Page 8 - Seniorstoday October 2021 Issue
P. 8
you regularly pop over-the-counter non- oesophagus, any hernia or strictures.
steroidal painkillers such as diclofenac It also reveals if the patient has celiac
sodium, naproxen, brufen or ibuprofen, one disease, inflammatory bowel disease,
could develop an ulcer. These medications malabsorption disorders. The test can also
inflame the digestive tract leading to ulcers be performed by taking biopsies. These
and complications of ulcer-like bleeding have next to nil complication rates.
and perforation. Therapeutic - Depending on the procedure
Helicobacter pylori – H. pylori is a form of being performed, you can have procedure-
bacteria found in the gut that inflames the related complications or side effects that
insides of the lining of the stomach until are 0.001-0.1% of all the endoscopies done
the formation of severe inflammation and worldwide.
ultimately ulcer. The bacteria slowly feed
off the protective layer leading to painful Rectal Bleeding
ulcer sores. There is no clarity on how the Rectal bleeding is caused by several
bug gets into the system, but it may spread factors – some are benign while others
through contaminated food and water. One can be serious. Hence getting it medically
can test if one has the infection by doing an examined at first sight is a good idea.
endoscopy {rut} or then a urea breath test Because if you are suffering from a serious
{ubt}. condition, an early diagnosis could save
you from the pain it may cause later.
What causes rectal bleeding?
Medication side effects – Sometimes
it’s the medicines that you use to treat
other conditions that may result in rectal
bleeding. This is a side effect that can cause
blood to appear when you fart. Medicines
If you often take over-the-counter painkillers, an ulcer that cause gastrointestinal bleeding include –
could result
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Endoscopy Antiplatelets and anticoagulants
A small tube will be inserted through the Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
mouth into the stomach to look for any Buttock chafing – Chafing is caused by the
signs of ulcer, bleeding or abnormalities. friction between the skin rubbing against
Endoscopy is also called the OGDscopy each other. Sometimes a severe case of
which is the oesophago-gastro- buttock chafing can lead to bleeding.
duodenoscopy. It is an upper GI endoscopy. Chafing can be treated at home by
The upper GI endoscopy is divided into 2 applying some aloe vera gel, or shea butter,
types: or petroleum jelly, or coconut oil.
Diagnostic – This is done to diagnose Anal fissures – When you pass hard or
and identify the problem. We also look for a large stool during the bowel movement
the pathology of the food pipe, stomach it may cause anal fissure. This means that
or duodenum. This can be inflammation, while you were straining to pass the stool
ulcer, infection, cancer, Barrett’s there was a small tear in the skin that lines
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