Gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic diseases in critically ill

Abstract

Systemic disorders can have gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations which are characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, jaundice, and abnormal liver function tests. These gastrointestinal symptoms can be signs of various immunologic, infectious, and endocrine diseases. Gastrointestinal manifestations can be the first signs and symptoms for which the patient can be admitted in critical care unit. In this chapter, we will discuss the GI manifestations of various topical diseases, endocrine diseases, and immunological diseases which are the major bulk of patients in intensive care unit (ICU).