Digestive System

1. Digestive System Diseases and Injuries

2. Appendicitis • An acute inflammation of the appendix, usually resulting from an obstruction and infection • Symptoms • Generalized abdominal pain (at LLQ) • Nausea/vomiting • Mild fever • Elevated WBC count

3. Appendicitis • If it ruptures, the infectious material will spill into the peritoneal cavity causing peritonitis • Tx • Appendectomy • Surgical removal of the appendix

4. Cholecystitis • An inflammation of the gallbladder • Gallstones form from crystallized cholesterol, bile salts, and bile pigments causing Cholelithiasis • Symptoms (after eating fatty foods) • Indigestion • Nausea/vomiting • Pain that starts under the rib cage and radiates to the right shoulder

5. Cholecystitis • If gallstone blocks the bile ducts, the gallbladder can rupture and cause peritonitis • Tx • Low-fat diet • Lithotripsy (shockwaves used to shatter gallstones) • Cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder)

6. Cirrhosis • A chronic destruction of liver cells accompanied by the formation of fibrous connective and scar tissue • Causes • Hepatitis • Bile duct disease • Chemical toxins • Malnutrition associated with alcoholism

7. Cirrhosis • Symptoms vary and eventually become more severe • Liver enlargement • Anemia • Indigestion • Nausea • Edemain the legs and feet • Hematemesis (vomiting blood) • Nosebleeds • Jaundice (yellow discoloration) • Ascites (an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal peritoneal cavity)

8. Cirrhosis • Liver fails • Disorientation • Hallucinations • Hepatic coma • Death

9. Cirrhosis • Tx • Prevention of further damage • Alcohol avoidance • Proper nutrition • Vitamin supplements • Diuretics (to reduce ascites and edema) • Rest • Infection prevention • Appropriate exercise • Liver transplant

10. Constipation • Fecal material remains in the colon too long, causing excessive reabsorption of water • Feces or stool becomes hard, dry, and difficult to eliminate

11. Constipation • Causes • Poor bowel habits • Chronic laxative use leading to “lazy” bowel • Diet low in fiber • Certain digestive diseases • Tx • High fiber diet • Adequate fluids • Exercise • Laxatives (on occasion)

12. Constipation

13. Stool Chart

14. Diarrhea • Condition characterized by frequent watery stools • Causes • Infection • Stress • Diet • An irritated colon • Toxic substances • Extremely dangerous in infants/children because of extreme fluid loss

15. Diarrhea • Tx • Eliminating the cause • Adequate fluid intake • Modifying the diet

16. Diverticulitis • An inflammation of the diverticula, pouches (or sacs) that form in the intestine as the mucosal lining pushes through the surrounding muscle • When fecal mater and bacteria become trapped inflammation occurs • Can result in abscess or rupture

17. Diverticulitis • Symptoms • Abdominal pain • Irregular bowel movements • Flatus (gas) • Constipation/diarrhea • Abdominal distention(swelling) • Low-grade fever • Nausea/vomiting

18. Diverticulitis • Tx • Antibiotics • Stool-softening medications • Pain medications • High-fiber diets • Surgery (in severe cases)

19. Gastroenteritis • An inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the stomach and intestinal tract • Causes • Food poisoning • Infection • Toxins • Symptoms • Abdominal cramping • Nausea • Vomiting • Fever • Diarrhea

20. Gastroenteritis • Tx • Rest • Increased fluid intake • Antibiotics • Intravenous fluid intake • Medications to slow peristalsis

21. Hemorrhoids • Painful dilated or varicose veins of the rectum and or anus • Causes • Straining to defecate • Constipation • Pressure during pregnancy • Insufficient fluid intake • Laxative abuse • Prolonged sitting or standing

22. Hemorrhoids • Symptoms • Pain • Itching • Bleeding • Tx • High-fiber diet • Increased fluid intake • Stool softeners • Sitz baths/warm, moist compresses • Hemorrhoidectomy (surgical removal of the hemorrhoids)

23. Hemorrhoids

24. Hepatitis • A viral inflammation of the liver • Type A/HAV/infectious hepatitis: highly contagious and is transmitted in food or water contaminated by the feces of an infected person • Most benign form • Type B/HBV/serum hepatitis: transmitted by body fluids • More serious • Can lead to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis

25. Hepatitis • Type C/HCV: spread via blood or body fluids • More likely to progress to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or both • No vaccine

26. Hepatitis • Symptoms • Fever • Anorexia (lack of appetite) • Nausea • Vomiting • Fatigue • Dark-colored urine • Clay-colored stool • Myalgia (muscle pain) • Enlarged liver • Jaundice

27. Hepatitis • Tx • Rest • High-protein diet • High-calorie diet • Liver transplant

28. Hernia • When an internal organ pushes through a weakened area or natural opening in a body wall • Hiatal hernia: the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity through the opening for the esophagus

29. Hernia • Symptoms • Heartburn • Stomach distention • Chest pain • Difficult swallowing • Tx • Bland diet • Small frequent meals • Staying upright after eating • Surgical repair

30. Hernia • Inguinal hernia: section of the small intestine protrudes through the inguinal rings of the lower abdominal wall • If cannot be reduced, a heriniorrhaphy (surgical repair) is performed

31. Pancreatitis • Inflammation of the pancreas • Enzymes begin to ingest the pancreas itself, and the pancreas becomes necrotic, inflamed, and edematous • If damage extends to blood vessels in the pancreas, hemorrhage and shock occur

32. Pancreatitis • Causes • Excessive alcohol consumption • Blockage of pancreatic ducts by gallstones • Idiopathic (unknown causes) • Symptoms • Severe abdominal pain that radiates to back • Nausea • Vomiting • Diaphoresis (excessive perspiration) • Jaundice if swelling blocks the common bile duct