Condition Lookup

Appendicitis

Category: General and Miscellaneous GI Conditions

Sub-category: Abdominal Pain and Disorders

Symptoms:
sudden pain in the lower right abdomen; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; fever; constipation or diarrhea

Root Cause:
Inflammation of the appendix, often due to obstruction of the appendiceal lumen by fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia, or other blockages.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation of symptoms, imaging (ultrasound or CT scan), and blood tests showing elevated white blood cell count and inflammatory markers.

Treatment:
Surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy) is the standard treatment, sometimes preceded by antibiotics in uncomplicated cases.

Medications:
Antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or metronidazole are prescribed preoperatively and postoperatively in some cases to manage or prevent infection.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 7% of the population, most commonly in individuals aged 10-30 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, high-fat/low-fiber diets, and gastrointestinal infections.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with timely diagnosis and treatment; recovery is typically quick following surgery.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Perforation of the appendix, peritonitis, abscess formation, and sepsis in untreated or delayed cases.

Upper GI Bleeding (e.g., Varices, Peptic Ulcers)

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: General and Miscellaneous GI Conditions

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Symptoms:
hematemesis (vomiting blood); melena (black, tarry stools); weakness; dizziness; abdominal pain; shortness of breath; fatigue

Root Cause:
Bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract, commonly caused by peptic ulcers, gastric or esophageal varices, Mallory-Weiss tears, or erosive gastritis/esophagitis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), stool guaiac test, complete blood count (CBC) to check hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and imaging if required.

Treatment:
Stabilization with intravenous fluids and blood transfusions if necessary, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), endoscopic interventions (e.g., banding or sclerotherapy for varices, cauterization for ulcers), and in severe cases, surgery or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole , pantoprazole ) to reduce acid production, octreotide (a somatostatin analog) to control variceal bleeding, and antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone ) to prevent infections in variceal cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 50-150 per 100,000 people annually; variceal bleeding is common in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic use of NSAIDs, Helicobacter pylori infection, liver cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, coagulopathies, and high blood pressure in the portal vein.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With prompt treatment, most cases are manageable; however, recurrent bleeding and mortality are significant concerns, especially in variceal cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hypovolemic shock, recurrent bleeding, organ failure, and in variceal cases, high mortality if untreated.

Lower GI Bleeding (e.g., Diverticular Bleeding, Angiodysplasia)

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: General and Miscellaneous GI Conditions

Sub-category: Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Symptoms:
hematochezia (bright red or maroon-colored stools); anemia; dizziness; fatigue; abdominal cramps; weakness

Root Cause:
Bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract, commonly due to diverticular disease, angiodysplasia, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, or ischemic colitis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Colonoscopy, angiography, nuclear medicine scans (e.g., tagged red blood cell scan), and lab tests like CBC to detect anemia.

Treatment:
Resuscitation with intravenous fluids and blood products, colonoscopic interventions (e.g., clipping or cauterization), angiographic embolization, and in severe cases, surgery. Treat underlying causes such as diverticulitis or colitis.

Medications:
Medications are less commonly used for primary treatment but may include vasopressin for active bleeding during angiography, iron supplements for anemia, and mesalamine for inflammatory bowel disease if applicable.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Incidence ranges from 20-30 per 100,000 people annually, increasing with age.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age, diverticular disease, vascular malformations, anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy, and a history of inflammatory bowel disease or radiation therapy.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases resolve spontaneously, especially diverticular bleeding. Severe or recurrent bleeding may require intervention, and prognosis depends on the underlying cause.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe anemia, shock, recurrent bleeding, and in rare cases, bowel ischemia or perforation during treatment.

Gastroparesis

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: General and Miscellaneous GI Conditions

Sub-category: Motility Disorders

Symptoms:
nausea; vomiting; early satiety; bloating; abdominal pain; weight loss; poor appetite

Root Cause:
Impaired gastric motility due to delayed emptying of the stomach without mechanical obstruction; often associated with nerve or muscle dysfunction.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Gastric emptying studies (e.g., scintigraphy, breath tests), upper endoscopy to rule out obstruction, and imaging such as CT or MRI to assess anatomy.

Treatment:
Dietary modifications (small, low-fat, low-fiber meals), prokinetic medications, antiemetics, and in severe cases, interventions like gastric electrical stimulation or jejunal feeding tubes.

Medications:
Prokinetic agents such as metoclopramide (a dopamine antagonist) and erythromycin (a macrolide antibiotic) are prescribed to enhance gastric motility. Antiemetics, such as ondansetron (a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) or promethazine (a phenothiazine derivative ), are used to control nausea and vomiting.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects an estimated 4% of the U.S. population, with higher prevalence in individuals with diabetes or post-surgical complications.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Diabetes mellitus (type 1 and 2), prior abdominal surgery, systemic disorders affecting nerves or muscles (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, scleroderma), and certain medications (e.g., opioids, anticholinergics).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies by severity; manageable with lifestyle changes and medications, but symptoms can persist and significantly affect quality of life.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe malnutrition, dehydration, bezoar formation, fluctuating blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, and impaired medication absorption.

Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: General and Miscellaneous GI Conditions

Sub-category: Motility Disorders

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; bloating; nausea; vomiting; constipation; diarrhea; malnutrition; failure to thrive in children

Root Cause:
Abnormal motility of the intestines due to dysfunction of the smooth muscle or nerves; mimics a mechanical obstruction but without a physical blockage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Abdominal X-rays, CT scans, manometry to evaluate intestinal contractions, and full-thickness biopsies to examine underlying neuromuscular abnormalities.

Treatment:
Management focuses on treating symptoms with dietary adjustments (low-residue or elemental diets), enteral or parenteral nutrition, prokinetic agents, and in some cases, surgical decompression.

Medications:
Prokinetic agents such as neostigmine (a cholinesterase inhibitor) and metoclopramide (a dopamine antagonist) are used to enhance motility. Antispasmodics, such as hyoscine (an anticholinergic agent), may be used to manage painful cramping. Antibiotics, like rifaximin (a gut-specific antibiotic), may be prescribed for bacterial overgrowth.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with an estimated prevalence of fewer than 1 in 100,000 individuals; can occur as a primary (idiopathic) condition or secondary to systemic diseases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predispositions, underlying conditions like scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, neurological disorders, or prior abdominal surgery.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic and often progressive; prognosis depends on the underlying cause and response to treatment. Early intervention with nutritional support can improve outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe malnutrition, intestinal perforation, bacterial overgrowth, sepsis, and dependency on parenteral nutrition in advanced cases.

Peritonitis (Spontaneous Bacterial or Secondary)

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: General and Miscellaneous GI Conditions

Sub-category: Peritoneal Disorders

Symptoms:
abdominal pain; fever; nausea; vomiting; bloating; loss of appetite; rebound tenderness; altered mental status (in severe cases)

Root Cause:
Inflammation of the peritoneum caused by bacterial infection, either spontaneous (usually due to liver disease and ascites) or secondary to conditions like a perforated appendix or bowel injury.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, imaging (CT scan or ultrasound), and diagnostic paracentesis (analysis of peritoneal fluid for white blood cell count, Gram stain, and culture).

Treatment:
Immediate treatment includes antibiotics to target causative bacteria, supportive care (IV fluids, pain management), and surgery (in secondary peritonitis) to repair the underlying source of infection.

Medications:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as cefotaxime or piperacillin-tazobactam (antibacterial). In cases of fungal involvement, antifungals like fluconazole may be used.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis occurs in 10-30% of patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Secondary peritonitis prevalence depends on underlying conditions like appendicitis or bowel perforation.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic liver disease with ascites, peritoneal dialysis, abdominal surgery, gastrointestinal perforations, trauma, and immunosuppression.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies; spontaneous bacterial peritonitis has a 20-40% mortality rate, which improves with prompt treatment. Secondary peritonitis requires surgical intervention and can lead to serious complications without timely management.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sepsis, multi-organ failure, abscess formation, and recurrent infections.

Ascites (Abdominal Fluid Accumulation)

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: General and Miscellaneous GI Conditions

Sub-category: Peritoneal Disorders

Symptoms:
abdominal distension; weight gain; shortness of breath; abdominal discomfort; nausea; early satiety

Root Cause:
Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, commonly caused by liver cirrhosis, but also associated with cancers, heart failure, or infections.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam (shifting dullness, fluid wave test), ultrasound for fluid detection, and paracentesis to analyze the ascitic fluid (e.g., albumin gradient, cell count, cultures).

Treatment:
Management of the underlying cause (e.g., liver disease), sodium restriction, diuretics (e.g., spironolactone and furosemide), therapeutic paracentesis for symptomatic relief, and in severe cases, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or liver transplant.

Medications:
Diuretics such as spironolactone (potassium-sparing) and furosemide (loop diuretic) to reduce fluid accumulation. Albumin infusions post-paracentesis to prevent complications like hypovolemia.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 50% of patients with cirrhosis develop ascites within 10 years of diagnosis.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic liver disease, excessive alcohol use, hepatitis infection, malignancies (e.g., ovarian cancer), and heart or kidney failure.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Dependent on the cause; ascites related to cirrhosis indicates advanced liver disease and carries a 50% mortality rate over two years without transplant.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, and impaired quality of life due to recurrent fluid accumulation.

Functional Dyspepsia

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: General and Miscellaneous GI Conditions

Sub-category: Abdominal Pain and Disorders

Symptoms:
upper abdominal pain or discomfort; bloating; nausea; early satiety; belching

Root Cause:
Functional dyspepsia is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with no detectable structural abnormalities, often linked to hypersensitivity of the stomach lining, delayed gastric emptying, or altered gut-brain interaction.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is typically clinical, based on Rome IV criteria, and involves ruling out structural causes with endoscopy, imaging, or lab tests to exclude Helicobacter pylori infection or other conditions.

Treatment:
Lifestyle modifications (e.g., smaller meals, avoiding triggers like caffeine and fatty foods), stress management, and medications.

Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole ), H2 receptor antagonists (e.g., ranitidine), prokinetics (e.g., metoclopramide ), or low-dose tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline ) to manage symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10-20% of the global population, with higher rates in women and younger adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Psychological stress, anxiety, depression, Helicobacter pylori infection, and dietary triggers.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms can be managed with treatment, but some patients may experience chronic symptoms or episodic recurrences.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
While not life-threatening, untreated symptoms can significantly reduce quality of life and lead to anxiety or depression.