Tag: abdominal and gastrointestinal disorders
- Hepatitis ()
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus. In […]
- Lower GI Bleed ()
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a term used for any bleeding that occurs within the GI tract from mouth to anus. GI bleeding can be categorized into upper and lower in origin. The ligament of Treitz is commonly used as the point to differentiate the two. Bleeds proximal to the ligament are upper GI bleeds, and […]
- Upper GI Bleed ()
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common problem with an annual incidence of approximately 80 to 150 per 100,000 population, with estimated mortality rates between 2% to 15%. UGIB is classified as any blood loss from a gastrointestinal source above the ligament of Treitz. It can manifest as hematemesis (bright red emesis or coffee-ground emesis), […]
- Pediatric Gastrointeritis ()
Gastroenteritis in the pediatric population is a very common disease that could be lethal. It accounts for around 10% of pediatric deaths, estimating 70 million deaths per year around the globe making it the second cause of death worldwide. The most common cause in infants younger than 24 months old is rotavirus, after 24 months of […]
- Anatomy Of The Abdomen & Pelvis ()
The definition of the human abdomen is the anterior region of the trunk between the thoracic diaphragm superiorly and the pelvic brim inferiorly. Understanding the anatomy of the abdomen will ultimately serve as one’s cornerstone to understanding, diagnosing, and treating the pathology within. Structure and Function The abdomen ultimately serves as a cavity to house vital organs of the digestive, […]
- Abdominal Pain Location Vs Illness/Injury ()
Abdominal signs and symptoms can be from a wide variety of disease processes to include vascular, infectious, trauma, autoimmune, musculoskeletal, idiopathic, neoplastic, congenital, etc. The details below are not meant to serve as an exhaustive list; however, it should serve as a guide for commonly encountered pathology within their respective quadrants and can help guide […]
- Peritoneal & Retroperitoneal Structures ()
The peritoneum is the serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. It is composed of mesothelial cells that are supported by a thin layer of fibrous tissue and is embryologically derived from the mesoderm. The peritoneum serves to support the organs of the abdomen and acts as a conduit for the passage of nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatics. […]
- History & Physical Of Acute Abdomen Patients ()
Ok, So Where Does It Hurt? Just figuring out exactly where the patient is experiencing pain is a logical first move to being able to figure out the nature of the patient’s problem. Unfortunately, the emergency department is not really in a position to perform definitive test for conditions related to the abdomen. They are […]
- Abdominal Pain Conditions ()
Hernia A hernia happens when part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a weak area of muscle. Most hernias are in the abdomen. There are several types of hernias, including: Inguinal, in the groin. This is the the most common type. Umbilical, around the belly button Incisional, through a scar Hiatal, a small […]
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding ()
An ambulance crew is summoned to a patient’s house where the patietn is complaining of abdominal pain. When asked about vomiting, the patient confides that she has been vomiting blood in the toilet. Like clockwork, the other crewmember moves toward the toilet to inspect. Your digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract includes the esophagus, stomach, small […]