GI Health Concerns

Anorexia Eti: Disease or GI side effects of a drug S/S: decreased appetite TX: correct underlying cause ** Different than anorexia nervosa, a mental condition in which patients have an obsessive desire to be thin. An- without; not Orex/o = appetite -ia = condition; state; thing

Dysphagia Eti: oral infection, stroke S/S: difficult or painful swallowing TX:  Antibiotics for infection  Soft, easy to swallow foods Dys- = painful Phag/o- = swallowing; eating -ia = condition; state; thing

Cheilitis Eti:  Infections  Allergies  Nutritional deficiency  exposure S/S: Inflammation and cracking of lips and corners of mouth TX: ointment/chapstick, treat underlying cause Cheil/o- = lip -itis = inflammation

Sialolithiasis Eti: trauma or local infection S/S:  Blocked duct  Gland, mouth, face swollen  Pain when gland contracts TX: surgical removal of stone Sial/o = saliva; salivary gland -lith = stone

Stomatitis Eti: poorly fitting dentures or infection S/S: infection of oral mucosa  “canker sores” TX:  correct fit  Treat infection

Dyspepsia Eti:  Excess stomach acid reflux  Overeating  Stress  Spicy foods S/S:  epigastric pain  Gas  Nausea TX:  antacids Dys- = painful Peps/o- = digestion -ia = condition; state; thing

Esophageal Varices Eti: liver disease causes blood to back up from intestines to liver, blood is forced to take alternate route S/S:  Pain with eating  Hemmorrhage TX:  Correct liver disease  Injection into varice

Gastroenteritis Eti:  virus (flu)  Bacterium (food poisoning) S/S:  Abdominal pain  Nausea  Vomitting  Diarrhea TX:  antiemetic drugs  Antidiarrheal  Antibiotic drugs for bacteria Norovirus

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Eti:  Lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly  chronic inflammation and irritation due to reflux of stomach acid S/S:  Sore throat  Esophagitis  Ulcers  Cancer TX:  Eat small meals  Elevate head while sleeping  Avoid alcohol and acidic foods  antacids

Intussusception = telescoping of one segement of intestestine inside another. Eti: unknown S/S:  Vomiting  Abdominal pain TX:  Surgery (bowel resection) Intussuscep/o- = to receive; within -tion = a process; being or having