1. Renal & GI Disorders
Mini Medical School

2. Overview of the Kidney
 The Kidney’s main function is to maintain the homeostasis of
blood. It does this by filtering the blood contents and by
releasing hormones into the blood stream.
 A Nephrologist is a physician who studies kidney diseases.

3. Kidney Function
 Initially, blood enters in through the renal artery, the blood
then passes through the nephron and some of its contents
are filtered out. This filtrate eventually becomes the urine
and is passed through the renal pelvis and down the ureter.
The clean blood is returned into circulation via the renal vein.
 The nephron is the functional unit of the Kidney it is where a
series of pores cause osmotic changes and filter the blood.

4.  Kidney Diagram.

5.  Nephron…

6. Other functions of the Kidney
 In addition to filtration of blood the kidneys can release
hormones such as erythropoietin, calcitrol, and renin.
 For example, if the blood volume coming to the kidney is low
the kidney will think that blood volume and pressure is low
and try to raise it by releasing renin.
 Renin works as part of the Renin-angiotensin system and
causes a variety of changes such as vasoconstriction,
sodium and water reabsorption, eventually raising blood
pressure and volume.

7. Gastrointestinal Overview
 The Gastrointestinal system is responsible for the digestion
and processing of food, it does this through mechanical
movement, secreted enzymes, acid and hormones.
 Today, we will focus on the Stomach and the Lower
Gastrointestinal tract.

8. The Stomach
 The main function of the stomach is to store and break down
food.
 The stomach releases HCL and proteases to break down
protein and other food products with in itself. These along
with protective factors are released from the gastric pits.
 In order to make sure this dangerous mixture does not leave
the stomach has several protections.
 First it has two sphincters that close tightly, the esophageal
sphincter (cardiac sphincter) at the top and the pyloric
sphincter, which connects to the intestines.
 It also has several layers of mucus secretions to protect the
stomach lining from being digested.
 The stomach is also very muscular which is protective and
allows it to stretch.

11. The Small Intestine
 The Small Intestine has three sections:
 Duodenum
 This is the first section where digestive enzymes and bile
mix. This mixture breaks down proteins and emulsifies fat
into micelles. Micelles are small spheres of fat which can
be easily transported. The duodenum also produces and
releases bicarbonate to help neutralize stomach acid.
 Jejunum
 This is the middle portion of the Intestine, much of the
digested food is absorbed here through the villi. The villi
are finger like projections that stick into the intestines and
increase the surface area of absorption.
 Ileum
 The Ileum comes last and mainly absorbs vitamin B12
along with some of the remaining nutrients missed by the
Jejunum

13. The Large Intestine
 The large intestine makes up the last part of the GI system it
is about 5 ft long.
 It connects the small intestine to the anus.
 Its main function is the remove water from the excess waste
products of the body.
 It also helps to absorb a few vitamins.
 It can lead to many pathologies such as IBS, colon polyps,
colon cancer, diverticulitis, etc.

15. Case Study I
 43 year old male comes into the ED at University hospital. He
is diaphoretic and complains of a sharp stabbing pain in his
abdomen. He states that he feels nauseous and that the pain
is unbearable. He says “ he can feel his pulse where the pain
is.” He collapses on floor and is rushed to radiology for an
abdominal x-ray.

16.  X Ray Findings…

17. What is the diagnosis?

18. Kidney Stones
 Kidney stones form as a result of chemicals that build up
during the filtration process in the kidneys. They can result
from many different things
 The biggest risk factor for kidney stones is dehydration
 Stones may not produce symptoms until they begin to move
down the ureters
 Stones can block the flow of urine out of the kidneys→
swelling of kidneys → severe pain!

19. Symptoms
 The main symptom is severe pain that starts suddenly
and may go away suddenly
 Pain may be felt in the belly area or side of the back
 Pain may move to groin area (groin pain) or testicles
(testicle pain)
 Other symptoms can include:
 Abnormal urine color
 Blood in the urine
 Chills
 Fever
 Nausea
 Vomiting

20. Types of Kidney Stones
 Calcium stones: oxalate, phosphate, or carbonate
 Most common type
 Often in men than women
 Ages 20-30
 Calcium Stones are often Recurring
 Cystine:
 Cystinuria
 Runs in families
 Men and women
 Struvite:
 Women with UTI
 Uric acid stones:
 More often in men than women
 Occur with gout or chemotherapy.

21. Treatment
 Treatment varies based on the severity/size and type of the
stone.
 Some stones are small and pass on their own.
 Pain relievers are used during the passing of stones, for
chronic pain narcotic and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDS) are used.
 Surgery can be used in some cases.
 Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy.
 Percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
 Ureteroscopy.

22. Case Study II
 Arnold a 60 year old store manager comes in complaining of
abdominal pain in the middle of the night for several nights.
Arnold had stopped eating as much because he was afraid of
the pain.
 He was referred to a different physician to get an endoscopy.

23.  Findings on Endoscopy

24. What is the DDx ?

25. Peptic Ulcer
 A peptic ulcer is a sore that occurs in the lining of the
stomach or the duodenum. Most ulcers occur as a result of
infection by Helicobacter Pylori.
 H.Pylori are bacteria that can survive in the stomach, by
converting urea to ammonia, thus raising the pH around
them. They also move through the mucous layers. This
movement allows HCL, pepsin, and other stomach contents
to break through the lining. Infection with H.Pylori can also
lead to adenocarcinoma.
 If stomach and or duodenal contents leak into the body,
major consequences result.

26. Symptoms
 Dyspepsia
 Heartburn
 Chest Discomfort
 Rarely, Haematochezia

27. Treatment
 Treatment includes anti-secretory therapy and avoidance of
NSAIDS.
 Surgery maybe required if ulcer is too large and bleeding
can’t be controlled by endoscopy.
 Extreme cases can be treated by vagotomy, antrectomy with
gastro duodenal reconstruction.

28. Case Study III
 A 46 year old woman goes to her Primary care physician
complaining of belly and back pain that has been getting
worse over the past day. She has a fever of 101 degrees F.
She noticed a little bit of blood in her stool.
 She has the chills and feels like vomiting. She has a history
of constipation. The lower left side of her abdomen is tender.
 She has no history of heart burn or stomach pain so she is
sent for a colonoscopy.

29.  The
colonoscopy
revealed….

30. What is the diagnosis?

31. Diverticulosis
 Diverticulosis: presence of small outpouchings (diverticula)
in the muscular wall of the large intestine that form in
weakened areas of the bowel.
 usually occur in the sigmoid colon, the high-pressure
area of the lower large intestine.
 Very common: occurs in 10 percent of people over age 40
and in 50 percent of people over age 60 in Western
cultures.
 Cause: Too little roughage (fiber) in the diet

34. Symptoms
 By itself diverticulosis doesn’t cause symptoms. It is when
these outpouchings trap feces and cause infection
 Symptoms often start suddenly, but they may become worse
over a few days.
 Tenderness, usually in the left lower side of the abdomen
due to infection in the sigmoid colon.
 Bloating or gas
 Fever and chills
 Nausea and Vomiting.
 Not feeling hungry and not eating

35. Treatment
 Rest in bed and possibly use a heating pad on your belly
 Pain medications maybe used.
 Antibiotics maybe used.
 Patients are instructed to drink only fluids for a day or two,
and then slowly begin drinking thicker liquids and then eating
foods.
 Fiber can prevent future episodes and initial occurrence.
 Serious complications like perforation, or narrowing of the
colon may require surgery.

36. End.