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Digestive Pathology Consultation

1. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD): Condition in which acidic stomach contents are regurgitated into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, acid regurgitation, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.

2. Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining, which may be caused by bacterial infections (Helicobacter pylori), overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or other causes. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may occur.

3. Peptic ulcer: Injury to the lining of the stomach or duodenum, usually caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or the use of NSAIDs. Abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal bleeding may occur.

4. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A functional gastrointestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both), and other symptoms such as bloating and flatulence.

5. Bile reflux disease: Backflow of bile into the stomach, which can cause symptoms similar to GERD, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. Common in patients undergoing gallbladder surgery

6. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, chronic relapsing disorders that cause inflammation and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. They can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. Sometimes they are associated with extradigestive manifestations such as arthritis, ocular, skin, or vascular pathology.

7. Celiac disease: An autoimmune disorder in which ingesting gluten causes damage to the lining of the small intestine, making it difficult to absorb nutrients. It may cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating, as well as other non-gastrointestinal symptoms.

8. Gastrointestinal cancer: Includes cancer of the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum and other organs of the digestive tract. It can cause a variety of symptoms, which may include changes in bowel habits, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.

9. Acute or chronic pancreatitis: inflammation of the pancreatic gland that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and steatorrhea, malnutrition and diabetes, and may require therapeutic endoscopies (C.P.R.E. and ultrasound endoscopy) or surgical treatment.

In the Digestive practice, specialists also deal with a variety of liver and biliary disorders (hepatology). Some of the most prevalent pathologies found in this type of consultation include:

1. Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver that can be caused by viruses (viral hepatitis), excessive alcohol consumption (alcoholic hepatitis), autoimmune diseases (autoimmune hepatitis), or other causes.
2. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH): Fat buildup in the liver that is not caused by excessive alcohol consumption. NASH is closely related to obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
3. Liver cirrhosis: Chronic liver disease characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) that can be caused by various chronic liver conditions, such as chronic viral hepatitis, chronic alcoholism, NASH, or other diseases.
4. Drug hepatotoxicity: Liver damage caused by the use of certain medications, herbs, or supplements that can be toxic to the liver.
5. Gallstones: Stone formation in the gallbladder or bile ducts that can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.
6. Chronic viral hepatitis: Chronic liver infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer if not treated properly.
7. Autoimmune liver disease: An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells, which can cause inflammation, fibrosis, and liver damage.
8. Liver cancer: Malignant tumors originating in the liver, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most common type, usually associated with previous liver cirrhosis or other chronic liver diseases.