GIT disorders

✅ WEEKLY STUDY PLAN

Week

Focus Area

Topics Covered

Week 1

Reflux + Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

GORD, PUD, H. pylori, Lifestyle management

Week 2

Diverticular Disease

Diverticulosis vs Diverticulitis, management

Week 3

Intestinal Obstruction

Mechanical vs Functional, symptoms, treatment

Week 4

Pancreatitis & Cirrhosis

Acute vs Chronic, Causes, Nursing care

🧠 WEEK 1 NOTES – GORD & PUD

📌 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)

  • What is it? Backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus.

  • Causes: Weak lower oesophageal sphincter, obesity, ageing, smoking.

  • Symptoms: 🔥 Heartburn (pyrosis), dyspepsia, pain when swallowing (odynophagia), hypersalivation, mimics chest pain

  • Management:

    • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, mint, fatty foods

    • Don’t eat 2 hrs before bed

    • Raise head of bed

    • Maintain healthy weight

    • Loose clothing

📌 Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

  • What is it? Ulcers in stomach, duodenum or oesophagus.

  • Causes: H. pylori, NSAIDs, alcohol, smoking, stress, excess acid

  • Symptoms: Pain after eating, bloating, nausea, weight loss

  • Management:

    • Treat H. pylori (antibiotics + PPIs)

    • No smoking/alcohol

    • Small, frequent meals

    • Avoid spicy/acidic foods

🧠 WEEK 2 NOTES – DIVERTICULAR DISEASE

📌 Diverticulosis

  • Definition: Pouches in the bowel (colon) without inflammation

  • Symptoms: Often none, but may include bloating, cramps, constipation

📌 Diverticulitis

  • Definition: Infection or inflammation of the pouches

  • Symptoms: Pain (often lower left), fever, bleeding, nausea

📌 Treatment:

  • Mild cases: Antibiotics, fluids, rest

  • Severe cases: IV fluids, bowel rest, surgery, possible colostomy

🩺 Nursing Care:

  • Encourage fluids (2L/day unless restricted)

  • High-fibre diet (after flare settles)

  • Avoid straining → stool softeners

  • Monitor for signs of complications (bleeding, infection)

🧠 WEEK 3 NOTES – INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION

📌 Types:

  • Mechanical: Tumors, hernias, adhesions, twisted bowel

  • Functional (Paralytic ileus): Bowel not moving (nerve/muscle issue)

📌 Symptoms:

  • No bowel movement, bloating, vomiting, cramping

  • High-pitched or absent bowel sounds

🩺 Management:

  • NPO, IV fluids

  • NG tube to decompress

  • Surgery if blockage doesn’t resolve

🧠 WEEK 4 NOTES – PANCREATITIS & CIRRHOSIS

📌 Acute Pancreatitis

  • Cause: Gallstones, alcohol, medications

  • Symptoms: Severe upper abdominal pain, vomiting, back pain

  • Treatment: NPO, pain relief, IV fluids, monitor for shock/infection

📌 Chronic Pancreatitis

  • Cause: Long-term alcohol use, hereditary

  • Symptoms: Recurring pain, weight loss, fatty stools

  • Management: Enzyme replacement, avoid alcohol, pain management

📌 Cirrhosis (Liver damage + scar tissue)

  • Types: Alcoholic, post-necrotic (after hepatitis), biliary

  • Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice, ascites, bleeding, encephalopathy

🩺 Nursing Interventions:

  • Monitor for bleeding, confusion (encephalopathy)

  • High-energy diet, restrict protein (if at risk of encephalopathy)

  • Low sodium (ascites)

  • Elevate head of bed (respiratory support)

  • Encourage ADLs as tolerated

📝 Mnemonics & Tips

  • GORD Triggers = "CAFFEINE"

    • Caffeine, Alcohol, Fatty foods, Fizzy drinks, Eating late, Increased weight, Nicotine, Elevated pressure (clothes)

  • PUD Causes = "SHAN"

    • Smoking, H. pylori, Acid overproduction, NSAIDs

  • Cirrhosis Complications = "ABCDE"

    • Ascites, Bleeding, Coma (encephalopathy), Drug sensitivity, Edema