GI System Overview

1. GI tract function Processes food for nutrient absorption, aided by peristalsis and enzymes 2. GI tract components Comprises various structures susceptible to major and minor issues 3. Mouth ulcers types Aphthous, herpetiform ulcers with distinct characteristics and causes 4. Mouth ulcer features for referral Consider number, location, size, pain, patient age, and medications 5. Mouth ulcers urgent refer- Refer urgently for children, anemia signs, long ral duration, painless ulcers 6. Mouth ulcers treatment options Include choline salicylate, local anesthetic, hydrocortisone, mouthwash 7. Oral candidiasis diagno- Identified by white patches, redness, common in sis specific patient groups 8. Oral candidiasis features Consider size, pain, location, medication, dry for referral mouth, and dentures 9. Oral candidiasis urgent referral Refer urgently for diabetes, immunocompromised patients, painless lesions 10. Oral candidiasis treatment options Daktarin oral gel is a common OTC product, effective with age-specific dosing 11. Common dental problems Include dental pain, xerostomia, and gingivitis in pharmacy settings 12. Dental pain Pain in the teeth or jaw, requiring painkillers or referral 13. Xerostomia Dry mouth often caused by anti-muscarinic medications 14. Gingivitis 1/6 Inflammation of the gums due to bacterial toxin release 15. Tooth-brushing habits Behavior related to brushing teeth affecting dental health 16. Bleeding gums Gums that bleed, indicating potential dental issues 17. Dental appointments Scheduled visits to a dentist for oral health check-ups 18. Smoking Tobacco use affecting dental hygiene and health 19. Duration of problem Length of time a dental issue has persisted 20. Medication Pharmaceutical drugs impacting dental health or conditions 21. Spontaneous gum bleed- Unprovoked bleeding from the gums ing 22. Systemic symptoms Symptoms affecting the entire body, not just the mouth 23. Foul taste with acute bleeding Unpleasant taste accompanied by sudden bleeding 24. Chlorhexidine mouthwash Antibacterial mouthwash used for oral hygiene 25. Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) Condition where stomach contents flow back into the esophagus 26. Gastritis (Non-ulcer dys- Inflammation of the stomach lining causing dispepsia) comfort 27. Duodenal ulcers Sores in the lining of the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) 2/6 28. Gastric ulcers Sores in the lining of the stomach 29. Nausea Feeling of sickness or urge to vomit 30. Heartburn Burning sensation in the chest due to acid reflux 31. Epigastric pain Pain in the upper abdomen, above the navel 32. Generalised abdominal discomfort Widespread discomfort in the abdominal region 33. Bloating Feeling of fullness and tightness in the abdomen 34. Flatulence Excessive gas in the digestive tract, leading to bloating 35. Age Patient's age, influencing the likelihood of dyspepsia 36. Location Specific area of pain or discomfort in the body 37. Nature of pain Description of the type of pain experienced by the patient 38. Severity Degree of intensity or seriousness of the symptoms 39. Associated symptoms Additional symptoms accompanying the main complaint 40. Persistent vomiting Suggestive of ulceration 41. Vomiting with blood or black and tarry stools Suggests damaged/perforated ulcer 42. Aggravation/relief by eat- Considered in dyspepsia diagnosis ing 43. Lifestyle Includes smoking, alcohol, diet, obesity, and stress 3/6 44. Pain/discomfort aggravat- Suggests gastric ulcer in dyspepsia ed by food 45. Pain/discomfort relieved by food Suggests duodenal ulcer in dyspepsia 46. Factors to consider in dyspepsia Include aggravation/relief by eating, lifestyle, medication 47. Black/tarry stools Indicates urgent referral in dyspepsia 48. Antacids Treatment option for dyspepsia 49. Alginates Used in dyspepsia, better than antacids for reflux 50. H2 antagonists Treatment option for dyspepsia 51. PPIs Proton pump inhibitors, used in dyspepsia treatment 52. Esomeprazole (Nexium Control) OTC for reflux in patients aged 18+ 53. Constipation Emptying bowels less often, difficulty passing hard stools 54. Factors to consider in constipation Include lifestyle changes, pain on passing stools, blood, duration, medication 55. Bright red specks on toilet Suggests haemorrhoids/fissure, refer if present paper 56. Bulk forming laxatives Contain ispaghula husk, mimic fibre, increase faecal matter size 57. Stimulant laxatives Aid bowel movement by stimulating peristalsis 58. Senna Stimulates peristalsis, quick-acting laxative 59. Bisacodyl Laxative stimulating secretions and peristalsis 4/6 60. Sodium picosulphate Laxative directly stimulating secretions and peristalsis 61. Glycerin suppositories Laxative acting by stimulating secretions 62. Osmotic laxatives Laxatives drawing fluid into the gut or retaining it 63. Lactulose Osmotic laxative, slow-acting, sweet, used for constipation 64. Macrogols Osmotic laxatives effective for chronic constipation 65. Magnesium salts Traditional laxatives like Epsom salts, not recommended now 66. Stool softeners Laxatives softening gut contents, e.g., liquid paraffin 67. Sodium docusate Laxative with stool softening properties 68. Diarrhoea Increased bowel movements, watery stools, symptom of underlying cause 69. Acute diarrhoea Lasts <7 days, often viral in the UK 70. Chronic diarrhoea Lasts longer, may be due to conditions like IBS or colitis 71. Factors in diarrhoea Blood, recurrence, duration, onset, timing, diet, dehydration, meds 72. Signs of dehydration Symptoms like irritability, sunken eyes, weak pulse, dry skin 73. ORS Oral Rehydration Solutions like Dioralyte, prevent dehydration 74. Loperamide Anti-diarrhoeal for ages 12+, prevents dehydration 5/6 75. Kaolin Considered for children under 12 with diarrhoea 76. Diarrhoea referral Refer for chronic, persistent changes, blood, severe pain 77. Example exam question Multiple-choice questions on proprietary medications and conditions 78. GI conditions Mouth ulcers, oral candidiasis, dyspepsia, common in pharmacy 79. Self-care Possible for minor GI ailments, emphasize lifestyle advice 80. Directed study Post-lecture reading on GI system, IBS, and haemorrhoids 6/6