Chapter 37 Notes

Anorexia

A loss of appetite or desire to eat.

Nausea

A feeling of discomfort in the stomach that may lead to vomiting.

Vomiting

The forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach through the mouth.

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB)

Bleeding that occurs in the digestive tract, categorized as upper or lower.

Retching

Rhythmic spasmodic movements of the diaphragm, chest wall, and abdominal muscles without expulsion of vomit.

Vomiting center

A medullary center responsible for the reflex action of vomiting.

Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)

An area that mediates emetic effects of blood-borne drugs and toxins.

Dysphagia

Difficulty in swallowing.

Odynophagia

Painful swallowing.

Achalasia

Failure of the esophageal sphincter to relax.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

A chronic digestive condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.

Heartburn

A burning sensation in the chest caused by GERD.

Esophageal cancer

Cancer of the esophagus, often linked to alcohol and tobacco use.

Dysphagia in esophageal cancer

Difficulty swallowing experienced by patients with esophageal cancer.

Gastric mucosal barrier

An impermeable epithelial surface that protects the stomach lining.

Water-insoluble mucus

A type of mucus that forms a gel to protect the gastric mucosa.

Water-soluble mucus

A type of mucus that acts as a lubricant for the gastric mucosa.

Acute gastritis

Transient inflammation of gastric mucosa usually due to irritants.

Chronic gastritis

Long-term inflammation resulting in atrophy of the glandular epithelium.

Helicobacter pylori

A bacterium that colonizes the stomach, causing inflammation and ulceration.

Peptic ulcer

Ulcerative disorders in the upper gastrointestinal tract exposed to acid.

Hemorrhage

Bleeding resulting from an ulcer eroding into an artery or vein.

Obstruction

Interference with the free passage of gastric contents due to scarring.

Perforation

Erosion of an ulcer through all layers of the stomach or duodenal wall.

Hematamesis

Vomiting blood that may appear bright red or as coffee grounds.

Melena

Black, tarry stool indicating upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Stress ulcers risk factors

Conditions such as burns, trauma, sepsis leading to gastric ulcers.

Cancer risk factors

Genetic predisposition and carcinogenic dietary factors contributing to gastric cancer.

Irritable bowel disease

A disorder characterized by persistent abdominal pain and altered bowel function.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of diverticula in the intestines, often associated with pain.

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix that can lead to perforation.

Diarrhea

Increased frequency of bowel movements that can be classified into large or small volume.

Clinical manifestations of celiac disease

Symptoms such as failure to thrive and diarrhea in infants.

Constipation

Infrequent bowel movements often due to dietary and lifestyle factors.

Fecal impaction

Severe constipation leading to a buildup of stool in the rectum.

Internal obstruction

Mechanical obstruction caused by surgery or other physical issues.

Peritoneal cavity

The space within the abdomen that can allow for rapid absorption of toxins.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum often due to perforation of an organ.

Intestinal malabsorption

Failure to absorb dietary nutrients leading to various gastrointestinal symptoms.

Colorectal cancer risk factors

Age, family history, and certain bowel diseases raise the risk of colon cancer.

Celiac disease

An autoimmune disorder causing adverse reactions to gluten.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

A procedure to examine the lower part of the colon.

Stool occult blood test

A test that checks for hidden blood in the stool.

Barium enema

An imaging test using barium to visualize the intestines.

Proton pump inhibitors

Medications that reduce stomach acid production.

Antacids

Medications that neutralize stomach acid to relieve symptoms.

Inflammatory bowel disease

A term for disorders involving chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Clostridium difficile

A bacterium that can cause infectious colitis, often after antibiotic use.