Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastroenterology)

Infectious lesions of the esophagus

Esophageal infections occur primarily in patients with compromised immune systems. Primary agents include Candida albicans, herpes simplex virus, and cytomegalovirus. Symptoms of esophageal infections include chest pain and sore throat when swallowing.

Esophageal membrane

Esophageal membrane (Plummer-Vinson or Peterson-Kelly syndrome; Sideropenic dysphagia) is a thin membrane of mucous membrane that grows across the lumen of the esophagus.

Intraperitoneal abscesses.

Abscesses can form in any part of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space. Intraperitoneal abscesses are mainly the result of operations, injuries or certain conditions that cause infection of the abdominal cavity and inflammation, especially in cases of peritonitis or perforations.

Intestinal obstruction

Obstructive intestinal obstruction is a severe pathology consisting of a complete disruption of the passage of contents through the intestine. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction include spasmodic pain, vomiting, bloating and delayed gas passage. The diagnosis is clinical, confirmed by radiography of the abdominal organs.

Intestinal paresis (ileus)

Intestinal paresis (paralytic intestinal obstruction, adynamic intestinal obstruction, ileus) is a temporary disturbance of intestinal peristalsis. This disturbance is usually observed after abdominal surgery, especially after intestinal surgery. Symptoms of intestinal paresis include nausea, vomiting, and vague abdominal discomfort.

Abdominal wall hernia

An abdominal wall hernia is the protrusion of abdominal contents through acquired or congenital weak spots or defects in the abdominal wall. Most hernias are asymptomatic, but in some cases, when strangulation or incarceration develops, severe pain occurs, requiring emergency surgical treatment.

Acute perforation

Acute perforation can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract due to various causes with the entry of gastric or intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity. Symptoms of acute perforation develop suddenly, with severe pain, accompanied by rapidly developing signs of shock.

Gastrointestinal bleeding.

Gastrointestinal bleeding can occur at any level from the mouth to the anus and may be overt or covert. There are many possible causes, which divide bleeding into upper (above the ligament of Treitz) and lower GI bleeding.

Liver fibrosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Liver fibrosis is the accumulation of connective tissue in the liver in response to hepatocellular injury of any etiology. Fibrosis results from excessive formation or pathological destruction of the extracellular matrix.

Medications and the liver

Liver disease can have a complex effect on the elimination, biotransformation and pharmacokinetics of drugs. These effects involve a variety of pathogenetic factors: intestinal absorption, plasma protein binding, liver elimination rate, intrahepatic blood flow and portosystemic shunting.