What does H. Pylori infection cause
Peptic ulcer disease (responsible for more than70%), acute/chronic gastritis, gastric cancer, MALT lymphoma
What has an additive effect with H. pylori
NSAIDS
When to test for H pylori`
H pylori tests
When/what h pylori tests should not be done in certain circumstances
Urea/SAT within 2 weeks of PPI or 4 weeks of Abx due to false negatives
When should h pylori retesting be done
Retesting should be performed at least 4 weeks (ideally 8 weeks) after treatment.
What instances require a H pylori retest
Severe persistent treatment not consistent with GORD, taking aspirin without PPI, peptic ulcer/MALT/resection of gastric carcinoma, high local resistance rates, if first test was done incorrectly like within 2 weeks of PPI etc.
H pylori treatment
Triple therapy, one PPI Two Abx
What Abx courses increase risks of resistance
Clarithromycin, metronidazole, or quinolone
What bacteria is associated with diarrhoea
C diff
First/second line treatment if no penicillin allergy h pylori
PPI+ amoxicillin + clari/metro (second line = same but use which ever one of clari/metro not used) all for 7 days
Alternative second line if no penicillin allergy h pylori
PPI+ amoxicillin + tetracycline/levofloxacin (used if clari and metro used)
h pylori Third line if no penicillin allergy
PPI+bismuth + 2 other unused Abx or rifabutin or furazolidone
Pen allergy first/alt first line h pylori treatment
PPI+Clari+metro, alt= PPI+ bismuth+ metro + tetracycline (if clari used first line)
Penicilin allergy second line h pylori
7 days of PPI+ metro+levofloxacin or PPI+ Bismuth+metro+tetra
H pylori Third line penicillin allergy
PPI+ bismuth+rifabutin/furazolidone
Two main types of antispasmodics
Antimuscarinics and smooth muscle relaxants
Examples of antimuscarinics
Atropine, dicycloverine, propantheline, hyoscine
Examples of smooth muscle relaxants
Alverine citrate, mebeverine, peppermint oil
Antimuscarinic GI MOA
Reduce intestinal motility and are used for GI smooth muscle spasm
What antimuscarinics are less likely to cross the BBB
Quaternary ammonium compounds = propantheline, hyoscine butylbromide meaning less CNS side effects
What antimuscarinics are less well absorbed from GI tract
Quaternary ammonium compounds = propantheline, hyoscine butylbromide
Constipation is
Infrequent stools, difficult stool passage, or seemingly incomplete defaecation.
When is urgent investigation needed for constipation
New onset constipation in over 50s / accompanying symptoms like anaemia, abdominal pain, weight loss, overt/occult blood in stool due to risk of malignancy/serious bowl disorder