Abdominal Conditions 1.0

Where do peptic ulcers commonly occur

Stomach, duodenum, and the lower esophagus

What tissue layer do acute and chronic peptic ulcers penetrate

Muscularis mucosae

Histologically what feature distinguishes chronic peptic ulcers disease

Fibrosis

What are the common symptoms of peptic ulcer disease

Burning stomach px, fullness, bloating, belching, heartburn and nausea

Which groups have a higher incidence of gastric carcinoma

Men and people over 50 yrs

What infection is a major risk factor for gastric carcinoma

H.pylori

What dietary factors increase the risk of gastric carcinoma

High intake of salted, smoked, pickled foods and nitrates

How does early gastric carcinoma commonly present

Usually asymptomatic

What are common symptoms of gastric carcinoma

Weight loss, anorexia, nausea, anemia from bleeding

What is coeliac

An inflammatory disorder of the small inestine triggered by gluten

How does unmanged coeliac disease cause malabsorption

Damage to intestinal villi reduces nutrient absorption

How can coeliac disease present in infants

Diarrhoea, malabsoprtion and failure to thrive

How can coeliac disease present in older children

Delayed growth, malnutrition and abdominal distension

What are common adult presentations of coeliac disease

Variable Sx, malabsoprtion fatigue, weight loss, folate deficiency and dyspepsia

What conditions are associated with coeliac diseae

Autoimmune conditions - type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease

What is assesed in a duodenal biopsy for coeliec disease

Damage to intestinal villi

What causes pain in IBS

Inflammation activates visceral sensory nerves and can cause peripheral and central sensitisation

What are the two main forms of IBD

Ulcerative colitis and crohns disease

What characterises the course of IBD

Unpredictable pattern of relapses and remissions with varying symptom severity

Which part of the GI tract does UC affect

Colon and rectum

Which parts of the GI tract can Crohns disease affect

Any part, from the mouth to anus

Which regions are most commonly affected by crohns disease

Terminal ileum and proximal large bowel

What are skip lesions in crohns disease

Patchy areas of inflammation separated by unaffected bowel

What does transmural inflammation mean in crohns disease

Inflammation extends through the full thickness of the bowel wall

What is a fistula in crohns disease

Abnormal passage connecting intestine to another structure

How can the bowel symptoms of UC and Crohns disease differ

UC is associated with bloody diarrhoea; crohn’s commonly causes abdominal px, watery diarrhoea and weight loss

What Msk conditions are associated with IBD

Arthritis, enthesitis, AS, sacroillitis

Who is more lilkely to experience severe idiopathic constipation

Young women, w/ Sx beginning in childhood

What is slow - transit constipation

Constipation caused by reduced motor activity in the colon

What causes Hirschsprungs disease

Congenital absece of ganglion cells in large intestine

How does Hirschsprung’s disease cause constipation?

Bowel cannot relax and coordinate normally, causing functional obstruction and colonic dilatation.

What are typical early symptoms of Hirschsprung’s disease?

Constipation, abdominal distension and vomiting, often beginning soon after birth.