Category Archives: Gastroenterology

What are the symptoms and manifestations of gastrointestinal bleeding?

Gastrointestinal bleeding is blood loss anywhere from the mouth to the anus. It is grouped into upper (proximal to the ligament of Treitz) and lower (distal to that point) sources, each with characteristic clinical pictures. Blood may be seen, hidden in stool, or detected only by laboratory tests; volume can range from trivial to rapidly fatal. Recognising the varied presentations guides location, pace, urgency of evaluation, and need for resuscitation. Visible upper-tract patterns• Hematemesis: vomiting red or clotted blood indicates brisk bleeding; coffee-ground material signifies slower gastric contact.• Melena: black, tarry, foul-smelling stool produced by ≥50 mL of upper-tract blood;... Learn more

What are the symptoms and manifestations of gastric bleeding?

Gastric bleeding is hemorrhage originating from the stomach wall. It may be microscopic, slowly oozing for days, or sudden and copious, endangering life within minutes. Because gastric acid quickly alters blood, the clinical picture can differ from bleeding at more distal sites; recognizing these nuances speeds resuscitation and endoscopic control. Key visual clues• Coffee-ground vomitus: partially digested blood turns dark brown and granular; indicates low to moderate bleeding that has lingered in gastric acid.• Fresh hematemesis: bright red or clotted blood expelled through the mouth signals brisk arterial bleeding, often >300 mL at once.• Melena: black, tarry, sticky stool with... Learn more

What are the symptoms and manifestations of bacterial dysentery?

Bacterial dysentery is an acute invasive infection of the colon caused by Shigella, enteroinvasive or enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi or Paratyphi, and occasionally Yersinia. The hallmark is frequent, small-volume stools containing blood, mucus, or pus, accompanied by systemic toxicity. Rapid recognition guides stool testing, appropriate antibiotics, and prevention of secondary spread. Core intestinal features• Tenesmus: painful, ineffectual straining with a constant urge to defecate; patients may visit the toilet dozens of times daily.• Frequent scant stools: 8–20 passages per 24 h, each <100 g, often consisting only of blood-streaked mucus.• Gross blood and pus: bright-red blood... Learn more

What are the symptoms and manifestations of proctitis?

Proctitis is inflammation confined to the distal 12–15 cm of the rectum. It may be acute or chronic, infectious, inflammatory, radiation-induced, or ischemic. Because the rectum serves as the final stool reservoir, even limited mucosal irritation produces prominent local symptoms that patients notice immediately and often attribute mistakenly to hemorrhoids. Cardinal rectal symptoms• Tenesmus: a persistent, sometimes painful urge to defecate despite an empty rectum; may interrupt sleep and mimic urinary urgency in severe cases.• Urgency: a sudden, compelling need to reach a toilet; accidents occur if access is delayed even a few minutes.• Frequent, small-volume stools: five to ten... Learn more

What are the symptoms and manifestations of acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis is a rapid-onset inflammation of the stomach and small intestine, usually infectious, that resolves within a week in otherwise healthy people. It spans from mild, self-limited discomfort to dramatic fluid loss capable of producing hypovolemic shock within hours. Recognizing the varied faces of the illness guides fluid replacement, diet choices, and the decision to seek medical care. Core gastrointestinal features• Nausea: an uneasy urge to vomit, often accompanied by increased salivation or retching.• Vomiting: first gastric contents, then bile-tinged fluid; repeated every 30–60 min in severe cases, especially with viral or pre-formed toxin causes.• Diarrhea: watery, occasionally rice-water... Learn more