Gastrointestinal and Renal Disorders Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering major gastrointestinal and renal disorders including Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease, appendicitis, diverticular disease, pyelonephritis, and nephrotic/nephritic syndromes.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting only the colon and rectum, characterized by continuous inflammation starting in the rectum and spreading through the colon.

Bloody Diarrhea

One of the most important distinguishing characteristics of ulcerative colitis, often mixed with mucus due to an inflamed and ulcerated intestinal lining.

Toxic Megacolon

A serious complication of ulcerative colitis involving extreme inflammation and dilation of the colon.

Sulfasalazine

A 5-Aminosalicylate ($5\text{-ASA}$) medication that reduces inflammation in the intestinal lining and is considered first-line for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.

Prednisone

A corticosteroid used during disease flare-ups to rapidly decrease inflammation and bleeding, though long-term use can lead to osteoporosis and adrenal suppression.

Colectomy

A surgical procedure that can be curative for ulcerative colitis because the disease is limited to the colon.

Crohn’s Disease

A chronic inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, often involving the entire thickness of the bowel wall.

Terminal Ileum

The most common site involved in Crohn’s disease and the primary location for vitamin $B_{12}$ absorption.

Skip Lesions

A defining feature of Crohn’s disease where areas of diseased bowel are separated by healthy sections, creating a patchy inflammation pattern.

Fistula

An abnormal passageway connecting the intestine to another organ or body surface, frequently developing in Crohn’s disease due to full-thickness bowel inflammation.

McBurney’s Point Tenderness

A classic assessment finding for appendicitis located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen.

Peritonitis

A medical emergency involving inflammation of the abdominal cavity, characterized by severe pain, fever, and a rigid board-like abdomen.

Diverticulosis

The formation of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall, often associated with aging, chronic constipation, and low-fiber diets.

Diverticulitis

Acute inflammation of diverticula which may require a low-fiber or clear-liquid diet to allow the bowel to rest during the acute phase.

Metronidazole

An antibiotic commonly combined with ciprofloxacin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole to treat diverticulitis.

Pyelonephritis

A kidney infection characterized by fever, chills, flank pain, and costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness.

Urinalysis

A diagnostic test for pyelonephritis that typically shows the presence of bacteria, white blood cells, and sometimes blood.

Nephrotic Syndrome

A kidney condition characterized by damaged glomeruli leading to massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and generalized edema.

Hypoalbuminemia

Low serum albumin levels resulting from protein loss through the kidneys, which causes fluid to move into tissues (edema).

Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation of the glomeruli, often following a streptococcal infection, which reduces kidney filtration and can cause hematuria and hypertension.

Periorbital Edema

Swelling around the eyes, which is a common manifestation of glomerulonephritis.

Rebound Tenderness

Pain felt when pressure is released from the abdomen, commonly found in both appendicitis and peritonitis.

TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition)

Intravenous nutrition that may be required during severe exacerbations of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease when bowel rest is necessary.

$GFR$ (Glomerular Filtration Rate)

A laboratory value that decreases in glomerulonephritis, indicating reduced kidney filtration capacity.