THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

The digestive system is made up of the digestive tract—a series of hollow organs joined in a long,

twisting tube from the mouth to the anus—and other organs that help the body break down and

absorb food

Organs that make up the digestive tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine,

large intestine—also called the colon—rectum, and anus.

The digestive tract also contains a layer of smooth muscle that helps break down food and move

it along the tract.

THE DIGESTIVE TRACT

Why is digestion important?

Digestion is the process by which food and drinks are broken down to build and nourish cells to provide energy.

Nutrition

Grain:

Whole grains are an important source of energy. You should eat from whole-wheat flour,

rather than white flour. They are not as processed, and therefore still contain many of

their vital nutrients and fiber. It is recommended that you eat 6-11 servings from this

group each day.

Fruits and Vegetables:

Fruits and Vegetables are loaded with many different nutrients, including fiber, Vitamin

A, Vitamin C, iron, potassium, and folic acid. Eat a wide variety of each to get the

greatest health benefits. Try to get 3-5 vegetable servings and 2-4 fruit servings per day.

Proteins:

Proteins help your body to build and retain muscle, as well as provide the energy you

need each day. Protein-rich foods such as beans, lean meats, poultry, fish, and eggs also

provide healthy doses of zinc and iron. Some of the foods in this group can be high in

cholesterol, so keep that in mind when making food choices. 2-3 servings of protein are

recommended each day.

.

Dairy:

Dairy products provide bone-building calcium. While this is a very important

food group to include in a balanced diet, it is important to remember that

some dairy foods are high in fat, such as ice cream and cheese. Remember

portion control, and try to get 2-3 servings of dairy daily.

Fats and sweets:

The foods in this group, which include butter, candy and desserts, oils, and

sugars, provide very little nutritional benefit when consumed. Use these foods

in moderation.

DISORDERS

General GI DisordersPancreatoiliary DiseasesEsophagus DiseaseDisorders of the BowelDisease of the StomachLiver Disease

Gallstones:

• Thegallbladderisasmallsacfoundjustundertheliver.Itstoresbilemadeby

the liver. This bile helps you digest fats.

• Gallstonesaremadefromcholesterolandotherthingsfoundinthebile.

They can be smaller than a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.

• Gallstonesformwhencholesterolandotherthingsfoundinbilemakestones.

They can also form if the gallbladder does not empty as it should. People who are

overweight or who are trying to lose weight quickly are more likely to get gallstones.

Pancreas disease — the pancreas produces and releases insulin and glucagon into

the bloodstream to keep blood sugar levels within a normal range. The pancreas also

produces enzymes to aid in the digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates in the

intestine. Disease of the pancreas include:

Pancreatitis (acute and chronic inflammation of the pancreas)

Solid tumors (malignant and non-malignant)

Cystic tumors (may be benign, pre-malignant or malignant)

Pseudocysts (a fluid collection of pancreatic enzymes)

Strictures (blockages)

Appendicitis:

• Appendicitisisaninflammationoftheappendix,a31/2-inch-longtubeof

tissuethatextendsfromthelargeintestine.

• Appendicitisoccurswhentheappendixbecomesblocked,oftenbystool,a

foreignbody,orcancer.Blockagemayalsooccurfrominfection,sincetheappendix

swells in response to any infection in the body.

• Classicsymptomsofappendicitisincludesharppaintothelowerright

abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal swelling, fever, and Inability to pass gas.

• Surgeryisusedtocureappendicitisbyremovingtheappendix.

Jaundice:

• Jaundiceisayellowcoloroftheskin,mucusmembranes,oreyes.Theyellowcoloringcomes

from bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells.

• Jaundiceisoftenasignofaproblemwiththeliver,gallbladder,orpancreas.

• Jaundicecanoccuriftoomanyredbloodcellsaredyingorbreakingdownandgoingtothe

liver, the liver is overloaded or damaged, or the bilirubin from the liver is unable to move through

the digestive tract properly.

• CommoncausesofJaundiceinolderchildrenandadultsincludeviralinfectionoftheliver,

parasite infection of the liver, gallstone, or cancer of the pancreas.

• Treatmentdependsonthecauseofjaundice.

• Newbornjaundiceiswhenababyhashighlevelsofbilirubinintheblood.

Diabetes:

• Diabetesisusuallyalifelongdiseaseinwhichtherearehighlevelsofsugarintheblood.

• Insulinisahormoneproducedbythepancreastocontrolbloodsugar.Diabetescanbe

caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both.

• Type1diabetescanoccuratanyage,butitismostoftendiagnosedinchildren,teens,or

young adults. In this disease, the body makes little or no insulin. Daily injections of insulin are

needed.Theexactcauseisunknown.

• Type2diabetesmakesupmostdiabetescases.Itmostoftenoccursinadulthood.

However, because of high obesity rates, teens and young adults are now being diagnosed with it.

Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it.

• Treatingbothtype1diabetesandtype2diabetesinvolvesmedicines,diet,andexerciseto

control blood sugar levels and prevent symptoms and problems.

• Keepinganidealbodyweightandanactivelifestylemaypreventtype2diabetes.

Unfortunately here is no way yet to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Abscesses — single or multiple collections of pus

within the liver as a result of infection by bacteria or

other agents

End-stage liver disease — the last phase of progressive

liver disease (terminal disease)

THE END!

Fraundelder,Marla.“Gastroenterology/HepatologyProgram.”DiseasesoftheDigestive Tract. Frodtert Health, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.

http://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/nutrition/food-groups.php

“NationalDigestiveDiseasesInformationClearinghouse(NDDIC).”-NationalDigestive Diseases Information ClearinghouseYour Digestive System and How It Works. Nation Digestive Diseases Information, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.

Citation added:“DigestiveSystem|ByHealth.com.”DigestiveSystem|ByHealth.com.N.p.,n.d.Web. 03 Mar. 2013.

“DigestiveSystemOrgans.”DigestiveSystemOrgans.N.p.,n.d.Web.03Mar.2013.

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