Gastrointestinal Disorders Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and diverticulitis, including key terms, clinical features, and treatments.

Ulcerative Colitis

A chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon caused by immune system dysfunction, characterized by continuous ulcerations throughout the mucosa, periods of exacerbations and remissions, and diarrhea containing blood or pus.

Crohn's Disease

A chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, characterized by patchy ulcerations or skip lesions affecting all layers of the bowel wall, as well as an increased risk for fistulas.

Fistula

An abnormal tunnel between two organs that should not be connected, such as between two parts of the intestine, or between the intestine and the bladder or vagina.

Steatorrhea

The presence of a high fat content in the stool, which is a common sign in patients with Crohn's disease.

Proctocolectomy

A surgical procedure involving the complete removal of the colon and rectum, which may be required in severe cases of ulcerative colitis.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of diverticula (pouches off the intestine) caused by the accumulation of undigested food and bacteria, primarily presenting with left lower quadrant abdominal pain.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

A lab test whose levels become elevated in the presence of chronic inflammatory GI conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and diverticulitis.

Sulfasalazine

A GI anti-inflammatory medication used in the pharmacological management of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Hypokalemia

An electrolyte imbalance resulting from low potassium, which can occur in patients with ulcerative colitis due to frequent liquid diarrhea.

Skip Lesions

Patchy, sporadic ulcerations throughout the GI tract that are characteristic of Crohn's disease, differentiating it from the continuous ulcerations of ulcerative colitis.