COMMON GI SIGNS AND

SYMPTOMS
 INTRODUCTION
• Most common reasons for consultations, ER visits and
admissions
• Most varied signs and symptoms
• Numerous organ systems is contained within the abdomen:
muscular, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urogenital, nephro
• Need to distinguish between Visceral, Parietal and Referred
pain
 PAIN
Visceral Parietal Referred
Pathophysiology Stretching of Inflammation in Neurogenic in
organs or lining the parietal origin
of the organs peritoneum
Localisation Difficult Precisely Radiate or travel
localized from initial site;
Superficial or
deep, but
localized
Quality Varies Aggravated by Increasing
movement or intensity
coughing
TYPES OF VISCERAL PAIN
 BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS
• Serious complication of GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease;
• Esophageal epithelium is replaced by metaplastic columnar
cells;
• Diagnosis is made with EGD with biopsy.
• Signs of dysplasia is an early warning sign of cancer and
periodic EGD should be done.
BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS
 ZOLLINGER-ELLISON SYNDROME
• Associated with gastrinomas in the
pancreas and duodenum;
• Produce excessive Gastrin;
• 90% of patients develop gastric or
duodenal ulcers;
• Complication gastrinoma may
become malignant
 MALLORY-WEISS SYNDROME
• Upper GI bleeding secondary to
longitudinal mucosal lacerations at
the gastroesophageal junction or
gastric cardia
• May occur after ay event that
provokes a sudden rise in the
intragastric pressure or gastric
prolapse into the esophagus
 ACHALASIA
• Primarily an esophageal motility disorder characterized by the
absence of esophageal peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the
lower esophageal sphincter in response to swallowing
• Symptoms:
• Dysphagia
• Regurgitation
• Chest pain
• Heartburn
• Weight loss
ACHALASIA