Gastrointestinal diseases are diseases of gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal tract or digestive system tract is system of serially connected organs from the mouth to the anus. Mouth, Pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus are major regions of digestive system. Symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases are of various types. These symptoms can occur in isolation or […]
Digestive System
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Alcoholic liver disease is a spectrum of liver of injury caused by heavy and prolonged alcohol use, ranging from simple fatty liver to frank cirrhosis. The burden of alcohol-related disease is highest in the developed world. Alcoholic liver disease may be classified as: Alcoholic fatty liver Alcoholic hepatitis Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver Multiple stages that […]
Portal Hypertension – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Portal hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure within a system of veins called the portal venous system. Normal portal pressure is generally considered to be between 5 and 10 mm Hg. Once the portal pressure rises to 12 mm, complications arise. Relevant Anatomy and Physiology The portal venous system refers to the vessels […]
Ascites Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prognsosis
Ascites refers to the collection within the abdominal cavity. In Greek, the word askos means bag or sac. The collected fluid is called the ascitic fluid. It can be caused by many disorders but the most common cause is portal hypertension due to cirrhosis which results in increased pressure in the veins that bring blood […]
Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency or α1-antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that may cause lung disease and liver disease. The signs and symptoms of the condition and the age at which they appear vary among individuals. It is an autosomal-codominant condition with more than 120 alleles identified. Out of them, PiZZ is responsible for nearly […]
Cirrhosis of Liver- Causes, Presentation and Treatment
Cirrhosis of liver condition characterized by hepatic cell necrosis, resulting in the collapse of hepatic architecture and nodular regeneration along with regenerative attempts leading to the formation of nodules. It is a progressive condition and develops over many years, slowly. Eventually, unabated, it could end the liver function. Cirrhosis is caused by many different diseases, […]
Viral Hepatitis – Presentation and Treatment
Viral hepatitis can be caused by any one of the Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis E and Delta virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, rubella virus and virus of yellow fever. Hepatitis A Virus This is an RNA virus transmitted by feco-oral route. Incubation period is 2-6 weeks. It leads to acute […]
Clinical Examination Of Abdomen
Like all other examinations, the examination of the abdomen begins with the history of the patient. A patient of abdominal disorder may present with numerous symptoms which must be asked whilst taking the history and noted on examination. History The history begins by asking the patient about the main complaints. Then we move on to […]
Digital Clubbing or Nail Clubbing – Causes and Grading
Digital clubbing or nail clubbing or finger clubbing is bulbous enlargement of soft parts of the terminal phalanges with both transverse and longitudinal curving of the nails. The swelling of the terminal phalanges in clubbing occurs due to interstitial edema and dilation of the arterioles and capillaries. Digital clubbing is also called fingernail clubbing or […]
Jaundice and Its Causes
Jaundice is a symptom complex which is characterized by yellow coloration of tissues and body fluids due to an increase in bile pigment bilirubin and related products. For understanding causes of jaundice, first, we need to learn about the metabolism of bilirubin. Jaundice is also known as icterus. Bilirubin Metabolism Breakdown Hemoglobin released by the […]