Diseases of the GI System
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Transcript Diseases of the GI System
IBS
Marked by a group of GI symptoms often related to
stress.
Symptoms often benign, sometimes showing no
physical or inflammatory condition
More often seen in women
Usually seen between ages of 20-30
CAUSES
Physiological Stress (most often)
Ingested irritants as coffee, raw fruit & vegetables
Lactose Intolerance
Abuse of Laxatives
Hormonal Changes
Food Allergies
S/SX
N &V
Lower abdominal cramping during day, relieves by
passage of gas
Pain- usually worst 1-2 hours after a meal
Constipation alternating with diarrhea
Some passage of mucous from the rectum
Abdominal bloating & distension
Diagnostic Imaging
Barium studies reveals colon bloating and spasm
Colonoscopy reveals spastic contractions of the colon
without any evidence of tumors or other disease
conditions
Rx
Stress management
Avoid Food irritants
Food allergy testing
Heat to Abd
Antispasmodics
Antidepressants
ULCERATIVE COLITIS
Continuous inflammation of the colon & rectum.
Most commonly begins in the sigmoid colon and
moves upward.
Begins with excessive edema leading to ulcerations
In extreme cases can lead to perforation or puncture
of the colon
Unknown cause, but may be related to immune system
response to food or bacteria in colon or possible heredity
Effects women much more than men
Onset of systems between ages of 15-30, and again 55-65
s/sx
Weight Loss
Foul- smelling stools
Bloody stools, often containing excess pus & mucous
Abdominal cramping
weakness
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Sigmoidoscopy
Colonoscopy with a biopsy
Barium Enema would reveal the extent of condition
Abdominal X-rays
Lab Tests
HGB, WBC, Bleeding time, stool specimens
Rx
Steroids
Antidiarrheal medication
Antibiotics
Iron Supplements
For severe cases
TPN
IV fluids
Ileostomy
Prognosis
Usually good with diet and medication intervention
CIRRHOSIS OF THE
LIVER
Chronic Disease characterized by destruction and
fibrotic regeneration of liver cells.
Most people live 5 years after diagnosis
Twice a common in men than women,
Prevalent in alcoholics, drug users over the age of 50
Other causes- Hepatitis, Autoimmune diseases
Malnutrition
S/Sx
Early Stages
Anorexia
Dull abdominal ache
Late Stages
Respiratory difficulty
Ascites
Enlarged liver
Jaundice, Bleeding problems, enlarged abd veins
DIAGNOSTIC
IMAGING
Abdominal X-rays
CT scan and liver scan would show liver size, fibrotic
areas, & masses, hepatic blood flow
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy-shows bleeding and
blockage
Rx
Vitamins
Healthy diet
Surgical shunt
Liver Transplant
PROGNOSIS
Fair, depending on stage & lifestyle changes. If
lifestyle does does change, less than 5 years from dx
DIVERTICULITIS
Pouch like structures bulge through the mucous
lining of the intestines. Usually in large intestine, but
can occur in ileum and other parts of the GI tract
Most prevalent in men over age 40, and people who
eat low fiber diets. More than half of people over the
age of 60 have some diverticulitis issues
Cause
Exact cause unknown
Low fiber diet
Diminished colon mobility
S/SX
Moderate LLQ abd pain
Low grade fever
N/V
Constipation, alternating with ribbon like stools
In severe cases
Infection, peritonitis, obstruction
DIAGNOSTIC
IMAGING
Upper GI series w/ barium
Barium enema
Biopsy
Rx
Liquid, bland diet
pain medications
Antibiotics
Colon resection to remove pouches
Prognosis
Good with treatment
APPENDICITIS
ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE APPENDIX
USUALLY DUE TO AN OBSTRUCTION AND
INFECTION
SYMPTOMS
GENERALIZED ABDOMINAL PAIN THAT LATER
LOCALIZES AT THE LOWER RIGHT QUADRANT
N&V
MILD FEVER
ELEVATED WBC
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
CT Scan to confirm Dx
Rx
Surgery
GASTROENTERITIS
INFLAMMATION OF MUCOUS MEMBRANE
LINING THE STOMACH AND INTESTINAL
TRACT
CAUSES
FOOD POISONING
INFECTIONS
TOXINS
Rx
USUALLY REST AND INCREASED FLUID INTAKE
IN SEVERE CASES, ANTIBOTICS, IV FLUIDS, AND
MEDICATIONS TO SLOW PERISTALSIS MAY BE
USED
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
Usually not required, but can abd x rays are are done if
symptoms last more than a few days.
CROHN’S DISEASE
Inflammation of any part of the GI tract, but usually
in the last parts of the ileum. The inflammation
extends thru all layers of the intestine.
Most prevalent in adults 20-40 years of age
Unknown cause, but lymphatic obstruction,
allergies, genetic predisposition, infection
S/Sx
Steady pain in RLQ
Cramping, tenderness
Weight Loss
Diarrhea, fatty stools, bloody stools
Low grade fever
Perineal Abscess
DIAGNOSTIC
IMAGING
Small bowel X-ray shows irregular mucous,
ulcerations, and stiffness
Barium enema shows narrowing of the bowel
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy show patchy areas
of inflammation
Rx
Steroids
Antibiotics
Stress reduction
Vitamin supplemnts
Diet changes. Avoid high fiber, spicy, or fatty foods,
dairy products, carbonated or caffeine containing
beverages
COLON CANCER
2ND MOST COMMON TYPE OF CANCER IN THE
US
Tends to progress slowly and remain localized
for a long time
Equally occurs in men & women
90% curable if caught early
Incidence increases over age 40
CAUSES
Low fiber, high calorie diet
Hx of other GI diseases
Smoking
Diabetes
Alcohol use
Sedentary lifestyle
S/Sx
Weakness, Fatigue
Poor appetite, weight loss
Rectal bleeding, dull cramps, constipation/diarrhea
Vomiting
Diagnostic Imaging
CT scan allows good visualization
Barium enema to see any obstructions
Rx
Surgery to remove tumor & any involved structure
Chemotherapy
Radiation either before or after surgery
High fiber diet