Term |
Definition |
Cause |
Effect
(Symptoms) |
| Appendicitis |
Appendicitis
is inflammation of the appendix. |
Acute
Appendicitis became common in the
20th century (approx. the last 100 years),
usually affecting young people, including
children. Unusual positions of the appendix
may result in pain at different locations,
causing difficulty in diagnosis.
Chronic Appendicitis was
a common diagnosis in the 1950s - 1970s
to explain recurrent pains in the lower
abdomen. Chronic appendicitis is rare and
such pains are not usually cured by an appendicectomy. |
 |
The first symptom is usually abdominal
pain, initially central, then later
(with tenderness) in the right-lower
abdomen, over the appendix. |
|
Abdominal pain is sometimes
accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea
- though any fever is slight. |
If not treated by surgical removal
(appendicectomy) of the appendix, appendicitis
may progress to cause an abscess, or generalised
peritonitis. Recurrent pains in the lower
abdomen might also be expected. |
| |
| Cirrhosis of
the liver |
Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition
in which the liver responds to the injury
of death of some of its cells by producing
interlacing strands of fibrous tissue, between
which are nodules of re-generating cells.
The liver therefore becomes tawny and characteristically
knobbly (due to the nodules). |
Possible causes include: |
|
Alcoholism
(alcoholic cirrhosis) |
|
Viral hepatitis
(postnecrotic cirrhosis) |
|
Chronic obstruction of the common
bile duct
(secondary bilary cirrhosis) |
|
Auto-Immune Diseases (chronic
aggressive hepatitis, primary biliary
cirrhosis) |
|
Chronic heart failure
(cardiac cirrhosis) |
|
Complications include: |
|
Portal hypertension |
|
Ascites (accumulation of fluid
in the peritoneal cavity) |
|
Hepatic encephalopathy |
|
Hepatoma |
Cirrhosis cannot be
cured but its progress may be stopped
if the cause is removed. |
|
|
| Jaundice
is a yellowing of the skin
or the whites of the eyes, indicating excess
bilirubin (which is a bile pigment) in the
blood. There are three types of jaundice
- each of which can be treated separately: |
Obstructive
jaundice |
Obstructive jaundice
happens when bile made in the liver fails
to reach the intestines due to obstruction
of the bile ducts. Such obstruction may
be due to gall stones or to cholestasis. |
|
Dark Urine |
|
Pale faeces |
|
Itching |
|
| Hepatocellular
jaundice |
Hepatocellular jaundice
is caused by diseased liver cells - e.g.
in hepatitis, when the liver is not able
to utilize bilirubin so it accumulates in
the blood. |
|
Urine may be dark,
but faeces retain colour |
|
| Haemolytic
jaundice |
Haemolytic jaundice
occurs when there is excessive destruction
of red cells (erythrocytes)
in the blood. This situation may be referred
to by the medical term "icterus". |
|
Urine and faeces of
normal colour. |
|
|
| Heartburn (also
known as "pyrosis") |
See "Effect"
(far right column) |
Usually caused by re-gurgitation of contents
of the stomach into the oesophagus, or by
oesophagitis. |
Discomfort or pain, usually "burning"
pain, that is felt behind the sternum (breastbone)
and often seems to rise from the abdomen
towards or into the throat. This pain may
be accompanied by the sensation of of acid
or bitter fluid in the mouth. |
|
| Hernia |
The protrusion of
an organ or tissue outside of the body cavity
inside which it is normally located. |
The most common type
of hernia is the
hiatus hernia, in
which the stomach
passes, partly or completely, into the chest
cavity through the hole ("hernia")
for the oesophagus
(which is also known colloquially as the
"windpipe" or "gullet"). |
Complications of hernias
may include the hernia becoming: |
|
impossible to return
to their normal state (irreducible). |
|
swollen and fixed within their
sac (incarcerated). |
|
cut-off from their blood supply,
becoming painful and eventually gangrenous
(strangulated). |
The usual medical treatment for hernias
(especially painful ones) is surgical repair. |
| |
Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS) |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is also known
as "IBS", "spastic colon",
and "mucous colitis".
This is a common condition in which recurrent
abdominal pain in combination with constipation
and/or diarrhea can persist for years without
other more general deterioration in the
person's physical health. |
Cause is unknown but IBS is often associated
with stress or anxiety and may follow severe
infection of the intestine.
Tests may be carried out to eliminate specific
organic diseases and possible causes of
the symptoms. |
Re. Effects/Symptoms:
There is no detectable structural
disease but some symptoms may be due
to |
|
abnormal muscular contractions
in the intestine. |
|
heightened sensitivity to stimuli
such as stretching or distension. |
Treatment may involve: |
|
reducing or removing
anxiety (e.g. psychotherapy) |
|
dietary adjustment |
|
faecal softening agents |
|
drugs to reduce spasm and/or reduce
sensitivity to pain |
|
|
| Ulcer |
An ulcer
is a break in the skin
that extends through all its layers, or
a break in the membrane lining the alimentary
tract that fails to heal and may also
be inflamed. |
See
note for specific types of ulcers - below. |
See
note for specific types of ulcers - below. |
| |
An
Aphtha is a small
ulcer that occurs either singly or in groups
in the mucous membrane of the mouth. Aphtha
have the appearance of white or red spots,
sometimes covered with a white or grey exudate. |
There is no single
disease known to cause aphthae (plural).
However, factors associated with the
occurrence of aphthae may include: |
|
stress |
|
weakened immune system (due to
stress, or for other reasons) |
|
bacteria / viruses |
|
allergies to any of a wide range
of common foodstuffs, incl. e.g. coffee,
chocolate, cheese, nuts, citrus fruits,
potatoes. |
|
The main effects of aphthae
(plural) are pain and irritation
at the site of the aphthae. This may be
so severe that eating is uncomfortable,
and so reduced, when aphthae are present
in the mouth.
Aphthae may occasionally
affect other body tissues, including those
of the GI tract and the external genitals.
If recurrent, scarring may
occur.
More
about Aphthae.
|
| |
Duodenal
Ulcer |
Duodenal
ulcers are caused by the action of acid
and pepsin on the duodenal lining (mucosa)
of a susceptible person.
Duodenal ulcers are usually associated with
an increased output of stomach acid.
The antrum of the stomach is almost always
infected with helicobacter pylori. |
Symptoms may include pain in the upper
abdomen (especially when the stomach is
empty), which may disappear for weeks or
months.
Vomiting may also occur.
Complications may include
bleeding, perforation, and obstruction
due to scarring.
Medical treatment may include
the use of drugs to relieve the symptoms.
Surgery is now only rarely necessary.
|
| |
A Gastric
Ulcer is an ulcer in the
stomach. |
Causes of gastric ulcers
may include: |
|
The action of acid,
pepsin, and bile on the lining of
the stomach (mucosa). However, the
output of stomach acid is not usually
increased. |
|
Taking NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory
drugs) or corticosteroids may be pre-disposing
factors. |
|
helicobacter pylori is
often present. |
|
|
Symptoms may include
vomiting and pain in the upper abdomen
soon after eating. |
|
Complications may include bleeding,
perforation and obstruction due to
scarring. |
|
Medical treatment may include
the use of antacids to relieve symptoms
and/or anti-secretory drugs to heal
the ulcer(s).
Surgery may be recommended if the
ulcer fails to heal following initial
treatment. |
|
Gastric ulcers are usually examined
using a gastroscope to confirm the
diagnosis of a gastric ulcer, as opposed
to other conditions such as stomach
cancer. |
|
| |
A Peptic
Ulcer is a breach in the
lining (mucosa) of the digestive tract. |
Peptic
ulcers are caused by digestion of the mucosa
by pepsin and acid. This may happen when
pepsin and acid are present in abnormally
high concentrations or when something else
reduces the normal protective mechanisms
of the mucosa. Bile salts may be involved,
especially in cases of stomach ulcers.
A peptic ulcer may
be found in: |
|
the oesophagus |
|
the stomach
(gastric ulcer) |
|
the duodenum
(duodenal ulcer) |
|
the jejunum |
|
in a Meckel's diverticulum |
|
close to a gastroenterostomy |
|
There may not be any
obvious symptoms, but many people
experience abdominal pain - usually
just below the sternum.
Effects/Symptoms of a peptic ulcer
can include: |
|
abdominal pain
- often just below the sternum (="breastbone"),
may be a persistent burning pain that
extends to he person's back.
In some cases this pain may begin
approx. 20 mins after eating, or it
may awaken the person at night. |
|
heartburn |
|
regurgitating food |
|
vomiting |
|
bitter taste in the mouth |
|
