Gastroenterology is defined as the branch of drugs/medicine which focused on the gastrointestinal systems and disorders/diseases of the gastrointestinal system.
Physicians practicing during this field are called gastroenterologists. Gastroenterologists have to perform different types of the procedure like, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures which include endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and liver biopsy.
Surgical Gastroenterology (SGE) is also a branch of this system which deals with gastrointestinal surgery is also called as Gastrointestinal surgery (GI Surgery). This is very evolved and specialized area of surgery which deals with surgical problems of the gastrointestinal system which incorporates organs like Esophagus, Stomach, intestine, intestine, Rectum, Anal canal, Liver, Pancreas, Gall bladder and common bile duct.
APPENDICITIS
Appendicitis is defined as swelling/inflammation of the appendix, which is a finger-shaped pouch and present in the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen.
Signs and symptoms of appendicitis may include:
Sudden pain that begins on the proper side of the lower abdomen
Sudden pain that begins around navel and sometimes shifts to lower right abdomen
Pain that worsens on coughing, walking or doing any jarring movements
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Low-grade fever which will worsen because the illness progresses
Constipation or diarrhea
Abdominal bloating
Flatulence
The site of pain may vary, counting on age and therefore the position of appendix.
Causes
A blockage within the lining of the appendix that leads to infection is that the likely explanation for appendicitis. The bacteria multiply rapidly, causing the appendix to become inflamed, swollen and crammed with pus. If not treated promptly, the appendix can rupture.
Appendicitis can cause serious complications:
A ruptured appendix. A rupture spreads infection throughout your abdomen (peritonitis). Possibly life-threatening, this condition requires immediate surgery to get rid of the appendix and clean your abdomen
A pocket of pus that forms within the abdomen. In case if there is bursts in the appendix then the patient may develop a pocket of infection which is also called abscess.
Gallstones
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive juice which will form in gallbladder. Gallbladder may be a small, pear-shaped organ on the proper side of abdomen, just beneath the liver. The gallbladder holds a digestive juice called bile that’s released into the tiny intestine.
Gallstones home in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a ball. Some people develop only one gallstone, while others develop many gallstones at an equivalent time.
People sometimes may experience the symptoms so that their gallstones usually require gallbladder removal surgery. Gallstones that do not cause any signs and symptoms typically don’t need treatment.
Gallstones may cause no signs or symptoms. If a gallstone lodges during a duct and causes a blockage, the resulting signs and symptoms may include:
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain within the upper right portion of abdomen
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain within the center of abdomen, slightly below breastbone
Back pain between the shoulder blades
Pain in right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting
Immediate care is required if the patient develops signs and symptoms of a significant gallstone complication, such as:
Severe Abdominal pain
Yellowing of skin and therefore the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
High fever with chills
Gallstones usually form when:
There is an excess amount of cholesterol in the bile. Normally, bile contains enough chemicals to dissolve the cholesterol excreted by your liver. But if liver excretes more cholesterol than bile can dissolve, the surplus cholesterol may form into crystals and eventually into stones.
The bile contains an excessive amount of bilirubin. Certain conditions cause liver to form an excessive amount of bilirubin, including liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and certain blood disorders. the surplus bilirubin contributes to gallstone formation.
The gallbladder doesn’t empty correctly.
Gallstones are often of varied types:
Cholesterol gallstones
Pigment gallstones
Factors which will increase your risk of gallstones include:
Being female
Being age 40 or older
Being a Native American
Being a Mexican American
Being overweight or obese
Being sedentary
Being pregnant
Eating a high-fat diet
Eating a high-cholesterol diet
Eating a low-fiber diet
Having a case history of gallstones
Having diabetes
Having certain blood disorders, like red blood cell anemia or leukemia
Losing weight very quickly
Taking medications that contain estrogen, like oral contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs
Having disease
Complications of gallstones may include:
Inflammation of the gallbladder. When a gallstone becomes lodged within the neck of the gallbladder and it results in the inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).
Blockage of the common bile duct. Gallstones can block the tubes (ducts) through which bile flows from your gallbladder or liver to your intestine.
Blockage of the duct. A gallstone can cause a blockage within the duct, which may cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis causes intense, constant abdominal pain and typically requires hospitalization.
Gallbladder cancer. The people have an increased risk of gallbladder cancer if they have any kind of gall bladder stones.
HEMORRHOIDS/PILES
Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins within the anus and lower rectum, almost like varicose veins. Hemorrhoids can develop inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin round the anus (external hemorrhoids). Hemorrhoids have a number of causes, but often the causes remain unknown.
Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids usually depend upon the sort of hemorrhoid.
External hemorrhoids
These are under the skin around the anus. Signs and symptoms might include:
Itching or irritation in anal region
Pain or discomfort
Swelling around anus
Bleeding
Internal hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum. Patient usually can’t see or feel them, and they rarely cause discomfort. But straining or irritation can cause:
Painless bleeding during bowel movements.
A hemorrhoid to erupt the anal opening (prolapsed or protruding hemorrhoid), leading to pain and irritation.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids
If blood pools in an external hemorrhoid and forms a clot (thrombus), it may result in:
Severe pain
Swelling
Inflammation
A hard lump near anus
The veins around your anus tend to stretch struggling and will bulge or swell. Hemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure within the lower rectum due to:
Straining during bowel movements
Sitting for long periods of your time on the rest room
Having chronic diarrhea or constipation
Being obese
Being pregnant
Being pregnant
Eating a low-fiber diet
Regular heavy lifting
As we age, our risk of hemorrhoids increases. This can also happen in pregnancy, because the baby’s weight puts pressure on the anal region.
Complications of hemorrhoids are rare but include:
Anemia: If there is a huge/chronic blood loss from hemorrhoids may cause anemia.
Strangulated hemorrhoid: If the blood supply to an indoor hemorrhoid is stop, the hemorrhoid could also be “strangulated,” which may cause extreme pain.
Blood clot: Occasionally, a clot can form during a hemorrhoid (thrombosed hemorrhoid).
The best thanks to prevent hemorrhoids is to stay stools soft, in order that they pass easily. To prevent hemorrhoids patient, have to follow these tips:
Eat high-fiber foods: patient with these complications have to eat more fruits, whole grains and vegetables. Doing so softens the stool and increases its bulk, which will help avoid the straining that can cause hemorrhoids. Add fiber to diet slowly to avoid problems with gas.
Drink many fluids: Drink six to eight glasses of water and other liquids (not alcohol) every day to assist keep stools soft.
Don’t strain.
Go as soon as you are feeling the urge.
Exercise.
Avoid long periods of sitting.