Diverticulum
Diverticulitis
Summary What is diverticular disease? It is an acquired condition, in which there are small out-pouchings of the mucosa of the large intestine, known as diverticulae. Definitions Diverticulosis – the…
Achalasia
Dysphagia
Introduction Dysphagia literally means ‘trouble swallowing’. It is not a condition in itself, but a symptom. There can be many causes varying from a muscular spasm or neurological cause, to…
Epsteine Barr Virus. This electron microscopic image of two Epstein Barr Virus virions (viral particles) shows round capsids—protein-encased genetic material—loosely surrounded by the membrane envelope. This file is taken from wikimedia commons and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
EBV – Epstein Barr Virus
Introduction Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a type of human herpes virus. It is extremely widespread, and is contracted by close person to person contact. It can cause a wide range…
diarrhoea poop emoji
Faecal Incontinence
Introduction Occurs in 15% aged >65Y, increasing incidence with age in men only. Causes include: Sphincter weakness (following childbirth/surgery); Anal/rectal pathology e.g. fistulae, Crohn’s, proctitis; Neurological disease (chorda equine, pudendal nerve);…
IBS irritable bowel syndrome
Functional Bowel Disease (IBS)
Introduction Functional bowel disease (also known as Irritable bowel syndrome - IBS) refers to a group of symptoms - including abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating and change in bowel habit -…
Gallstones as seen after removal
Gallstones and Biliary Colic
Introduction Gallstones (cholelithiasis)Â refers to the formation of hard stones in the gallbladder - a process which typically takes years to occur. It is a very common phenomenon which affects about…
Stomach
Gastric Physiology
Introduction The stomach can be roughly divided into two regions, which contain two different lots of cells, with different functions Oxyntic glandular area – this contains oxyntic (parietal cells) that…
Stomach layers
Gastric Tumours
Introduction Unless otherwise stated, the article below refers to gastric adenocarcinoma The second most common cancer worldwide (behind lung cancer) Most common in South America and Japan (due to diet)…
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Gastroenteritis
Introduction Gastroenteritis (colloquially known by many names, including gastric flu, "gastro", vomiting and diarrhoea, "food poisoning", "the squits") is a very common presentation to general practice and emergency departments, in people of all…
GORD - gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Image modified from original images taken from SMART by Servier Medical Art by Servier and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
GORD – Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
Introduction Gastro-intestinal reflux disease (GORD)Â is a condition characterised by retrosternal, and sometimes epigastric pain, as a result of reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach into the oesophagus. In…