GI tract quiz 3

What are the key signs of GERD?

Heartburn, regurgitation, chest discomfort, worse after meals or lying down.

What is the basic etiology? GERD

Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation → acid reflux into esophagus.

What are the dietary recommendations? GERD

Avoid trigger foods (fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, spicy foods); small meals; avoid lying down after eating.

What are the key signs of IBS?

Abdominal pain + altered bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, or mixed).

What is the basic etiology? IBS

Functional GI disorder; abnormal gut motility and visceral hypersensitivity.

What are the dietary recommendations? IBS

Low‑FODMAP diet; adequate fiber for IBS‑C; avoid triggers; stress management.

What are the key signs? Colorectal Cancer

Changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, weight loss, anemia.

What is the basic etiology? Colorectal Cancer

Uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in colon/rectum; linked to diet, genetics, inflammation.

What are the dietary recommendations? Colorectal Cancer

High fiber, fruits/vegetables, calcium, vitamin D; limit red/processed meats.

What are the key signs? Stomach Ulcers

Epigastric pain, nausea, bloating; pain relieved or worsened by eating.

What is the basic etiology? Stomach Ulcers

H. pylori infection or chronic NSAID use → mucosal erosion.

What are the dietary recommendations? Stomach Ulcers

Avoid irritants (alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods); small meals; treat H. pylori if present.

What are the key signs? Celiac Disease

Diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, malabsorption, dermatitis herpetiformis.

What is the basic etiology? Celiac Disease

Autoimmune reaction to gluten → villous atrophy in small intestine.

What are the dietary recommendations? Celiac Disease

Strict lifelong gluten‑free diet (no wheat, barley, rye).

What are the key signs? Pancreatic Insufficiency

Steatorrhea, weight loss, fat‑soluble vitamin deficiencies.

What is the basic etiology? Pancreatic Insufficiency

Inadequate pancreatic enzyme secretion → malabsorption (especially fats).

What are the dietary recommendations? Pancreatic Insufficiency

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT); high‑calorie diet; supplement fat‑soluble vitamins.

What are the key signs? Crohn’s Disease

Chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia; flares and remissions.

What is the basic etiology? Crohn’s Disease

Chronic inflammation of GI tract — Crohn’s (anywhere, transmural) vs. Ulcerative colitis (colon only, mucosal).

What are the dietary recommendations? Crohn’s Disease

During flares: low‑fiber, low‑residue diet; ensure adequate calories; monitor B12 and iron.

Diverticulosis symptoms

Bleeding, Cramping/pain after

meals, Constipation

Causes of diverticulosis

– Pouches along colon (LI)

– Increased age and high

red meat intake

– High-fat/low-fiber diet

Symptoms of GERD

– Heart Burn

– Pain in swallowing, esp. high

acid foods

Causes of GERD

Loose lower esophageal

sphincter

– Stomach content in

esophagus

• Why is this a problem?

Causes of IBS

Poorly understood

– Stress/certain foods

aggravate symptoms

– Suspect FODMAP and

sugar alcohols

Causes of Colorectal Cancer

High meat/fat low fruit/veg

– Overweight/obesity increase risk

Causes of Stomach Ulcers

Not stress or diet

– Bacterial cause (Heliobacter Pylori)

– Overuse of aspirin, ibuprophen, etc

Stomach Ulcers relief

– Coarse of antibiotics

– Very different from treatment in the 50s

Causes of Celiac Disease/Sprue

Autoimmune disorder of the small

intestine

– Intolerance to wheat gluten, a protein

– Intestinal microvilli are damaged; poor

absorption of most nutrients

Causes of Pancreatic Insufficiency

Alcoholism leading to infection of the

pancreas

• Pancreas is not producing lipases,

proteases and bicarbonate

Pancreatic cancer

• Tumor blocks movement of fluids into small

intestine

Symptoms of Pancreatic Insufficiency

Abdominal pain, nausea vomiting

• Severe enough to go to the hospital

Relief for Pancreatic Insufficiency

Relief (pancreatitis)

– Acute (short-term) Pancreatitis

• Mild: hospital stay, IV fluids no food for 5-7

days

– Feed based on symptoms

• Moderate to Severe

– Remove stomach contents with nasal tube

– Tube feeding

• Chronic

– Feed formulas made of pre-digested

nutrients

– Pancreatic enzyme replacement

– Pain management