Diseases Of The Gastrointestinal System Long Essays
Question 1. Describe the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis & management of reflux oesophagitis.
Answer:
Reflux Oesophagitis
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Definition:
- Reflux Oesophagitis is defined as the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus resulting in inflammation of the esophagus caused by H+ ions, pepsin & bile salts.
 
Pathophysiology

Gastrointestinal system diseases long essay
Clinical Features:
- Heartburn
 - Acid eructation.
 - Painful swallowing.
 - Transient dysphagia, n Strictures.
 - Iron deficiency anaemia. b Hoarseness of voice.
 - Acid erosion of incisors.
 - Pneumonia.
 
Diagnosis:

- General Measures
- Weight reduction
 - Avoid alcohol & smoking.
 - Avoid sleeping immediately after large meals.
 - Avoid the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
 - Use of small volumes and frequent meals.
 
 - Medical Measures:
- In mild cases.
- Liquid antacid – 10 – 15 ml 1 – 3 hours after meals.
 
 - In moderate cases – H2 antagonists are used.
- Cimetidine – 400 mg.
 - Ranitidine – 150 mg BD or QID with meals. & before bed for 6 weeks.
 
 - In severe cases – proton pump inhibitors are used.
- Omeprazole – 20 – 40 mg/ day.
 - Lansoprazole – 15 – 30 mg/ day.
 - Pantaprazole – 40 mg/ day.
 - Rabiprazole – 10 – 20 mg/day.
 
 - Other
- Metoclopramide 10 mg TID increases the lower oesophageal sphincter.
 
 
 - In mild cases.
 - Surgical Treatment:
- Repair of the sphincter.
 - Construction of additional valve mechanism.
 
 
Read And Learn More: General Medicine Question and Answers
Question 2. Describe etiology. Clinical features, diagnosis & management of peptic ulcer.
Answer:
Peptic Ulcer:
- It is defined as the presence of an ulcer in the lower esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, in the jejunum after surgery to the stomach.
 - It is a breach in the mucosa.
 
Etiology:
- Hereditary.
 - Helicobacter pylori infection.
 - Smoking.
 - Corticosteroids
 - Acid-pepsin versus mucosal resistance.
 - Alcohol consumption.
 
Pathogenesis:

Long essay on GI tract disorders
Peptic Ulcer Clinical Features:
- It is chronic condition
 - Epigastric pain.
 - Hunger pain – occurring in an empty stomach.
 - Night pain – wakes the patient from sleep.
 - Episodic pain.
 - Excessive salivation.
 - Heart bum.
 - Loss of appetite.
 - Nausea, vomiting anorexia.
 - Haematemesis.
 - Weight loss.
 
Peptic Ulcer Investigations:

Peptic Ulcer Treatment:
- General Measures:
- Avoid smoking
 - Avoid alcohol consumption
 - Avoid NSAIDs
 
 - Medical Treatment:
- Antacids
- 15 – 30 ml liquid, 1 – 3 hours after food and before bedtime for 4-6 weeks.
 
 - H2 receptor antagonists.
- Cimetidine – 400 mg BD
 - Ranitidine – 150 mg BD
 
 - Proton pump inhibitor.
- Omeprazole – 20 mg daily for 4 – 8 weeks.
 - Lansoprazole – 15 – 30 mg daily for 4-8 weeks.
 - Pantaprazole – 40 mg daily for 4-8 weeks.
 
 - Prostaglandin analogs.
- Misoprostol – 200 mg 4 times daily.
 
 
 - Antacids
 - Surgical Treatment:
- Truncal vagotomy + pyloroplasty.
 - Partial gastrectomy.
 - Elective surgery.
 
 
Question 3. Discuss the etiology, clinical features, and management of malabsorption syndrome.
Answer:
Malabsorption Syndrome:
- Malabsorption Syndrome refers to the defective absorption of one or more essential nutrients through the intestine.
 
Etiology:
- Pancreatic disorders.
- Chronic pancreatitis
 - Cystic fibrosis
 - Malignancy pancreas.
 
 - Disorders causing deficiency of bile acids.
- Interruption of enterohepatic circulation.
 - Abnormal bacterial proliferation in small intestine.
 - Drugs like neomycin.
 - Inadequate absorptive surface.
 - Mucosal defects.
- Mucosal defects.
 - Tropical sprue.
 - Lymphoma.
 - Amyloidosis.
 
 
 - Biochemical or genetic abnormalities.
- Disaccharidase deficiency.
 - Hypogammaglobulinaemia.
 
 - Metabolic defects.
- Diabetes mellitus
 - Addison’s disease
 
 - Specific malabsorption.
- Lactose deficiency.
 - Vitmai B12 malabsorption.
 
 
Malabsorption Syndrome Clinical Features:
- General Features:
- 3 health
 - Loss of weight
 - Lazziness, lassitude
 - Fatigue, weakness.
 
 - GIT symptoms
- Diarrhea
 - Abdominal pain, distension.
 - Stomatitis, glossitis, cheilosis.
 
 - Genitourinary.
- Nocturia.
 - Loss of libido.
 
 - Hematopoietic.
- Anaemia.
 
 - Skeletal
- Bone pain
 - Tetany
 - Muscle wasting
 
 - Nervous system
- Night blindness
 - Xerophthalmia.
 - Peripheral neuropathy.
 
 - Skin
- Purpura.
 - Hyperkeratosis
 - Edema of legs
 
 
Malabsorption Syndrome Management:
- Use of gluten-free diet.
 - Use of a low-fat diet and cholestyramine.
 - Replacement therapy for anemia, bone disease, and coagulation defects.
 - Vitamins and minerals supplementation.
 - Oral administration of folic acid & iron.
 - Intravenous fluid administration for dehydration.
 - Use of corticosteroids to suppress immunological responses.
 
Digestive system diseases long questions
Question 4. How will you investigate a case of dysphagia? Enumerate conditions causing dysphagia.
Answer:
Dysphagia:
- It is defined as difficulty in swallowing.
 
Dysphagia Causes:
- Mechanical narrowing of the esophagus.
- Intrinsic causes.
- Congenital atresia.
 - Stomatitis, glossitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
 - Benign or malignant tumors.
 - Oesophageal stricture or ulceration.
 
 - Extrinsic causes.
- Retropharyngeal abscess.
 - Enlarged thyroid gland.
 - Aortic aneurysm.
 
 
 - Intrinsic causes.
 - Motor dysphagia.
- Lower motor neuron paralysis.
 - Neuromuscular paralysis.
 - Oesophageal muscle weakness.
 - Paralysis of the oesophageal sphincter.
 
 
Dysphagia Investigations:
