Chapter 6 Digestive System: Disease and Conditions

asymptomatic

no symptoms of disease

gastroenterology

branch of medicine concerned with digestive diseases

gastroenterologist

specialist in diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

ulcer of digestive system, develop in stomach and duodenum

esophageal, gastric, duodenal

three types of ulcers, named by location

helicobacter pylori bacteria

common cause of peptic ulcer disease

peritonitis

inflammation of pertoneum

perforation

hole

hernia

protrusion of any organ, tissue or organ through the wall of the cavity it is normally contained

inguinal hernia

develops in groin where abdominal folds of flesh meet thighs

strangulated hernia

occurs when blood supply to the hernia is cut off because of pressure, leads to necrosis with gangrene

umbilical hernia

the protrusion of part of the intestine at the navel

congenital hernia

hernia in newborn infants

hernioplasty

surgical repair of hernia

herniorrhaphy

suture of abdominal wall

diaphragmatic hernia

congenital disorder, hernia of diaphragm

hiatal hernia

hernia of lower esophagus and top of stomach slide through opening in diaphragm and into thorax

hiatus

opening in diaphragm into the thorax

gastroesophageal reflux disease

stomach contacts flow back up into the esophagus, causes heartburn, chest pain, swallowing difficulty

hepatitis

inflammatory condition of the liver; easily transmissable

hepatitis a

infectious hepatitis, caused by ingestion of contaminated food water or milk

hepatitis b

serum hepatitis, transmissible via blood and sexual contact

hepatitis c

asymptomatic for years, no medication, transmissible via blood

diverticulosis

inflammation of small blisterlike pockets develop in the inner lining of large intestine

diverticula

blisterlike pockets develop in inner lining of the colon

obstipation

extreme constipation

gastric adenocarcinoma

stomach cancer originating from epithelial or mucosal lining of the stomach in the form of a glandular tumor

esophageal, hepatocellular, pancreatic

types of carcinomas

colorectal cancer

common intestinal cancer, can occur anywhere in the colon

anorexia

lack or loss of appetite, resulting in the inability to eat

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix, usually caused by obstruction or infection

ascites

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, usually as a result of chronic liver disease, a neoplasm or inflammatory disorder in the abdomen

borborygmus

rumbling or gurgling noises audible at a distance, caused by the passage of gas through the liquid contents of the intestine

cachexia

physical wasting that includes loss of weight and muscle mass, commonly associated with immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cancer; wasting syndrome

cholelithiasis

presence or formation of gallstones in the gallbladder

cirrhosis

scarring and dysfunction of the liver, caused by chronic liver disease

Crohn disease

form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), usually of the ilium but possible affecting any portion of the intestinal tract; also called regional enteritis

dysentery

inflammation of colon, caused by ingesting water or food containing chemical irritants, bacteria, protozoa or parasites; results in bloody diarrhea

flatus

gas in the GI tract; fart

halitosis

bad breath

hematemesis

vomiting of blood from bleeding in the stomach or esophagus

hemorrhoids

swollen varicose veins in anorectal region, external or internal

intestinal obstruction

mechanical or functional blockage of the intestines that occurs when the contents of the intestine cannot move forward through the intestinal tract because of partial or complete blockage of the bowel

irritable bowel syndrome

abdominal pain and altered bowel function for which no organic cause can be determined; spastic colon

malabsorption syndrome

symptom complex of the small intestine characterized by the impaired passage of nutrients, minerals, or fluids through intestinal villi into the blood or lymph

melena

dark, tarlike feces that contain digested blood from bleeding in the esophagus or stomach

obesity

excessive accumulation of fat, exceeds body’s skeletal and physical standards; increase of 20% or more above ideal body weight

morbid obesity

obesity in which BMI is greater than 40, and generally 100 lbs or more over ideal body weight

oral leukoplakia

formation of white spots or patches on mucous membrane of tongue, lips or cheek, caused by irritation; precancerous condition

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

pyloric stenosis

stricture or narrowing of the pyloric sphincter at the outlet of the stomach, causing an obstruction that blocks the flow of food into the small intestine

regurgitation

backward flow, return of solids or fluids to the mouth from the stomach

ulcerative colitis

chronic inflammatory disease of the colon, commonly beginning in the rectum or sigmoid colon and extending upward into the entire colon