Category Archives: Gastroenterology

What are the symptoms and manifestations of upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is hemorrhage arising from any site between the mouth and the ligament of Treitz. It may be microscopic, silently lowering blood counts, or massive, producing dramatic visible blood loss that endangers life within minutes. Recognizing the spectrum of presentations allows rapid triage, adequate resuscitation, and targeted endoscopic therapy. Key visual clues• Hematemesis: vomiting red liquid or clots signals brisk arterial bleeding; when gastric acid acts for minutes the material turns “coffee-ground.”• Melena: black, tarry, foul-smelling stool that sticks to porcelain; at least 50 mL of upper-tract blood is required to produce this change, but melena can continue... Learn more

What are the symptoms and manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder in which recurrent abdominal pain is linked to altered defecation, without structural or biochemical abnormalities visible on routine testing. Symptoms wax and wane for years, often begin in adolescence or early adulthood, and can dominate daily schedules while leaving life expectancy untouched. Core diagnostic features• Abdominal pain: crampy, aching, or sharp, usually located in the lower abdomen; episodes last minutes to hours and are relieved—at least partially—by passing stool.• Change in stool frequency: patients report more than three loose stools daily or fewer than three stools weekly; some alternate between the two extremes... Learn more

What are the symptoms and manifestations of proctitis?

Proctitis is inflammation limited to the distal 12–15 cm of the rectum. It may be acute or chronic, infectious, inflammatory, ischemic, or radiation-induced. Because the rectum stores stool just before defecation, even limited mucosal irritation produces prominent local symptoms that patients notice immediately. Core rectal symptoms Tenesmus: a persistent, often painful urge to defecate despite an empty rectum; may interrupt sleep. Urgency: sudden, compelling need to reach a toilet; accidents occur if access is delayed. Frequent, small-volume stools: 5–10 passages daily, each <50 g, sometimes only mucus or blood. Rectal bleeding: bright red streaks on toilet paper, coating stool, or... Learn more

What are the symptoms and manifestations of acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis is a sudden inflammation of the stomach and small intestine, most often infectious but sometimes toxin-mediated. It peaks within hours to a few days, resolves within a week in immunocompetent hosts, and ranges from mild discomfort to rapidly dehydrating illness. Recognizing its varied faces guides fluid replacement, diet adjustment, and decisions on medical review. Cardinal gastrointestinal symptoms Nausea: an uneasy urge to vomit, sometimes accompanied by hypersalivation. Vomiting: initially gastric contents, later bile-stained fluid; repeated cycles every 30–60 min suggest viral or food-borne toxin origin. Diarrhea: watery, occasionally rice-water or bloody; frequency >3 times per day, volume >200... Learn more

What are the symptoms and manifestations of upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding refers to hemorrhage originating from any site between the mouth and the ligament of Treitz. It ranges from trivial ooze noticed only on laboratory testing to catastrophic, life-threatening exsanguination. Rapid recognition of its varied presentations allows timely resuscitation and definitive hemostasis. Key visual clues• Hematemesis: vomiting fresh red blood or clots indicates active, usually arterial, bleeding; when gastric acid mixes with blood for minutes the appearance becomes “coffee-ground.”• Melena: black, tarry, foul-smelling stool that sticks to the toilet bowl; at least 50 mL of blood in the upper tract is needed to produce this change.• Nasogastric aspiration:... Learn more