University:
Western Sydney University
Course:
MEDI 2003 | Clinical Sciences 2
Academic year:

2024
Views:

265

Pages:

2
Author:

Mariam A. A.

Contents of Excretions Contents of Vomiting • Vomiting expels the content of the stomach; the pH of the vomitus is almost always highly acidic. The acid creates a burning sensation in the back of the throat or and roof of the mouth or nose if the vomit has passed through the nose. • Vomit is almost always foul smelling. • Heaving: nothing in it apart from swallowed saliva. • After food: Vomiting after eating usually expels the contents of the stomach and therefore the undigested contents of the meal. • blood and be a red and brown colour. This is called blood vomiting or hematemesis. Fresh blood in the vomit appears red and usually comes from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Blood that comes from the lower gastrointestinal tract usually undergoes oxidation and may appear brown in colour. • Ulcer or perforation of a peptic ulcer: Clotted blood appears dark red in colour • Contractions of the duodenum lead to the secretion of bile in the vomitus. This gives a greenish tinge to the vomit. • Intestinal obstruction, the vomitus may contain faecal content. This is a serious condition and may require immediate medical attention and surgery. • Electrolytes: potassium: direct loss of potassium in the vomitus and exchange of sodium for potassium (RAAS system) in the collecting ducts of the nephrons as the body tries to conserve water and sodium, meaning it excretes potassium Contents of Diarrhoea • May contain large amounts of K+, Cl-, Na+ and HCO3- Dehydration, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and hypokalaemia - due to prolonged diarrhea or vomiting - secretory diarrhea, there’s increased water and electrolyte secretion and decreased absorption - osmotic diarrhea, some of the ingested nutrients aren’t fully absorbed, and they remain in the intestinal lumen and pull in water through the process of osmosis - Inflammatory diarrhea causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal epithelium, and this usually happens with invasive pathogens or as a result of a chronic inflammatory bowel disease -> impaired fluid and electrolyte absorption - Dehydration and hypovolemia activate RAAS. This results in secretion of aldosterone by the adrenal glands which exacerbates potassium loss both through the kidneys via urine (in exchange for sodium) and through colonic secretion Contents of Sweating • Water • • • • • • Small amounts of ammonia and urea Na+ ClSalts Glucose Lactate