Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastroenterology)

Systemic disorders in liver disease

Liver diseases often present with general symptoms and disturbances.

Portosystemic encephalopathy: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Portosystemic encephalopathy is a reversible neuropsychiatric syndrome that develops in patients with portosystemic shunting. Symptoms of portosystemic encephalopathy are primarily neuropsychiatric (eg, confusion, flapping tremor, coma).

Ascites: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Ascites is a condition in which free fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity. Most often, the cause is portal hypertension. The main symptom is an increase in the size of the abdomen.

Intestinal polyp

An intestinal polyp is any growth of tissue from the intestinal wall that protrudes into its lumen. Most often, polyps are asymptomatic, with the exception of minor bleeding, which is usually hidden.

Tumors of the small intestine

Small bowel tumors account for 1-5% of gastrointestinal tumors. Benign tumors include leiomyomas, lipomas, neurofibromas, and fibromas. All can cause bloating, pain, bleeding, diarrhea, and, if obstructed, vomiting. Polyps are not as common as in the colon.

Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer has many causes, but Helicobacter pylori plays a significant role. Symptoms of stomach cancer include a feeling of fullness, obstruction, and bleeding, but tend to occur in the later stages of the disease.

Esophageal cancer

The diagnosis of esophageal cancer is established by endoscopy followed by CT and endoscopic ultrasound to verify the stage of the process. Treatment of esophageal cancer depends on the stage and generally includes surgical treatment with or without chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Diverticula of the stomach and small intestine: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Diverticula rarely affect the stomach, but develop in the duodenum in 25% of people. Most duodenal diverticula are solitary and are located in the descending part of the duodenum near the ampulla of Vater (periampullary).

Meckel's diverticulum

Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital sac-like diverticulum of the distal ileum that occurs in 2-3% of people. It is usually located within 100 cm of the ileocecal valve and often contains heterotopic gastric and/or pancreatic tissue. Symptoms of Meckel's diverticulum are uncommon but include bleeding, bowel obstruction, and signs of inflammation (diverticulitis).

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the diverticulum, which can lead to phlegmon of the intestinal wall, peritonitis, perforation, fistula or abscess formation. The initial symptom is abdominal pain.