Gastroenterology-Diseases and Conditions

cholangitis

acute or chronic inflammation of the bile ducts because of cirrhosis or gallstones

adhesions

fibrous bands that form after abdominal surgery, bind intestines to each other or to other organs

sialolithiasis

a stone (sialolith) that forms in the salivary gland and becomes lodged in the duct, blocking the flow of saliva. Salivary gland, mouth, and face become swollen, painful

ileus

abnormal absence of peristalsis in the stomach and large intestines. Obstipation, a tumor, adhesions, or a hernia can cause a mechanical obstruction. A severe infection in the intestine or abdominopelvic cavity, trauma, shock, or drugs can cause a paralytic ileus. Postoperative ileus occurs after the intestines are manipulated during abdominal surgery and peristalsis is slow to return.

diarrhea

abnormally frequent loose and sometimes watery feces caused by infection, IBS, ulcerative colitis, lactose intolerance, and drugs. Feces move through the large intestine before the water can be absorbed.

ascites

accumulation of ascitic fluid in the abdominopelvic cavity. Liver disease and congestive heart failure cause a back up of blood. This increases the blood pressure in the veins of the abdomen. This pressure pushes fluid out of the blood and into the abdominopelvic cavity.

gastroenteritis

acute inflammation or infection of the stomach and intestines due to a virus (flu) or bacterium (contaminated food). there is abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Antiemetic drugs prevent vomiting (antibiotics or antidiarrheal drugs)

cholecystitis

acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder. Acute occurs when a gallstone blocks the cystic duct of the gallbladder. When the gallbladder contracts, the duct spasms, causing severe pain (biliary colic). Chronic occurs when a gallstone partially blocks the cystic duct, causing back up of bile and thickening of the gallbladder wall.

gastritis

acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach due to spicy foods, excess acid production, or a bacterial infection.

gluten sensitivity

an autoimmune disorder and toxic reaction to the gluten found in certain grains (wheat, barley, rye, oats). The small intestine is damaged by the inflammatory response. This is also known as celiac disease.

dysentery

bacterial infection caused by an unusual strain of E. coli in the large intestine. there is watery diarrhea mixed with blood and mucus. treat with antibiotics.

hematochezia

blood in the feces, the source can be an ulcer, cancer, Crohn's disease, polyp, diverticulum or hemorrhoid. Bright red blood indicates active bleeding in the lower GI system. Melena is a dark, tar-like feces that contains digested food from bleeding in the esophagus or stomach.

pancreatic cancer

cancerous tumor (adenocarcinoma) of the pancreas. Most patients are in the advances stage when they are diagnosed and so survival is usually less than one year.

colon cancer

cancerous tumor of the colon, it occurs with the colonic polyps or ulcerative colitis become cancerous. it is also linked to a high fat diet. There can be blood in the feces (colorectal adenocarcinoma)

liver cancer

cancerous tumor of the liver, usually a secondary cancer that began in another place and spread to the liver (hepatoma, or hepatocellular carcinoma)

stomach cancer

cancerous tumor of the stomach that usually begins in glands in the gastric mucosa. It is also known as gastric adenocarinoma

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

chronic inflammation and irritation due to reflux of stomach acid back into the esophagus. this occurs because the lower esophageal sphincter does not close tightly. there is a sore throat, belching, and esophagitis with chronic inflammation. this can lead to esophageal ulcers or cancer of the esophagus. Treat with small frequent meals, elevated sleep, avoid alcohol and foods that stimulate acid secretion.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

chronic inflammation of various parts of the small and large intestines. There is diarrhea, bloody feces, abdominal cramps, and fever. Two types: Crohn's disease or regional enteritis effects the ileum and colon Ulcerative colitis affects the colon and rectum and causes inflammation and ulcers. Treat with corticosteroid drugs to decrease inflammation

peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

chronic irritation, burning pain, and erosion of the mucosa to form an ulcer. A esophageal ulcer, a gastric ulcer in the stomach , and a duodenal ulcer are all peptic ulcers. Gastric ulcers are most commonly caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Ulcers can also be caused by excessive HCl, stress, and by drugs (asprin) that irritate the mucosa

cirrhosis

chronic progressive, inflammation and finally irreversible degeneration of the liver, with nodules and scarring. The cirrhotic liver is enlarged, and its function is severely impaired. There is nausea and vomiting, weakness, and jaundice. Caused by alcoholism, viral hepatitis, or chronic obstruction of the bile ducts.

colic

common disorder in babies, there is crampy abdominal pain soon after eating. It can be caused by over feeding, feeding too quickly, inadequate burping, or food allergies to milk.

anorexia

decreases appetite because of disease or GI side effects of a drug. Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder inwhich patients have an obsessive desire to be thin. Decreased food intake to point of starvation because see themselves as being fat.

dysphagia

difficult or painful eating or swallowing

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

disorder of the function of the colon, although the mucosa of the colon never shows any visible signs of inflammation syndrome consists of interrrelated symptoms and signs. There is cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating alternating with constipation, and excessive mucus. May be related to lactose intolerance and emotional stress (spastic colon or mucous colitis)

polyphagia

excessive overeating due to an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, or a psychiatric illness

constipation

failure to have regular, soft bowel movements can be due to decreased peristalsis, lack of dietary fiber, inadequate water intake, or the side effect of a drug. Obstipation is severe, unrelieved constipation that can lead to a mechanical obstruction of the bowel Fecalith is hardened feces that become stonelike mass Treat with laxative drugs, a high fiber diet, increased water intake and enemas.

steatorrhea

greasy, frothy, foul-smelling feces that contain undigested fats. Not enough lipase because of pancreatic disease or cystic fibrosis.

incontinence

inability to control bowel movements lower extremity paralysis, dementia

dyspepsia

indigestion or epigastric pain that may be accompanied by gas or nausea

cheilitis

inflammation and cracking of the lips and corners of the mouth due to infection, allergies, or nutritional deficiency

appendicitis

inflammation and infection of the appendix. Undigested material becomes trapped in the lumen of the appendix. There is steadily increasing abdominal pain that finally localizes to the right lower quadrant. An inflamed appendix can rupture, spilling infection into the abdominopelvic cavity and causing peritonitis.

hepatitis

inflammation and infection of the liver from the hepatitis virus. There is weakness, anorexia, nausea, fever, dark urine, and jaundice. Most common chronic liver disease.

peritonitis

inflammation and infection of the peritoneum, it occurs when an ulcer, diverticulum, or cancerous tumor eats through the wall of the stomach or intestines or when an inflamed appendix ruptures. Drainage and bacteria spill into the abdominopelvic cavity.

stomatitis

inflammation of the oral mucosa aphthous stomatitis- consists of small ulcers (canker sores) of the oral mucosa Glossitis- inflammation that involves only the tongue

proctitis

inflammation of the rectum due to radiation therapy or ulcers or infection of the rectum.

pancreatitis

inflammation or infection of the pancreas. there is abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. (gallstone in common bile duct or alcoholism)

nausea and vomiting (N&V)

nausea is an unpleasant, queasy feeling in the stomach that precedes the urge to vomit. the patient is said to be nauseated. it is caused by inflammation or infection of the stomach or by motion sickness. vomiting or emesis is the expelling of food from the stomach through the mouth. it is triggered when impulses from the stomach or inner ear stimulate the vomiting center of the brain. Vomit is the expelled food or chyme. Regurgitation is the reflux of small amounts of food and acid back into the mouth, but without vomiting. Hyperemesis gravidarum- excessive vomiting during the first months of pregnancy. due to changes in hormone levels

cholelithiasis

one or more gallstones in the gallbladder. When the bile is too concentrated, if forms a thick sediment (sludge) that gradually becomes gallstones. Choledocholithiasis- is a gallstone in the common bile duct

flatulence

presence of excessive amounts of flatus (gas) in the stomach or intestines

rectocele

protruding wall of the rectum pushes on the adjacent vaginal wall, causing it to collapse inward and block the vaginal canal - requires surgery

polyp

small, fleshy, benign or precancerous growth of the mucosa of the colon. Pedunculated polyp has a thin stalk that supports an irregular, ball-shaped top Sessile polyp is a mound with a broad base Benign familial polyposis is an inherited condition in which family members have multiple colon polyps Polyps can become cancerous

esphageal varices

swollen, protruding veins in the mucosa of the lower esophagus or stomach . Blood gets forced to take an alternate route through the gastroesphageal veins during liver disease, but eventually the veins become engorged. Irritated by passing food.

hemorrhoids

swollen, protruding veins in the rectum or on the skin around the anus. They are caused by increased intra-abdominal pressure from straining during a bowel movement. This dilates the veins with blood until they permanently protrude. Irritated as feces goes by it and its surface bleeds easily .

intussusception

telescoping of one segment of intestine inside the lumen of the next segment . There is vomiting and abdominal pain. The cause is unknown. Treat with surgery (bowel resection and anastomosis)

heartburn

temporary inflammation of the esophagus due to reflux of stomach acid (pyrosis)- treat with antacid drugs

volvulus

twisting of the intestine around itself because of a structural abnormality of the mesentery. There is vomiting and abdominal pain. if the blood vessels are also twisted, blood flow is stopped and the tissues die. It is also known as malrotation of the intestines.

hematemesis

vomiting of blood (emesis) because of bleeding in the stomach or esophagus. this can be due to an esophagealor gastric ulcer or esophageal varices.

hernia

weakness in the muscles of the diaphragm or abdominal wall. the intestine bulges through the defect. there is swelling and pain. there is an inherited tendency to hernias but hernias can also be caused by pregnancy, obesity or heavy lifting. Sliding or reducible hernia moves back and forth between the hernia sac and the abdominopelvic cavity. Incarcerated (irreducible) hernia, the intestine swells in the hernia sac and becomes trapped. The intestine can no longer be pushed back into the abdomen. Strangulated hernia is an incarcerated hernia whose blood supply has been cut off. (hiatal, ventral, umbilical, inguinal, incisional)

diverticulum

weakness in the wall of the colon where the mucosa forms a pouch or tube. Diverticula can be caused by eating a low fiber diet that forms small, compact feces. Then, increased intra-abdominal pressure and straining to pass those feces eventually creates diverticula. If feces become trapped in a diverticula, this causes inflammation, infection, abdominal pain, and fever (diverticulitis)

jaundice

yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, increased level of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood (diseased liver , immature liver, too much unconjugated bilirubin in the blood RBC destruction, gallstones)