Internal Diseases · MU Plovdiv

38. Examination of a Patient with Gastrointestinal Diseases: Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation. Palpation of the Liver and Spleen.

Inside: 15 sections · 25 labelled pictures · 42 flashcards · 10 min

Topic 52 of 74 in the MU Plovdiv syllabus for Internal Diseases (Dental Medicine, Year 3). The free AceMed note covers it in 15 sections, about 1,326 words (10 min of reading), with 42 flashcards.

In this note

  1. 17 – Main Symptoms and Syndromes of Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders
  2. I. Main Symptoms of Upper GI Disorders
  3. II. Main Clinical Syndromes in Upper GI Pathology
  4. III. Physical Examination in Upper GI Disorders
  5. 18 – Main Symptoms and Syndromes of Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders
  6. I. Main Symptoms of Lower GI Disorders
  7. II. Main Clinical Syndromes in Lower GI Tract Disorders
  8. III. Important Physical Signs in Lower GI Disorders
  9. Physical Methods of Examination of the Abdomen
  10. I. Preparation Before Examination
  11. II. Sequence of Abdominal Examination
  12. Inspection
  13. Palpation
  14. Percussion
  15. Auscultation

I. Main Symptoms of Upper GI Disorders

Upper gastrointestinal disorders affect the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Symptoms reflect the function or dysfunction of these organs and their mucosal linings.

1. Heartburn (Pyrosis)

  • Burning sensation behind the sternum or in the epigastrium.
  • Often radiates upward into the throat.
  • Typically occurs after meals, worsens with lying down or bending.
  • Suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

2. Regurgitation

  • Return of gastric contents to the mouth without nausea or retching.
  • Common in GERD or hiatal hernia.

3. Dysphagia

  • Difficulty in swallowing.
  • Can be:
  • Oropharyngeal (initiation problem, e.g. neurological causes)
  • Esophageal (obstruction or motility problem)
  • Seen in esophageal cancer, achalasia, stricture, esophagitis.

4. Odynophagia

  • Painful swallowing.
  • Often caused by esophagitis (infectious, pill-induced, or reflux).

5. Epigastric Pain or Discomfort

  • Common complaint in gastric and duodenal diseases.
  • Burning or gnawing character.
  • Worsens with fasting in duodenal ulcers; worsens after meals in gastric ulcers.

6. Nausea and Vomiting

  • Non-specific, but common in gastritis, gastric outlet obstruction, pancreatitis.
  • Vomiting in gastric obstruction is typically of undigested food hours after eating.

7. Hematemesis

  • Vomiting of fresh blood or coffee-ground material.
  • Indicates bleeding from the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.
  • Seen in peptic ulcer, gastritis, Mallory-Weiss tear, or esophageal varices.

8. Early Satiety

  • Feeling full after eating only a small amount.
  • Suggests gastric tumor, gastroparesis, or functional dyspepsia.

9. Bloating and Belching

  • Associated with delayed gastric emptying or aerophagia.
  • Seen in functional dyspepsia, GERD, or gastritis.

Continue reading free

The whole note, all 15 sections, is free with an AceMed account, with its 42 flashcards. Premium adds flashcard recall, highlights and Ask AI.

Start freeAlready a member? Open the note