Concept and etiology –
Gastric cancer is a condition in which cancer (malignant) cells are formed in the lining of the
stomach region. c The disease directly has an impact on the ear, nose, throat, and gastrointestinal
systems. Gastric cancer can lead to hearing loss, specifically due to the associated metastasis of the
temporal bone (Cao et al., 2016). It can affect the normal functioning of the nose and create
complications. It can affect any part of the stomach and gastrointestinal systems, such as the
gastroesophageal junction, and hamper its performance (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education
and Research, 2021).
Classification –
Gastric cancer can be classified on the basis of genotypes, histologic features, and molecular
phenotypes. The common classifications are tubular adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma,
signet ring cell carcinoma, pseudo-signet ring cells, micropapillary adenocarcinoma, and in situ
signet ring (Hu et al., 2012).
Clinical Manifestations –
The common symptoms of gastric cancer include regular heartburn, loss of appetite, vomiting and
nausea, constant bloating, high level of fatigue, and stomach pain. Some of the signs that can serve
as the indication of the disease include weight loss without trying, feeling uncomfortable in the
abdominal region, blood in the stool, reduction in red blood cells, and jaundice. The timely
identification of the signs and symptoms is vital to start the treatment.
Diagnostic Tests
The common diagnostic tests that can be done for illuminating the diagnosis include physical tests,
blood tests. For instance, the test for identifying the presence of H. pylori bacteria can help to
diagnose the condition. Some of the other tests that can also help for diagnosing the condition
include biopsy, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans.
These tests can be used by physicians to identify whether an individual is suffering from gastric
cancer or not or whether there exist its signs and symptoms or not.
Concept and Etiology: Glaucoma is a group of disorders characterized by progressive optic
neuropathy resulting in a characteristic appearance of the optic disc and a specific pattern of
irreversible visual field defects that are associated frequently but not invariably with raised
intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma is one of the most common types of eye disease. Glaucoma is
an eye disease where excess pressure irreparably damages the eye, causing blindness. It is the
leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. In the U.S., an estimated two million people
have glaucoma. An equal number of people probably have the disease but do not know it. It
deviates from the definition of health discussed in Module One because it is not only a disease but
also a condition that affects the eye. Glaucoma has no warning signs.
Classification:
Absence or presence of causative factors: primary or secondary
Anatomy of the drainage angle: open-angle or angle-closure.
Speed of onset:
Acute: sudden elevation of IOP with features like ocular pain and redness
Chronic: gradual elevation of IOP
Age of onset:
Congenital: At birth or before birth
Infantile: Birth until 3 years of life
Juvenile: 3 years to adulthood
Adult: Adulthood
Level of IOP: normal-tension glaucoma (characteristic glaucomatous optic neuropathy with IOP in
the normal range) or ocular hypertension (IOP above the normal range but no glaucomatous optic
neuropathy).
The classification evolved into the more complex anatomic classification of Hoskins, which divided
the developmental abnormalities into trabecular meshwork, iris, and/or cornea. The Shaffer-Weiss
classification introduced the categories of isolated congenital (infantile) glaucoma, glaucomas
associated with congenital anomalies, and acquired glaucoma. Walton proposed further additions
and modifications to the Shaffer-Weiss classification system with an exhaustive listing of all
disorders known to be associated with childhood glaucoma.
Clinical Manifestations (Symptoms and Signs):
Symptoms for angle-closure glaucoma include:
Sudden blurry vision
Severe eye pain or headache
Nausea and vomiting
Light sensitivity
Diagnostic Tests: While the “air puff” test can screen for glaucoma by detecting elevated eye
pressure, the only way to diagnose it early with certainty is with a full dilated-eye exam, during
which the doctor can examine the optic nerve. A comprehensive glaucoma screening may include
one or more of the following tests:
Tonometry: A more accurate test of internal eye pressure than the eye puff test.
Slit lamp and hand-held ophthalmoscope: To examine the optic nerve for deterioration.
Gonioscopy: A special contact lens containing mirrors is used to visualize the angle causing the
problem and the extent of the blockage.
Photography: Computerized imaging of the optic nerve to assess the damage.
Visual field testing: For checking your peripheral vision with flashing lights to see how badly your
site has been compromised.
Pachymetry: Measures the thickness of the cornea to assess your risk of developing glaucoma.
Heidelberg Retinal Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography: These create computerized
images of the optic nerve that enable clinicians to look for damage.
Pancreatitis-
I have a lot of experience will my diabetic dog getting pancreatitis. I know what you are thinking and
it is probably how is her dog having pancreatitis going to help her write this discussion post. Well let
me just say that humans and animals show the same signs and symptoms when it comes to this
disease and sadly it can cause the same outcome if either ends up with acute or multiple bouts of
pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis affects the gastrointestinal system because when you have pancreatitis the digestive
enzymes needed to help break down your food are not available. The enzymes will start attacking
your pancreas and cause it to become inflamed and it is very painful. When this happens, it can lead
to diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, and malnutrition. c
I think the only thing that pancreatitis does not affect as far as WHO's definition of health is mental
and social health. c I know when you have pancreatitis you are in pain and just miserable and do not
want to eat or drink or even move. So physically you are a mess and unless that messes with you
head then it does not really affect your mental health.
Pancreatitis has 2 classifications and they are based on the severity of the disease. c "Acute
Pancreatitis which comes on fast and last a for days. Chronic Pancreatitis which is pancreatitis that
occurs over many years" (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
Symptoms include but are not limited to: Upper abdominal pain, abdominal pain that radiates to
your back, tenderness when the abdomen is touched, nausea and rapid pulse.
Signs would be Fever, Vomiting, Weight Loss, and Oily, smelly stools.
Diagnostic Tests: Sometimes the doctors will need a better idea of how serious or what might be
causing the pancreatitis so they will have some extra diagnostic tests done test such as abdominal
or endoscopic ultrasounds, CT scan, or an MRI so that the doctor can see the organs and the soft
tissue and even your bile ducts to see what may be the cause of the pancreatitis. c
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/pancreatitis/diagnosis
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20360227
Story, L. (2018). Glaucoma. In Pathophysiology: A practical approach (pp. 454–456). Essay, Jones &
Bartlett Learning.
UHN Staff. (2021, June 21). Medical problems of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat: Glaucoma
symptoms, sinus infection, ringing in the ears, vertigo, and more. University Health News. Retrieved
December 10, 2021, from https://universityhealthnews.com/free-reports-online/medical-problems-
eyes-ears-nose-throat-glaucoma-symptoms-sinus-infection-ringing-ears-vertigo/.
Cao, X., Cui, F., Wei, J., Wang, Q., Deng, L. C., Liu, B. R., & Shen, W. S. (2016). Hearing loss due to
metastasis of gastric cancer to temporal bone: A case report. Oncology letters, 11(2), 1305-1308.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, April 27). Stomach cancer. Mayo
Clinic. Retrieved December 8, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stomach-
cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352438.
Hu, B., El Hajj, N., Sittler, S., Lammert, N., Barnes, R., & Meloni-Ehrig, A. (2012). Gastric cancer:
Classification, histology, and application of molecular pathology. Journal of gastrointestinal
oncology, 3(3), 251.
