1. Diseases of the Digestive System
Principles of Health Science 2012

2. Appendicitis
Acute inflammation of the appendix usually caused by an obstruction and infection

3. Symptoms: (2) Nausea and vomiting (3) Mild fever
(1)Generalized abdominal pain that later localizes at the lower right
(2) Nausea and vomiting
(3) Mild fever
(4) Elevated white blood cell count

6. If appendix ruptures, infectious material spills out into peritoneal cavity and causes peritonitis, a serious condition

7. Treatment:
Appendectomy-
Removal of the appendix

8. Cholecystitis A. Inflammation of the gallbladder
B. Cholelithiasis: gallstones form from crystallized cholesterol, bile salts, and bile pigments

10. Symptoms: (1)frequently occur after eating fatty foods
(2) Indigestion, nausea and vomiting
(3) Pain under the rib that radiates to the right shoulder
(4) If gallstone blocks bile ducts, gallbladder can rupture and cause peritonitis

11. Treatment: (1) Low fat diets
(2) Lithotripsy: shock waves to shatter gallstones
(3) Cholecystectomy: surgical removal of gallbladder

14. Cirrhosis
Chronic destruction of liver cells accompanied by the formation of fibrous connective and scar tissue

15. Causes: Malnutrition associated with alcoholism Hepatitis
Bile duct disease
Chemical toxins

17. Symptoms: (1) Vary and become more severe as disease progresses
 (2) enlargement of the liver
 (3) anemia and nosebleeds
(4) indigestion, nausea and vomiting
 (5) jaundice or yellow discoloration

19. (5) ascites or an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

20. (6) When liver function fails, disorientation, hallucinations, hepatic coma, and death occur

21. Treatment: (2) Avoiding alcohol and preventing infections
(1) Directed toward preventing further damage to the liver
(2) Avoiding alcohol and preventing infections
(3) Proper nutrition and vitamin supplements
(4) Rest and appropriate exercise are encouraged

22. Constipation
a. Condition that occurs when fecal material remains in the colon too long, causing excessive reabsorption of water
b. Feces or stool becomes hard, dry, and difficult to eliminate

23. Causes: poor bowel habits
chronic use of laxatives, causing a “lazy” bowel
diets low in fiber
certain digestive diseases

24. Treatment:
Usually corrected by a diet high in fiber, adequate fluids, and exercise
(1) At times, laxatives used to stimulate defecation
(2) Frequent use of laxatives may be habit forming and lead to chronic constipation

25. Diarrhea
Condition characterized by frequent watery stools

26. Causes:
Infections
Stress
Diet
An irritated colon
Toxic substances

27. Extremely dangerous in infants and small children due to the excessive loss of fluids

28. Treatment: (1) Eliminate the cause (2) Provide adequate fluid intake
(3) Modify the diet

29. Diverticulitis
(1) Inflammation of diverticula, pouches or sacs that form in the intestine as the mucosal lining pushes through the surrounding muscle
(2) When fecal material and bacteria become trapped in diverticula, inflammation occurs
(3) Can cause an abscess or rupture leading to peritonitis

30. Symptoms: (2) Abdominal pain
(1) Vary depending on the amount of inflammation
(2) Abdominal pain
(3) Irregular bowel movements and flatus (gas)
(4) Constipation or diarrhea
(5) Abdominal distention (swelling)
(6) Low-grade fever
(7) Nausea and vomiting

31. Treatment: (1) Antibiotics, stool softening and pain medications
(2) Surgery to remove the affected section of colon

32. Gastroenteritis
Inflammation of mucous membrane lining the stomach and intestinal tract

33. Causes:
food poisoning
Infections
toxins

34. Symptoms:
abdominal cramping
nausea
vomiting
fever
diarrhea

35. Treatment: (1) Usually rest and increased fluid intake
(2) In severe cases, antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and medications to slow peristalsis may be used

36. Hemorrhoids
Painful, dilated or varicose veins of rectum and/or anus

38. Causes: (1) Straining to defecate or constipation
(2) Pressure during pregnancy
(3) Insufficient fluid intake
(4) Abuse of laxatives
(5) Prolonged sitting or standing

39. Symptoms:
Pain
Itching
Bleeding

40. Treatment: (1) High fiber diet and increased fluid intake
(2) Stool softeners
(3) Sitz baths or warm moist compresses
(4) Hemorrhoidectomy in severe cases

41. Hepatitis
Viral inflammation of the liver

42. Type A (HAV) or infectious hepatitis
(a) Highly contagious
(b) Transmitted in food or water that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person
(c) Vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A

43. Type B (HBV) or serum hepatitis
(a) Transmitted by blood and serum
(b) More serious than type A and can lead to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver
(c) Hepatitis B vaccine recommended for all health workers

44. Other strains of hepatitis include Types C, D, and E

45. Symptoms: Fever Anorexia Nausea Vomiting Fatigue Dark colored urine
Clay-colored stool
Enlarged liver
Jaundice

46. Treatment:
(1) Rest
(2) Diet high in protein and calories and low in fat
(3) Liver transplant may be necessary if liver is severely damaged

47. Hernia or rupture
Occurs when an internal organ pushes through a weakened area or natural opening in a body wall

48. Hiatal Hernia:
Stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity through the opening for the esophagus

49. Symptoms: heartburn distention of the stomach chest pain
difficulty in swallowing

50. Treatment: bland diet small, frequent meals
not lying down after eating
surgical repair

51. Inguinal hernia:
Section of the small intestine protrudes through the inguinal rings of the lower abdominal wall

52. Treatment:
If the hernia cannot be reduced, or pushed back in place, a herniorrhapy, or surgical repair, is done

53. Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas in which pancreatic enzymes begin to digest the pancreas

54. Pancreas becomes necrotic, inflamed, and edematous

55. If damage extends to blood vessels in the pancreas, hemorrhage and shock occur

56. Causes: (2) Blockage of pancreatic ducts by gall stones
(1) Excessive alcohol consumption
(2) Blockage of pancreatic ducts by gall stones
(3) Many cases are idiopathic, or of unknown cause

57. Symptoms: Severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back Nausea
Vomiting
diaphoresis (excessive perspiration)
Jaundice if swelling blocks the common bile duct

58. Treatment: Treatment depends on the cause
(1) Cholecystectomy if gallstones are the cause
(2) Analgesics for pain
(3) Nutritional support if the cause is alcoholism or idiopathic
(4) Pancreatitis caused by alcoholism has a poor prognosis and often results in death

59. Peritonitis Inflammation of the abdominal peritoneal cavity
(1) Usually occurs when a rupture in the intestine allows fecal contents to enter this cavity
(2) Ruptured appendix or gallbladder are causes

61. Symptoms:
Abdominal pain and distention
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting

62. Treatment:
antibiotics and surgical repair

63. Ulcer
Open sore on the lining of the digestive tract
Peptic ulcers include gastric (stomach) ulcers and duodenal ulcers

65. Causes: Major cause is Heliobacter pylori (H. pylori)
(1) Bacterium that burrows into stomach membranes
(2) Allows stomach acids and digestive juices to create an ulcer

66. Symptoms: burning pain indigestion hematemesis (bloody vomitus)
melena (dark, tarry stool)

67. Treatment: (2) Decreasing stress
(1) Antacids and bland diet
(2) Decreasing stress
(3) Avoiding irritants such as alcohol, fried food, tobacco, and caffeine
(4) If H. pylori bacteria present, treatment with antibiotics and a bismuth preparation, such as Pepto-Bismol, usually cures condition
(5) In severe cases, surgery to remove the affected area
(6) Antibiotics to kill bacteria that can cause ulcers

68. Ulcerative Colitis
Severe inflammation of the colon with the formation of ulcers and abscesses
Thought to be caused by stress, allergic reactions to food, or an autoimmune reaction

70. Symptoms: (1) Main one is diarrhea with blood, pus, and mucus
(2) Others are weight loss, weakness, abdominal pain, anemia, and anorexia
(3) Periods of remission and exacerbation are common

71. Treatment: (1) Directed toward controlling inflammation
(2) Reduce stress with mild sedation
(3) Maintain proper nutrition
(4) Avoid substances that aggravate the condition

72. (5) In some cases, surgical removal of affected colon
aa. Creation of a colostomy
bb. Artificial opening in colon to allow fecal material to be excreted
through abdominal wall