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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- "heartburn"
- weakness of the vavle between the esophagus and stomach may allow stomach acid to reflux into esphagus and irritate and inflame the lining
- may mimic angina
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Jaundice
- "yellow" in french
- yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes from backup of bile metabolic by-products from the blood into body tissue.
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Diverticulosis/ diverticulitis
- small pouches forming along the walls of the large intestine (pouches are called diverticuli) if these diverticuli cause discomfort to the pt (diverticulosis)
- may lead to diverticulitis
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cirrhosis
- "orange-yellow" in Greek
- degenerative disease of the liver. name refers to the gross appearance of the organ
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Portal hypertension
- potential complication of chronic alcoholism
- results in liver damage and obstruction of venous blood flow through the liver
- rising blood pressure in the veins between the gastrointestinal tract and liver causes engorged veins around the umbilicus
- characteristic radiating pattern of veins called "caput medusae"
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esophageal varices
- bulging/engorged veins in the walls of he esophagus are often a complication of chronic alcoholism
- thin-walled, swollen veins are at risk of tearing resulting in sever, possibly fatal bleeding
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Dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
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Crohn's Disease
- chronic inflammatory disease primarily of the bowel.
- symptoms include abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhea
- may be rectal bleeding that can lead to anemia
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Peritonitis
- inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity
- if inflamed appendix burst, pt can die
- symptoms: tender abdomen, rebound pain (pain from manual pressure released from examining abdomen) board-like rigidity of abdominal muscle, no bowel sounds
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