Gastroenterology Diseases, Medical Procedures, and Treatments

Pancreatic Cancer

Cancerous tumor of the pancreas; also known as adenocarcinoma or ductal cell carcinoma

• Treatment: Chemotherapy; surgery to remove the tumor

Pancreatitis

inflammation of and pancreas due to gallstone blocking both common bile duct and pancreatic duct and the pancreatic enzymes back up into the pancreas causing abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Chronic alcoholism and injury can produce this.

• Treatment: avoiding alcohol; surgery to remove gallstone in bile duct (choledocholithotomy)

Gallbladder cancer

cancerous tumor in the of the gallbladder; Cholangiocarcinoma

• Treatment: Surgery to remove the cancerous gallbladder (cholecystectomy); radiation therapy and chemotherapy drugs

Cholelithiasis

Presence of gallstones in the gallbladder, which can cause cramping or severe biliary colic when there are too many gallstones or gallstones are lodged into the common bile duct. When bile is too concentrated it forms sediment (sludge) which turns into small gallstone then larger ones.

• Treatment: Drugs to dissolve gallstones, lithotripsy to break up small gallstones; surgery to remove a gallstone from common bile duct or surgery to remove the entire gallbladder because of larger gallstones

Cholangitis

acute or choleric inflammation of the bile ducts because of cirrhosis or gallstones

Acute Cholecystitis

when gallstones block the cystic duct, leading to inflammation of the gallbladder.

Chronic Cholecystitis

Occurs when a gallstone partially blocks the cystic duct, causing backup of bile adn thickening of the gallbladder wall

Hepatoma/ Hepatocellular Carcinoma/ Liver cancer

cancerous tumor of the liver that can arise from either primary liver cells or metastasis from other organs.

• Treatment: Surgery to remove tumor; chemotherapy

Jaundice

yellowish discoloration of the skin (icterus) and whites of the eyes (scleral icterus) due too increased levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood, giving them a yellow color.

Hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver due to cirrhosis, hepatitis, or cancer

• Treatment: Correct the underlying condition

Hepat/o—

LIVER

Hepatosplenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen and liver

Hepatitis

Infection and inflammation of the liver from hepatitis virus that causes weakness, anorexia, nausea, fever, dark urine, and jaundice. Also known as viral hepatitis

Hep A

Caused by water or food that is contaminated with fecal matter from a person who’s already infected with HAV and produces an acute but short-lived infection that most people recover from completely. Also known as infectious hepatitis

• Treatment: none needed

• Prevention: Vaccination

Hep B

Caused by exposure to the blood of a person who is already infected with HBV also known to spread during sexual activity and by contact with saliva and vaginal secretions. An infected mother can pass this on to her fetus or after birth when breast-feeding it produces an acute infection but most people recover completely however it can continue as a chronic infection for months during that time the infected person is a carrier and can infect others. Also known as serum hepatitis

• Prevention: vaccination

Hep C

Caused by exposure to contaminated needles or the blood of a person who’s already infected with HCV it produces an acute infection that continues as a chronic infection. It is not easily transmitted during sexual activity or from a mother to her fetus. It is the main cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

• Treatment: antiviral drug

• Prevention: avoid potential exposure as there is no vaccine

Hep D

A secondary infection caused by a mutated hepatitis virus. It develops only a patient who already have hip B. it is also known as Delta hepatitis.

Cirrhosis

Chronic, progressive inflammation and finally irreversible degeneration of the liver with enlargement, nodules, and scarring in which liver function is impaired causing nausea, vomiting, weakness, and jaundice. It is caused by alcoholism, viral hepatitis, or chronic obstruction of bile ducts.

• Treatment: Correct underlying cause

Ascites

Accumulation of ascetic fluid in the abdominopelvic cavity where the pressure pushes fluid out of the blood into the abdominopelvic cavity and grossly distends the abdomen.

• Treatment: Removal of ascetic fluid from the abdomen using a needle (abdinominocentesis) or permanent drainage of excess fluid via implanted tube (shunt)

Ascit/o—

ASCITES

Peritonitis

Infection and inflammation of the peritoneum that occurs when an ulcer, diverticulum, or cancerous tumor breaks through wall of the stomach or intestine, or when an infected appendix ruptures. This results in stomach and intestinal contents and bacterial spills into the cavity

• Treatment: Surgery (exploratory laparotomy) to cleans the abdominal cavity of infected fluids and tissues, correct underlying cause; antibiotic drug for infection

Hernia

Defected and weakness in the muscle of diaphragm, abdominal wall, or pelvic floor where the intestine and peritoneum around it bulge through hernia sac causing swelling and pain.

Incarcerated/strangulated hernia

Intestine swells within the hernia sac becoming trapped and necrotic and can no longer move back into abdominopelvic cavity leading to tissue death

Sliding/reducible hernia

The intestine moved back and forth between the hernia sac and abdominopelvic cavity

Hiatal hernia

When the stomach bulges into the opening where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm

Ventral Hernia

Occurs anywhere on the anterior abdominal wall (except the umbilicus)

Omphalocele

An umbilical hernia that is present at birth and has no covering of abdominal skin, only think sac of peritoneum

Inguinal hernia

Hernia located in the groin

Incisional hernia

Hernia along the suture line of a prior abdominal surgical incision

Constipation

Failure to have regular soft bowel movements due to decrease peristalsis, lack of dietary fiber in adequate water, intake, lack of exercise or side effects of a drug.

• Treatment: Laxative; high fiber diet; increased water intake; enemas

Obstipation

Severe unrelieved constipation that can cause bowel obstruction

Fecalith

Harden feces that becomes a stone like mass that conform in the appendix or diverticulum

Diarrhea

Abnormal frequent loose and sometimes watery feces caused by an infection, irritable bile syndrome, ulcerative colitis, lactose intolerance, or side effect of a drug. This is increase peristalsis, and the feces moves through the large intestine before the water can be absorbed.

• Treatment: anti-diarrhea; drug lactase enzyme supplement; antibiotic drug to treat bacterial infection

Flatulence

Presence of excessive amounts of flatus/gas in the stomach or intestines that can be caused by lactose intolerance, indigestion, or complete digestion of the carbohydrates and beans

• Treatment: Lactase enzyme supplement; antigas drug

Hematochezia

Blood in the feces from an ulcer, Crohn’s disease, polyp, diverticulum, or hemorrhoid that can appear as black tar when containing digestive blood from bleeding in the esophagus or stomach, or bright red blood indicating active bleeding in the lower G.I. system

Steatorrhea

Greasy frothy, foul-smelling feces that contains undigested fats because of a deficiency of the digestive enzyme lipase that is caused by pancreatic disease, cancer or cystic fibrosis

Meconium

A thick sticky green to black stool that is passed after birth

Colic

Common in babies, causing crampy abdominal pain after feeding due to over feeding, feeding too quickly, inadequate burping, or food allergy to milk

Steat/o—

Fat

—rrhea

Discharge; flow

Hemorrhoids

Swollen protruding veins in a rectum (internal) or the skin around the anus (external) that are caused by chronic constipation and increased intra-abdominal pressure from straining to past feces. They are associated with obesity and pregnancy also known as piles.

• Treatment: topical corticosteroid to decrease irritation, topical anesthetic drug to reduce pain; sclerotherapy and injection of a drug to cause reduction of scarring; rubber band tie off, or surgery

Proctitis

Inflammation of the rectum and anus caused by ulcers or infection

Rectocele

In women, a hernia in which the wall of the rectum protrudes into the adjacent vaginal wall, causing it to collapse inwardly and block the vaginal canal

• Treatment: surgery to repair

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Disorder of the function of the colon, although the mucosa of the colon never has any visible signs of inflammation. There is cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, alternating with constipation, and excessive mucus that is caused by lactose intolerance, food allergies, or emotional stress

• Treatment: anti-diarrhea, antispasmodic, and anti-anxiety drugs; high fiber diet and laxative drugs to prevent constipation

Polyposis

Condition of numerous polyps that are small fleshly, benign, or pre-cancerous growth of the mucosa from the colon

Inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic inflammation of various parts of the small, enlarged intestines symptoms include diarrhea, bloody feces, abdominal cramps, and fever in which the cause is not known.

Treatment: corticosteroids to decrease inflammation; bowel resection, ileostomy, colostomy

Crohn disease

A type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the ileum and colon in which there are areas of normal mucosa and then inflammation and ulcers. There’s thickening of the intestinal wall which can cause a partial obstruction in the intestines

Ulcerative Colitis

A type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon and rectum and causes inflammation and ulcers

Gluten sensitivity enteropathy

Autoimmune disorder, characterized by an inflammatory reaction, tissue damage in the small intestine caused by eating gluten found in some grains previously known as celiac disease

Diverticulum

Weakness in the wall of the colon where the mucosal forms an abnormal pouch or tube shaped sac in which feces trapped inside causes inflammation infection abdominal pain and fever (diverticulitis)

• Treatment: high fiber diet

• Prevention: antibiotics to treat diverticulitis, surgery to remove the effective segment of the colon

Appendicitis

Infection inflammation of the appendix As waste material becomes trapped in the lumen of the appendix where abdominal pain increases, and then localize to the right lower quadrant. An infected appendix can rupture spilling infection into the abdominal pelvic cavity and causing peritonitis.

• Treatment: surgery to remove the appendix

Colon cancer

Cancerous tumor on the colon that occurs when colonic polyps or ulcerative colitis becomes cancerous. It is linked to high fat diet and can cause blood in the feces?

• Treatment: polypectomy; Bowel resection; Colostomy (Reroute the colon to a new opening in abdominal wall)

Volvulus

Intestine around itself, causing vomiting, abdominal pain, poor support of the intestine by the mesentery or formation of abdominal adhesions between the loops of intestine

• Treatment: surgery of the exploratory, laparotomy, and lysis of adhesions; bowel resection in anastomosis if needed

Intussusception

Telescoping of one segment of intestine inside the lumen of the next segment, causing vomiting and abdominal pain

• Treatment: Surgery - bowel resection anastomosis

Ileus

Absence of normal peristalsis in the small enlarged intestines. Obstipation, a tumor, or hernia can cause an obstruction that slows peristalsis. Intestinal infection, trauma, or the use of opioid drugs for pain can slow peristalsis

• Treatment: intravenous fluid from temporary visual support surgery, like bowel erection and anastomosis may need it

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

Chronic irritation, burning pain and erosion of the mucosal with the formation of an ulcer which is caused by excessive hydrochloric acid, stress and drugs (aspirin) that irritate the mucosa

• Treatment: Antacid drug to neutralize acid; Antibiotic drug for H. Pylori infection, and avoiding spicy food, smoking alcohol, caffeine, and aspirin containing drugs

Gastric ulcer

Most commonly caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, which had been linked to cancer of the stomach

Stomach cancers

Cancerous tumor of the stomach that begins in the glands in the gastric muscles and it is categorized as an adenocarcinoma caused by chronic irritation from a Helicobacter pylori infection.

• Treatment: surgery (gastrectomy)

Hematemesis

Vomiting of blood caused by bleeding in the esophagus or stomach due to esophageal or gastric ulcer or esophageal varices. Coffee ground emesis contains old, dark blood that is been partially digested by the stomach

Heartburn

Temporary mild inflammation of the esophagus due to reflux of stomach acid back into the esophagus, also known as pyrosis

• Treatment: antiacid

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Chronic inflammation and irritation due to reflux of stomach acid back into the esophagus because the lower esophageal sphincter does not close tightly. This causes a sore throat belching and esophagitis which can lead to esophageal ulcers or cancer of the esophagus

• Treatment: eat small, frequent meals, avoid alcohol and foods that stimulate stomach and acid production; Elevate the head of the bed while sleeping; use an anti-acid to neutralize acid; surgery to repair the sphincter.

Gastroenteritis

Acute infection or inflammation of the stomach and intestines in which there is abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is caused by a virus from the flu or bacterium from contaminated food

• Treatment: Antiemetic drug for vomiting, anti-diarrheal, antibiotic

Gastritis

Acute or chronic infection or inflammation of the stomach caused by bacterial infection or inflammation from spicy foods, alcohol or excessive hydrochloric acid production.

• Treatment: Antacid, Antibiotic, avoidance of spicy foods and alcohol

Esophageal Varix

Swollen protruding vein in the mucosa of the esophagus. Liver disease, partially blocks the return of venous blood from the intestines to the heart, so that blood takes an alternative route through the smaller veins of the esophagus, but eventually these veins become engorged. These are easily irritated by swallowed food and can suddenly hemorrhage causing death.

• Treatment: Correct, underlying liver disease; Surgery to inject a drug into varix to harden it

Dyspepsia

Mild, temporary epigastric pain sometimes with gas or nausea, also known as indigestion

• Treatment: Antacid; avoid spicy foods fatty foods, alcohol, and things that cause it; correct under underlying diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer, etc.

Glossitis

Infection or inflammation of the tongue caused by bacterial or viral infection, food, allergies, abrasive or spicy foods, or vitamin B deficiency

• Treatment: Correct underlying cause

Sialolithiasis

A stone formed in the salivary gland. It becomes lodged in the duct, blocking the flow of saliva, causing the salivary gland, oral cavity in face to swell. Smooth muscle muscles in the salivary gland spasm when the flow of saliva is blocked by the stone, causing pain.

• Treatment: Surgical removal of the stone

Anorexia

Decrease appetite because of disease or the gastrointestinal side effects of a drug; patient who has this is known to be anorexic

Dysphasia

Painful, eating or difficulty swallowing caused by an infection of the mouth poorly fitting dentures surgery or radiation therapy for cancer of the mouth

• Treatment: soft foods for painful eating antibiotics or thicken liquids for difficult swallowing

Albumin

Liver function blood test for the major protein molecule, albumin. Liver disease cause low levels of the protein in the blood reflecting malnutrition from poor protein intake.

Cologuard

Screening test to detect the DNA of cancer cells in the stool in which regular screening is recommended for adults 45 and older. The stool specimen is collected at home and sent to a laboratory and the patient with the positive test is referred for a colonoscopy.

Culture and sensitivity (C&S)

Testing with a sample of the patient’s stool is swabbed into a culture dish that contains a nutrient medium for growing bacteria. After the bacteria grows it can be identified by the appearance of the colonies then discs of different antibiotic. Drugs are placed in the culture disc if the bacteria are resistant to the antibiotic drug, there will only be a small zone of inhibition (no growth) around it. If bacteria are sensitive to the drug, there will be a medium or large zone of inhibition around the disc.

Fecal occult blood test

Test for hidden blood in the feces using chemical reagent guaiac. If blood is present (+), the guiac will turn blue but it cannot tell how much blood is there or where the bleeding originated; Also known as Stool guaiac test

Liver function tests

Pan of blood tests performed at the same time to give a comprehensive picture of liver functioning, Including albumin, bilirubin, Alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, GGT, and Prothrombin

Ova and parasites

Fecal test that determine if there is a parasitic infection in the G.I. system, ova can be detected in the feces or by examining a fecal sample under a microscope

Barium Enema

Radiologic procedure that inserts the liquid contract medium barium into the rectum and outlines the coats the walls of the colon and rectum, and then an x-ray is taken. Test is used to identify polyps, diverticula, and tumors

Cholangiography

Radiologic procedure that uses iodinated contrast dye to outline the bile ducts. Then an X-ray is taken to reveal gallstones in the gallbladder and bile ducts or thickening of the gallbladder wall.

Cholescintigraphy

Nuclear medicine procedure that uses a radioactive drug given intravenously to trace the flow of bile from the liver through the binary ducks. This is used to detect cholecystitis, gallstones, and bile obstruction. Also known as HIDA scan

Computerized axial tomography

Radiologic procedure that uses x-ray to create images of abdominal organs and structures in many thin successive “slices”

Flat plate of the abdomen

Radiologic procedure that uses an x-ray without contrast dye in which the patient lies in a supine position on the x-ray table with The x-ray plate beneath the examination table

Gallbladder ultrasound

Radiological procedure that uses ultra high frequency, sound waves to create images of the gallbladder, and is used to identify gallstones and thickening of the gallbladder wall. The image is a gallbladder sonogram.

Magnetic residence imaging

Radiologic procedure that uses a strong magnetic field to align protons in the atoms of the patient’s body. The protons are made signals to form very detailed images of abdominal organs, instructions and thin successive “slices”

Oral cholecystography

Radiologic procedure that uses tablets of INA contrast that taken orally the tablet dissolve in the small intestine the contrast die is absorbed in the blood, travel to the liver and is excreted with bile into the gallbladder and x-ray is taken identify stones in the gallbladder and binary ducks or thickening of the gallbladder wall the image is called an oral cholecystogram

Cholecyst/o—

Gallbladder

Enema

Caesar to insert filling into the rectum to stimulate bowel movement and relieve constipation

Insertion of nasogastric tube

Procedure to insert a long flexible nasogastric tube through the nose into the stomach that is used to drain secretions from the stomach or give feedings or drugs to a patient on a temporary basis

Antacid drugs

Treats heartburn by neutralizing acid in the stomach.

Examples: Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids

Antibiotic or anti-infective drugs

Treats, gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are not effective against viral gastrointestinal infections.

Examples: Pepto-bismol, Cipro

Antidiarrheal drug

treats diarrhea by slowing down peristalsis and increasing water absorption

Antiemetic drug

Treats nausea, vomiting, and motion sickenss

Examples: Bendaryl, Dramamine

Antispasmodic drug

decreases peristalsis to treat diarrhea and decreases spasms to treat cholecystitis and cholelithiasis

Examples: Anaspax, Levsin

Bile acid drug for gallstones

decreases the livers production of cholesterol that forms gallstones

H₂ blocker drug

treats gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease by blocking histamine 2 receptors in the stomach that release hydrochloric acid

Laxative drugs

treats constipation by softening the feces or by adding fiber to increase the bulk of stool. A suppository directly stimulates peristalsis by its presence in the rectum

Examples; Benefiber, Metamucil, milk of magnesia, Dulcolax, Amitiza

Proton pump inhibitor drug

Treats gastroesophageal refux disease and peptic ulcer disease by blocking the production of hydrochoric acid

Examples: Nexium, Prilosec

Abdominocentesis

procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen using a needle inserted into the abdominal cavity and is typically done to relieve abdominal pressure from fluid associated with ascites

Appendectomy

procedure to remove appendicitis

Bariatric surgery

Procedure to treat severe obesity by decreasing the size of the stomach to limit the amount of food intake

biospy

prpcedure that uses a small scope with a light to remove a small piece of tissue from an ulcer, polyp, mass, or tumor