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Common Gastrointestinal Disorders andAnemia
• Ulcerative Colitis-A disease only of the colon
o Inflammatory bowel disease-the mucosal surface of the colon is inflamed most
often occurs in the rectosigmoid areas, but may involve the entire colon
o Results in friability (tissue falls apart and easily bleeds), erosions, and bleeding
o Characterized by bloody and purulent diarrhea
o While it is not the first treatment choice, total colectomy is a treatment option that
can completely resolve this problem
• Diverticulitis
o Patients with diverticulitis may present with bleeding not associated with pain or
discomfort
o Is associated with obesity-these patients are at higher risk
o When the diverticula become inflamed, there are usually signs and symptoms of
infection-fever, chills, and tachycardia
o Patients typically present with localized pain and tenderness in the LLQ of the
abdomen with associated anorexia, nausea, and vomiting
o CT scan with contrast may sometimes be done to r/o if the gynecologic etiology
(such as ovarian cyst or tumor) as well as bowel pathology such as abdominal
abscess
o High-fiber diet is best management
• Clostridium Difficile
o Infection of the large intestine
o Exists in air, water, soil, processed, and human feces
o Causes profuse, watery, mucoid-diarrhea
o Certain risk types can be dangerous or life-threatening if not treated
o Risk Factors
â–ª Working in healthcare facility
â–ª Long duration hospitalization
â–ª Long-term use of antibiotics that affects normal GI flora
â–ª Long-term use of medications that reduce GI acidity
â–ª Consumption of contaminated food or water
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