36 - Gastrointestinal Disorders(Exam 1)

What are gastrointestinal disorders?

Disorders that impair digestion, nutrient absorption, or waste elimination.

What is dysphagia?

Difficulty swallowing.

What is odynophagia?

Painful swallowing.

Which type of dysphagia is caused by neuromuscular incoordination?

Type I dysphagia.

Which dysphagia type causes food to feel stuck behind the sternum?

Type II dysphagia.

What causes heartburn (pyrosis)?

Reflux of acidic gastric contents into the esophagus.

What type of abdominal pain is sharp and localized?

Somatic pain.

What type of abdominal pain is poorly localized and cramping?

Visceral pain.

What is referred pain?

Pain felt at a location distant from the source.

What is the major cause of constipation?

Low-fiber diet and decreased motility.

What is fecal impaction?

A firm mass of stool obstructing the lower GI tract.

What causes osmotic diarrhea?

Poorly absorbed solutes pulling water into the intestine.

What causes secretory diarrhea?

Bacterial toxins stimulating fluid secretion.

What causes exudative diarrhea?

Inflammation causing mucus and blood loss.

What is stomatitis?

Ulcerative inflammation of the oral mucosa.

What virus commonly causes cold sores?

HSV-1.

What are common symptoms of acute herpetic gingivostomatitis?

Painful oral ulcers, fever, tingling, and pharyngitis.

What is GERD?

Backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus causing inflammation.

What factors increase risk for GERD?

Obesity, smoking, alcohol, pregnancy, fatty foods, caffeine, and hiatal hernia.

What are the classic symptoms of GERD?

Heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, and dysphagia.

What is Barrett esophagus?

Replacement of squamous epithelium with columnar epithelium from chronic GERD.

Why is Barrett esophagus dangerous?

It increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

What medications are commonly used to treat GERD?

PPIs, H2 blockers, and antacids.

What is a hiatal hernia?

Protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm.

What are the two types of hiatal hernia?

Sliding and paraesophageal.

What is acute gastritis?

Inflammation of the stomach caused by irritants like NSAIDs or alcohol.

What is the most common cause of chronic gastritis?

Helicobacter pylori.

What complications can result from chronic gastritis?

Peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, and MALT lymphoma.

What is peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?

Ulceration caused by acid and pepsin damaging the GI mucosa.

What are major causes of peptic ulcers?

H. pylori, NSAIDs, smoking, alcohol, and stress.

When does gastric ulcer pain usually occur?

Soon after eating.

When does duodenal ulcer pain usually occur?

2–3 hours after eating and relieved by food.

What is melena?

Black tarry stool from upper GI bleeding.

What medications decrease gastric acid secretion?

PPIs and H2 blockers.

What medication coats ulcers for protection?

Sucralfate.

What lifestyle changes help treat PUD?

Avoid NSAIDs, smoking, alcohol, and irritating foods.

What is gastroenteritis?

Inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

What commonly causes acute gastroenteritis?

Viruses and bacterial toxins.

What are common symptoms of gastroenteritis?

Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and malaise.

What is the primary treatment for gastroenteritis?

Fluid and electrolyte replacement.

What causes pseudomembranous colitis?

Clostridioides difficile infection after antibiotic use.

What are classic symptoms of C. diff infection?

Watery foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, and leukocytosis.

What severe complication can occur with C. diff?

Toxic megacolon.

How is C. diff treated?

Stopping offending antibiotics and giving vancomycin or fidaxomicin.

What disorders are classified as inflammatory bowel disease?

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease.

What is ulcerative colitis?

Continuous inflammation limited to the mucosa and submucosa of the colon.

Where does ulcerative colitis begin?

In the rectum.

What are hallmark symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, urgency, and weight loss.

What major complication is associated with ulcerative colitis?

Colon cancer.

What is Crohn disease?

A transmural inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract.

What are skip lesions?

Discontinuous inflamed areas seen in Crohn disease.

What are hallmark symptoms of Crohn disease?

RLQ pain, diarrhea, fever, fistulas, and weight loss.

What appearance is commonly seen in Crohn disease?

Cobblestone appearance.

Which IBD commonly causes fistulas and fissures?

Crohn disease.

Which IBD has the greater colon cancer risk?

Ulcerative colitis.

How are IBD disorders commonly treated?

Steroids, immunosuppressants, antibiotics, and biologics.

What causes appendicitis?

Obstruction of the appendix by fecaliths or lymphoid hyperplasia.

Where is appendicitis pain usually located?

Right lower quadrant at McBurney point.

What are common symptoms of appendicitis?

RLQ pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and rebound tenderness.

What is the treatment for appendicitis?

Immediate surgical removal.

What is diverticulitis?

Inflammation of diverticula in the colon.

What quadrant is most associated with diverticulitis pain?

Left lower quadrant.

What are common symptoms of diverticulitis?

LLQ pain, fever, leukocytosis, and constipation.

What complications can occur with diverticulitis?

Abscesses, perforation, peritonitis, and obstruction.

How is diverticulitis treated?

Antibiotics, drainage, or surgery.

What is IBS?

A functional bowel disorder causing abdominal pain and altered bowel habits.

What are hallmark symptoms of IBS?

Alternating constipation and diarrhea with cramping.

What causes mechanical bowel obstruction?

Adhesions, hernias, tumors, volvulus, and intussusception.

What causes functional bowel obstruction?

Loss of intestinal motility from surgery, narcotics, or electrolyte imbalance.

What happens proximal to an intestinal obstruction?

Fluid and gas accumulate causing distention.

What are symptoms of small bowel obstruction?

Vomiting and dehydration.

What are symptoms of large bowel obstruction?

Massive distention and severe electrolyte imbalance.

How are bowel obstructions treated?

Surgery, decompression, and fluid replacement.

What is Hirschsprung disease?

Congenital absence of autonomic ganglion cells in the large intestine.

What complication can occur in Hirschsprung disease?

Enterocolitis.

What is celiac disease?

An autoimmune intolerance to gluten.

What causes intestinal damage in celiac disease?

Villous atrophy.

What are symptoms of celiac disease?

Diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiencies.

What tests help diagnose celiac disease?

tTG-IgA and intestinal biopsy.

What is the treatment for celiac disease?

Strict gluten-free diet.

What warning signs may indicate GI cancer?

Black stools, bloody stools, pencil-shaped stools, and bowel habit changes.

What factors increase colon cancer risk?

Low-fiber diet, high-fat diet, smoking, alcohol, polyps, and chronic inflammation.

What symptoms are common with right-sided colon cancer?

Melena and occult bleeding.

What symptoms are common with left-sided colon cancer?

Cramping, pencil-shaped stools, and blood in stool.

What symptoms are common with rectal/sigmoid cancer?

Tenesmus and altered bowel habits.

What is the standard screening test for colon cancer?

Colonoscopy.

When should average-risk colon cancer screening begin?

Age 50.

What determines colon cancer prognosis?

Extent of invasion and metastasis.

What is the primary treatment for colon cancer?

Surgical resection with chemotherapy or radiation if needed.

Which GI disorder is associated with H. pylori?

Peptic ulcer disease and chronic gastritis.

Which disorder has transmural inflammation and skip lesions?

Crohn disease.

Which disorder is limited to mucosa and submucosa?

Ulcerative colitis.

Which GI disorder increases risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma?

Barrett esophagus.

Which disorder commonly presents with bloody diarrhea and pseudopolyps?

Ulcerative colitis.

Which disorder commonly presents with fistulas and cobblestone lesions?

Crohn disease.

Which condition causes watery diarrhea after antibiotic use?

C. difficile colitis.

Which condition presents with RLQ pain and rebound tenderness?

Appendicitis.

Which condition presents with LLQ pain in older adults?

Diverticulitis.

Which condition is caused by gluten intolerance?

Celiac disease.

Which GI disorder is functional rather than structural?

IBS.