what organs make up the lower GI
- small intestine: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum
- large intestine: ascending, transverse and descending colon
what is the mixture in the small intestine composed of?
- water
- unabsorbed food
- cellulose
- electrolytes like Na and K
what is the mixture in the large intestine composed of?
- absorbs 90% water and electrolytes
2. e. coli
what does e. coli do in the large intestine?
synthesize
- Vit B12
- Vit B1
- Vit B2
- Vit K
what is inflammatory bowel disease? with the 2 types
chronic inflammation of the lower GI tract that have waves of remission and exacerbation, maybe autoimmune
- Crohn’s disease
- ulcerative colitis
what is crohn’s disease
- slow developing progressive condition in the intestines
- patchy areas of inflammation of the walls and ulcers (lesions) that are separated by thickened elevations (nodules), giving it a cobblestone appearance
= walls become too thick = inability to absorb nutrients, increases intestinal motility but decreases digestion and absorption
complications of crohn’s disease (4)
- malnutrition
- anemia
- fistula formation
- adhesions
clinical manifestations (s/s) of crohn’s disease (8)
- RLQ abd cramping, potentially during defecating
- watery diarrhea (steatorrhea)
- constipation (intestinal lumen narrows)
- palpable abd mass
- melena (tarry, black bloody stool)
- anorexia
- weight loss
- s/s of inflammation
what is ulcerative colitis?
- progressive condition of the rectum and colons mucosa
- develops between 10-30 yo
- necrosis of the epithelial tissue = abscess formation, epithelial loss, or surface erosion
complications of ulcerative colitis? (9)
- malnutrition
- anemia
- hemorrhage
- perforation
- strictures
- fistulas
- toxic megacolon - rapid dilation
- colorectal carcinoma
- liver disease secondary to inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts
- fluid/electrolyte imbalance
clinical manifestations of ulcerative colitis? (6)
- diarrhea - watery and bloody
- tenesmus - rectal spasms
- proctitis - rectal inflammation
- N/V/Cramps
- pseudo-poylp - mass of scar tissue from granuloma formation from ulcers
- s/s of inflammation
diagnostic methods to diagnose ulcerative colitis? (5)
- abdominal x-ray
- CT/MRI of abdomen
- sigmoidoscopy
- colonoscopy
- biopsy
treatment of ulcerative colitis? (2)
- treat s/s
2. avoid triggers
