scholarly journals Correlation Between the Brain-Gut Axis Mechanism and Functional Gastrointestinal Diseases from the Perspective of Chinese Medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Yang

In recent years, with the increasing pressure of life and work, the number of people suffering from anxiety disorders and depression is increasing. In addition to the manifestations of depressed mood, depressed will, slow thinking and so on, most of them are accompanied by more obvious gastrointestinal symptoms. More and more studies have proved that psycho-psychological factors are one of the primary triggers of the onset of digestive diseases. The proposed mechanism of the brain-gut axis can not only explore the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal illness from the psychological level but also provide new ideas for the treatment related to gastrointestinal disease caused by psychological factors.

Author(s):  
Z. A. Mamieva ◽  
E. A. Poluektova ◽  
A. L. Kovaleva ◽  
O. S. Shifrin ◽  
V. P. Sobolev ◽  
...  

Aim. A clinical observation to highlight the importance of detailed examination in patients with functional gastrointestinal symptoms.Key points. A 28-yo female patient was admitted with complains of left ileal pain, abdominal distention and up to 4-day stool delay. The complaints had long been interpreted as clinical manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome. No significant abnormalities were revealed in outpatient check-up (general and biochemical blood panels, stool test, abdominal ultrasound, oesophagogastroduodenoscopy). Colonoscopy was performed on admission, with diagnosis of rectal adenocarcinoma. The patient had a prompt surgical intervention, repeated courses of polychemotherapy and is currently followed by an oncologist and coloproctologist. No relapse signs have been reported.Conclusion. Patients with the complaints satisfying the Rome Criteria Revision IV for functional gastrointestinal diseases should have a thorough examination as per recommendations of the Russian Gastroenterological Association and Russian Association of Coloproctologists. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Lever ◽  
Louis Tapper ◽  
Sophie Skarbek ◽  
Peter L. Chiodini ◽  
Margaret Armstrong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Gastrointestinal illness is a major cause of morbidity in travellers and is a common reason for presentation to healthcare services on return. Whilst the aetiology of imported gastrointestinal disease is predominantly infectious, outcomes are variable due to a range of phenomena such as post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome, drug resistance and occult pathology (both infectious and non-infectious). Previous studies have focussed on predictors of aetiology of gastrointestinal disease in travellers; we present a retrospective study combining both aetiological and early outcome data in a large cohort of returned travellers. Method We identified 1450 patients who attended our post-travel walk-in clinic with gastrointestinal symptoms between 2010 and 2016. Demographic, travel, clinical and laboratory data was collected through case note review. Logistic regression analysis to examine correlates of aetiology and outcome were performed in R (CRAN Project 2017). Results Of 1450 patients in our cohort 153 reported bloody diarrhoea and 1081 (74.6%) reported non-bloody diarrhoea. A definitive microbiological diagnosis was made in 310 (20.8%) of which 137 (9.4%) had a parasite identified and 111 (7.7%) had a bacterial cause identified. Factors associated with a parasitological diagnosis included history of travel to South Asia (aOR = 2.55; 95%CI 1.75–3.70, p < 0.0001) and absence of bloody diarrhoea (aOR = 0.22; 95%CI 0.066–0.53, p < 0.005). Factors associated with a bacteriological diagnosis included male gender (aOR = 1.69; 95%CI 1.10–2.62, p < 0.05), an age < 37 years on presentation (aOR = 2.04; 95%CI 1.25–3.43, p < 0.01), white cells on stool microscopy (aOR = 3.52; 95%CI 2.09–5.86, p < 0.0001) and a C-reactive protein level of >5iu/dL (aOR = 4.68; 95%CI 2.91–7.72, p < 0.0001). The majority (1235/1450, 82.6%) reported full symptomatic resolution by the first follow up visit; factors associated with lack of symptomatic resolution included female gender (aOR = 1.45 95%CI 1.06–1.99, p < 0.05), dysenteric diarrhoea (aOR = 2.14 (95%CI 1.38–3.25, p < 0.0005) and elevated peripheral leukocyte count (aOR = 1.58 95%CI 1.02–2.40, p < 0.05). Conclusions In a cohort of returned travellers, we were able to identify multiple factors that are correlated with both aetiology and outcome of imported gastrointestinal syndromes. We predict these data will be valuable in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for patients with imported gastrointestinal infections.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer X Cai ◽  
Punyanganie S. de Silva

During pregnancy many chronic gastrointestinal disorders can undergo exacerbations. In addition, pregnant women are often susceptible to new gastrointestinal symptoms. The goal of care is to control symptoms, minimize exposure to excessive tests and medications and rule out any urgent need for surgery.  Efforts should be made to minimize risk to mother and fetus when performing diagnostic endoscopic and radiologic tests. In this chapter, we will review the current management of common gastrointestinal disorders during pregnancy, including gastro-esophageal reflux disease, constipation, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease and gall stone disease. The safety of medications used to treat gastrointestinal disease will be reviewed and new treatment guidelines and concepts will be discussed. This review contains 5 tables, 4 figures and 55 references. Key words: appendicitis, cholelithiasis, constipation, Crohn’s disease, gall stones, gastrointestinal disease, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, jaundice, pregnancy, ulcerative colitis 


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 517-525
Author(s):  
Ela Stachow

Physical exercise can have both acute and enduring effects on the gastrointestinal system. Physiological changes occur during exercise and as a result of repetitive physical activity. As a lifestyle measure, routine exercise has been associated with a reduced risk of developing certain gastrointestinal diseases. Exercise can also be beneficial for patients with gastrointestinal disease. Unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms during vigorous exercise may limit athletes in competition and conversely, competitive sport can have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract. This article aims to explore the relationship between exercise and the gastrointestinal system and to prepare clinicians for discussion of pertinent aspects of this relationship with patients.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer X Cai ◽  
Punyanganie S. de Silva

During pregnancy many chronic gastrointestinal disorders can undergo exacerbations. In addition, pregnant women are often susceptible to new gastrointestinal symptoms. The goal of care is to control symptoms, minimize exposure to excessive tests and medications and rule out any urgent need for surgery.  Efforts should be made to minimize risk to mother and fetus when performing diagnostic endoscopic and radiologic tests. In this chapter, we will review the current management of common gastrointestinal disorders during pregnancy, including gastro-esophageal reflux disease, constipation, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease and gall stone disease. The safety of medications used to treat gastrointestinal disease will be reviewed and new treatment guidelines and concepts will be discussed. This review contains 5 tables, 4 figures and 55 references. Key words: appendicitis, cholelithiasis, constipation, Crohn’s disease, gall stones, gastrointestinal disease, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, jaundice, pregnancy, ulcerative colitis 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A Lever ◽  
Louis Tapper ◽  
Sophie Skarbek ◽  
Peter L Chiodini ◽  
Margaret Armstrong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Gastrointestinal illness is a major cause of morbidity in travellers and is a common reason for presentation to healthcare services on return. Whilst the aetiology of imported gastrointestinal disease is predominantly infectious, outcomes are variable due to a range of phenomena such as post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome, drug resistance and occult pathology (both infectious and non-infectious). Previous studies have focussed on predictors of aetiology of gastrointestinal disease in travellers; we present a retrospective study combining both aetiological and early outcome data in a large cohort of returned travellers. Method: We identified 1450 patients who attended our post-travel walk-in clinic with gastrointestinal symptoms between 2010 and 2016. Demographic, travel, clinical and laboratory data was collected through case note review. Logistic regression analysis to examine correlates of aetiology and outcome were performed in R (CRAN Project 2017). Results: Of 1450 patients in our cohort 153 reported bloody diarrhoea and 1081 (74.6%) reported non-bloody diarrhoea. A definitive microbiological diagnosis was made in 310 (20.8%) of which 137 (9.4%) had a parasite identified and 111 (7.7%) had a bacterial cause identified. Factors associated with a parasitological diagnosis included history of travel to South Asia (aOR=2.55; 95%CI 1.75-3.70, p<0.0001) and absence of bloody diarrhoea (aOR=0.22; 95%CI 0.066-0.53, p<0.005). Factors associated with a bacteriological diagnosis included male gender (aOR=1.69; 95%CI 1.10-2.62, p<0.05), an age <37 years on presentation (aOR=2.04; 95%CI 1.25-3.43, p<0.01), white cells on stool microscopy (aOR=3.52; 95%CI 2.09-5.86, p<0.0001) and a C-reactive protein level of >5iu/dL (aOR=4.68; 95%CI 2.91-7.72, p<0.0001). The majority (1235/1450, 82.6%) reported full symptomatic resolution by the first follow up visit; factors associated with lack of symptomatic resolution included female gender (aOR=1.45 95%CI 1.06-1.99, p<0.05), dysenteric diarrhoea (aOR=2.14 (95%CI 1.38-3.25, p<0.0005) and elevated peripheral leukocyte count (aOR=1.58 95%CI 1.02-2.40, p<0.05).Conclusions: In a cohort of returned travellers, we were able to identify multiple factors that are correlated with both aetiology and outcome of imported gastrointestinal syndromes. We predict these data will be valuable in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for patients with imported gastrointestinal infections.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Katerina Sdravou ◽  
Elpida Emmanouilidou-Fotoulaki ◽  
Athanasia Printza ◽  
Elias Andreoulakis ◽  
Athanasios Evangeliou ◽  
...  

Parental feeding practices and mealtime routine significantly influence a child’s eating behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the mealtime environment in healthy children and children with gastrointestinal diseases. We conducted a cross-sectional case–control study among 787 healthy, typically developing children and 141 children with gastrointestinal diseases, aged two to seven years. Parents were asked to provide data on demographics and describe their mealtime environment by answering to 24 closed-ended questions. It was found that the majority of the children had the same number of meals every day and at the same hour. Parents of both groups exerted considerable control on the child’s food intake by deciding both when and what their child eats. Almost one third of the parents also decided how much their child eats. The two groups differed significantly in nine of the 24 questions. The study showed that both groups provided structured and consistent mealtime environments. However, a significant proportion of children did not control how much they eat which might impede their ability to self-regulate eating. The presence of a gastrointestinal disease was found to be associated with reduced child autonomy, hampered hunger cues and frequent use of distractions during meals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Vicki Baldrey

Hamsters are popular pets in the UK. The Syrian or Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is the best known species in the pet trade, with a variety of dwarf species also encountered. Gastrointestinal disease occurs frequently, and diarrhoea is a common presenting complaint. This is most often associated with bacterial or parasitic infection, but can also be related to neoplasia or the use of certain antibiotics. Initial stabilisation of the hamster with diarrhoea should include provision of a warm stress-free environment, fluid therapy, nutritional support with an appropriate critical care diet and analgesia. Following a full history and clinical examination, further diagnostic steps include faecal parasitology and microbiology, routine biochemistry and haematology, radiography with or without positive contrast, and abdominal ultrasound. Indications for surgery include evidence of intestinal obstruction or prolapsed intussusception. This article gives an overview of the most common gastrointestinal diseases encountered in hamster species and provides a guide of how to logically approach the investigation and treatment of these cases, achievable in general practice.


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