Chronic inflammation of GI tract characterized by periods of remission interspersed with periods of exacerbation. May affect just colon or anywhere in the GI tract. Begins in teens or early adulthood; second peak in 60’s.

An acute inflammatory process of the pancreas with spillage of pancreatic enzymes into surrounding pancreatic tissue causing autodigestion and severe pain.

Most common emergent abdominal surgery. Presents initially dull periumbilical pain; anorexia,

nausea, vomiting, persistent pain RLQ at McBurney’s point, fever, rigidity, rebound tenderness,

muscle guarding, positive psoas, obturator, Rovsing signs, pain with cough, sneeze, deep breath.

Severe, continuous abdominal pain with tenderness over area involved, rebound tenderness, rigidity, and spasms. Complications include hypovolemic shock, sepsis, intraabdominal abscess, paralytic ileus, ARDS.

A disorder of the gall bladder with stasis of bile, formation of biliary sludge and precipitation of cholesterol, bile salts, and calcium which form stones.

An inflammation of the gall bladder most often associated with obstruction from gall stones or biliary sludge.

A sac like herniation of bowel lining that extends through a defect in the muscle layer which, when it becomes inflamed, causing perforation, and potential complications such as obstruction, abscess, fistula (abnormal tract) formation, peritonitis, and hemorrhage…AND DEATH.

The organ of the body that is responsible for ammonia conversion, protein metabolism, fat

metabolism, vitamin & iron storage, bile formation, bilirubin excretion, and drug/toxin metabolism.

A condition of decompensated cirrhosis characterized by increased portal venous pressure, splenomegaly, large collateral veins, gastric and esophageal varices and ascites.

Extensive scarring of the liver, due to a chronic reaction to hepatic inflammation and necrosis.

A yellowing of the skin and sclera as a result of an obstruction in the flow or bile or excessive

breakdown of RBCs with the breakdown of hemoglobin.

Accumulation of serous fluid in peritoneal or abdominal cavity related to cirrhosis.

A complication of cirrhosis with changes in mental status due to accumulation of ammonia. Patient may exhibit Asterixis.

A disorder of inflammation of the liver. Takes you back to learning your ABCs.

Complication of Cirrhosis of bulging collateral vessels of lower esophagus or upper stomach, which are very fragile and bleed easily!

Hepatitis with fecal-oral from poor hygiene, food, crowds, or poor sanitation with short term flu-like symptoms or acute liver failure. Vaccine available

Acute or chronic Hepatitis transmitted blood, semen, saliva, or perinatally. Healthcare workers at risk. Vaccine available

Hepatitis that takes years to develop. Transmission via IV drugs and high risk sexual behaviors. Risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer. No vaccine available

Hepatitis that cannot survive on its own and requires HBV to replicate. No vaccine available.

Hepatitis that is rare in the U.S but more common in developing countries. Most common

transmission is by contaminated drinking water. No vaccine available.