Case study 2: Maryanne has a condition that causes her frequent discomfort and s
ID: 89368 • Letter: C
Question
Case study 2: Maryanne has a condition that causes her frequent discomfort and symptoms. However, her condition is not a disease, but a group of symptoms reflecting both physical and emotional causes expressed by GI tract functions. This condition can take several forms, but Maryanne has the type called "mixed", where she has constipation at least 25% of the time, and diarrhea at least 25% of the time. She experiences periods of feeling bloated, that she isn't always completely able to pass a stool Sometimes she will produce mucous secretions passed with stool, (the mucus is produced by the bowel to protect itself against inflammation). There is no one unifying explanation for the causes of Maryanne's condition for years sufferers were told it was all "in their head" and that they were making up symptoms. It is now thought that in addition to anxiety or stress responses, gut motility may be abnormal in people with this condition, and that there may be poor communication between the brain and the gut. Maryanne's symptoms worsen during her menstrual periods, and it is thought that reproductive hormones do play a role in this condition for women who are not yet menopausal. Symptoms improve after menopause, typically. Maryanne is told to keep a food diary to see ifany foods worsen her symptoms, to increase her intake of dietary fiber (which can help relieve constipation and provide healthy bulk to her stools), to reduce alcohol and caffeine sources, and has antidiarrheal medications she can use. She is also put on an antidepressant to see if this will help improve her symptoms What is Maryanne's condition? People with her condition also often have other GI diseases such as GERD. What is GERD? Why is it important to treat GERD, and not just use over-the-counter medications?Explanation / Answer
This condition of Maryanne is usually referred persistent GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease), GERD may be defined as “a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications”- Vakil et.al. 2006?
This is important to cure the problem and it has so many other consequences like, Esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus which may leads to esophageal cancer, strictures (narrowing of esophagus) and ultimately Esophageal cancer.