Key Gastrointestinal Alterations Discussion Paper

Introduction

Gastrointestinal alterations refer to abnormalities in the neurons and structures of the gastrointestinal tract and finally slow down, obstruct, or accelerate the movement of intestinal materials (Grady, 2021). Several gastrointestinal alterations include irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), constipation, Crohn’s Disease, food poisoning, bloating, nausea, gas, diarrhea, and GERD. This paper discusses irritable bowel syndrome and GERD Disease, the gastrointestinal alterations. Key Gastrointestinal Alterations Discussion Paper

1. Irritable bowel syndrome

Etiology and epidemiology of IBS

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IBS is a digestive system disorder that affects the stomach and the intestines and is one of the most commonly treated intestinal diseases. It is the presence of abdominal discomfort or pain, including altered bowel habits. It has a broad etiology not known, although its development is usually linked to visceral sensation, motility, psychological distress, and brain-gut interactions (Black & Ford, 2020). The prevalence of IBS range between eleven to sixteen percent, but most patients do not seek medical attention in the united states and Canada. Diarrhea is common in men, while women mostly report abdominal pains and constipation, decreasing with age. Specific diagnosis is used for each of these, including IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) which differs in Europe versus the united states.

Pathophysiology and Histopathology of IBS

IBS has broad pathophysiology, including psychological distress, motility, and brain-gut interaction, although not all these symptoms are attributed to all IBS patients (Lavelle & Sokol, 2020). IBS is also associated with intestinal and colonic microbiomes . There is an environmental causes of IBS, such as antibiotics, early life stressors, enteric infections, and food intolerance. After a histopathology examination of the intestinal mucosa, Most patients show mast cells, chronic inflammatory cells, enteric nerves, and enteroendocrine cells (Black & Ford, 2020). Key Gastrointestinal Alterations Discussion Paper

Treatment and differential diagnosis of IBS

Since IBS is symptom-based, its treatment goals aim at resolving symptoms such as cramping, bloating, pain, and constipation. Laxatives and fiber supplements are used to prevent or control constipation. Loperamide or probiotics are used to treat diarrhea. Stopping or reducing the consumption of FODMAPs is also effective in treating and preventing IBS. Its differential diagnosis depends on the existence of constipation or predominant diarrhea in the patient. Ten differentials include caffeine intake, lactose intolerance, medication-induced diarrhea, celiac disease, ischemic colitis, and colorectal cancer if the diarrhea is the intolerance symptom. For the constipation, the differentials include immobility, fiber intake, multiple sclerosis, hypothyroidism, spinal injury, spinal injury, and endometriosis. An appropriate lab test is required is the history indicates any of these diseases.

Effects on daily life

Irritable bowel syndrome is associated with abdominal pain that causes a lack of sleep and loss of concentration. The patients vomit and faint regularly and cannot work due to their inability to walk (Black & Ford, 2020). The patients also experience low libido and depression, plus diarrhea which is usually embarrassing.

2. Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)

This condition occurs when the stomach content flows back into the esophagus or Regurgitation. It is a common digestive disorder with a prevalence in north America of 18.1-27.8% (Antunes et al., 2022). GERD is characterized by troublesome complications and symptoms caused by the reflux of stomach content into the esophagus. The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest associated with a sour taste. Key Gastrointestinal Alterations Discussion Paper

Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of GERD

The risk factors associated with GERD include smoking, excessive body mass, less physical activity, anxiety, and eating habits such as the timing of meals. Although this is a lower esophageal sphincter disorder, pathologic and physiologic factors contribute to its development. Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations are the primary cause of GERD. Other causes include impaired esophageal clearance, delayed gastric emptying, and hiatal hernias (Antunes et al., 2022). The regurgitation and heartburn cause discomfort, thus affecting the productivity of the victims.

Treatment and differential diagnosis

GERD treatment aims to prevent complications like esophagitis and address solutions to the symptoms. Lifestyle modifications, endoluminal therapies, and surgical therapies are some of the treatment options. Lifestyle modification is the cornerstone therapy that emphasizes the importance of weight loss because obesity is a risk factor related to GERD (Antunes et al., 2022). Patients are counseled on avoiding food less than 3 hours before bedtime as it is the leading cause of the complication. To those lacking response to lifestyle modifications, medical therapy is considered, including receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and prokinetic agents. However, prokinetics such as lansoprazole and esomeprazole have shown improved symptom control, decreased relapse rates, and healing of underlying esophagitis compared to H2RAs. Surgical therapy is used for individuals that do not show improvement to lifestyle modifications and medical treatment. The available surgical options include Laparoscopic anterior 180° fundoplication (180° LAF) and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (Antunes et al., 2022). However, gastric bypass surgery is the most common therapy due to the high number of obese people in the united states. The differential diagnosis includes achalasia, coronary heart disease, rumination syndrome, gastroparesis, and peptic ulcer. Key Gastrointestinal Alterations Discussion Paper

Summary

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and GERD are common gastrointestinal alterations. GERD is a common problem characterized by significant morbidity and decreased life quality (Grady, 2021). The complications are prevented through early recognition of the symptoms of both conditions. The treatment of GERD mainly involves acid suppression and behavioral changes. Stopping or reducing the consumption of FODMAPs is also effective in treating and preventing IBS.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gastrointestinal alterations such as irritable bowel syndrome and Gastroesophageal reflux disease greatly reduce people’s economic productivity. The discomfort associated with these two disorders leads to anxiety or depression and sometimes embarrassment resulting from diarrhea. The conditions can be treated through lifestyle modification, medical and surgical therapies in critical conditions. Key Gastrointestinal Alterations Discussion Paper

References

Antunes, C., Aleem, A., & Curtis, S. A. (2022). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

Black, C. J., & Ford, A. C. (2020). Global burden of irritable bowel syndrome: trends, predictions and risk factors. Nature reviews Gastroenterology & hepatology, 17(8), 473-486.

Grady, W. M. (2021). Epigenetic alterations in the gastrointestinal tract: current and emerging use for biomarkers of cancer. Advances in Cancer Research, 151, 425-468.

Lavelle, A., & Sokol, H. (2020). Gut microbiota-derived metabolites as key actors in inflammatory bowel disease. Nature reviews Gastroenterology & hepatology, 17(4), 223-237.

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After completing Module 5 in Shadow Health, discuss two key gastrointestinal alterations (such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Crohn’s Disease – there are several mentioned in the Shadow Health module) and how the pathophysiologic changes will affect daily life for these patients. This will need to include a brief discussion of the pathophysiology leading to the effects on daily life.
Include a summary of what you found helpful in this module or what was not helpful.
Directions: Key Gastrointestinal Alterations Discussion Paper
The assignment should be at least 2 pages
The paper should be in APA format and include:
Title page
Appropriate citations
Reference page
Introduction/Conclusion
Include at least one scholarly reference (this is a peer reviewed research article) to support the assignment
Provide references in APA format following your summary Key Gastrointestinal Alterations Discussion Paper