, jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and dark urine.

Gallbladder

• Located between lobes of the liver in the right upper quadrant.
• Functions to store bile; contracts under cholecystokinin to release bile into the small intestine for digesting fats.
• Cholecystitis, the inflammation due to cystic duct blockage by gallstones, presents with recurring colicky pain in the right upper quadrant, possibly referred to the right scapula.

Gallstones

• Formed from solidified bile salts, phospholipids, and cholesterol.

Pancreas

• Situated posterior to the stomach, serving dual functions as an endocrine and exocrine gland.
• Comprises approximately 99% acini cells for exocrine secretion and 1% islets of Langerhans for endocrine functions.
• Acini cells secrete pancreatic lipase (fat breakdown) and pancreatic amylase (carbohydrate breakdown).

Stomach Diseases

• Common diseases include gastritis, stomach ulcers, and stomach cancer.

Gastritis

• Inflammation of the stomach lining caused by infections, medications, alcohol, stress, or spicy foods.
• Symptoms: upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn.

Stomach Ulcers

• Erosions of the stomach lining, potentially leading to bleeding, often caused by Helicobacter pylori, excessive hydrochloric acid, smoking, alcohol, and chronic aspirin use.
• Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, potential weight loss, and vomiting with possible blood (red or coffee grounds appearance).

Stomach Cancer

• Exact causes are unknown, though stomach ulcers may contribute.
• Symptoms: bloating, gas, abdominal pain, cramping, bloody stool, nausea, and vomiting.

Small Intestine

• Muscular tube from the stomach to the large intestine’s cecum, primarily responsible for nutrient absorption.
• Divided into three sections: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
• Contains microvilli for increased absorption surface area, Brunner’s glands for alkaline mucus secretion, and crypts of Licherkühn for digestive enzymes.

Disorders of the Small Intestine

• Crohn’s disease (regional enteritis) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the mucosa, potentially leading to inflammation, ulceration, and intestinal stenosis.
• Symptoms: abdominal pain, cramping, fever, diarrhea, weight loss, and decreased red blood cell production due to malabsorption.
• Crohn's can affect any gastrointestinal area and has unknown causes, with possible familial and autoimmune links.

Large Intestine

• Functions in water, ion, and vitamin absorption and feces formation, expelling waste materials.
• Diseases include appendicitis, colorectal cancer, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, and ulcerative colitis.

Explore the key aspects of hepatitis, a disease affecting the liver. This quiz covers its causes, symptoms, and the impact of various infections and substances on liver health. Test your knowledge about this important medical condition.