What is a digestive tract disease? Every now and then you may
feel discomfort in the digestive tract caused by over eating,
eating too fast, or eating the wrong foods. Experiencing mild
discomfort of the digestive tract is normal. If it persists or the
pain increases, it is not normal. You may also notice gas produced
in the digestive system, which is a result of swallowed air or the
breakdown of food in the LI. Gas is made up of carbon dioxide,
nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. When it passes through the rectum it
may contain sulphur which causes a smell! A disease in the
digestive tract can be caused by inflammation, infection,
malabsorption or another disorder.
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Diagnosing the Diseases There are useful medical tools that
allow doctors to diagnose digestive tract disorders. Endoscopy- a
narrow tube inserted in the throat that passes down the esophagus,
stomach and upper intestine. There is a small camera at the end of
the tube to allow doctors to see the structures or inflammation.
Biopsy- sometimes the tube contains small scissors to cut a piece
of the tissue. A biopsy can help to determine if the tissues are
normal or if there is any bacteria that are deep in the wall of the
stomach or intestines.
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Colonoscopy- if a doctor wants to see much further along the
intestines, a thin, lighted tube is inserted in the rectum. Usually
the person is sedated. If the doctor sees something suspicious they
may choose to do a biopsy. Pill Cam- a less invasive procedure
requires a patient to swallow a small capsule with a camera in it.
As the pill travels through the intestines it takes pictures of the
structures. The pill is then excreted through the rectum and anus.
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General Digestive Tract Disorders Diarrhea an increase in the
frequency of bowel movements or looseness of stool. Constipation
the difficult passage of stools (bowel movements) or the infrequent
(less than three times a week) or incomplete passage of stools,
usually caused by inadequate fiber in the diet or a disruption of
regular activities or diet. Gas (flatulence) the production of
excess stomach or intestinal gas may have many causes, such as an
inappropriate diet or various diseases. Heartburn an uncomfortable
feeling of burning and warmth occurring in waves rising up behind
the breastbone toward the neck. It is usually due to
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the rise of stomach acid
back up into the esophagus.
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Hemorrhoids swollen blood vessels that line the anal opening
caused by excess pressure, such as straining during a bowel
movement, persistent diarrhea or pregnancy. Internal hemorrhoids
are normal structures that cushion the lower rectum. When internal
hemorrhoids fall into the anus (as a result of straining), they can
become irritated and bleed. External hemorrhoids are veins that lie
under the skin outside of the anus. These veins can burst and a
blood clot can form, causing a painful condition (pile).
Nausea/vomiting nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many other
disorders such as digestive disease (gallbladder disease,
infections, inflammation of the stomach lining, ulcers, cancers,
food poisoning or overeating), brain injury, motion sickness,
pregnancy, stress and other factors. While vomiting is often
harmless, it may be a sign of a more serious illness.
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GERD- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease AKA acid reflux Chronic
digestive disease that occurs due to repeated backflow of stomach
acid to the esophagus Causes irritation of esophagus SYMPTOMS
Heartburn most common Regurgitation of food or sour liquid Coughing
Chest pain Difficulty swallowing Nausea
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Treatments Lifestyle changes Dietary changes: avoids certain
foods(fatty foods, alcohol, acid- containing foods) Stop Smoking
Chewing gum Light exercise after meal Elevate upper body in bed OTC
medication Antacids tums, pepto, milk of magnesia Histamine
antagonists Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) Surgery 80% success rate
Risks
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS)
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Chronic problem with the large intestine Food moves through
intestines too quickly or too slowly Causes discomfort and
emotional distress Does not damage large intestine What is
IBS?
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Bloating and Gas Mucus in the stool Constipation Diarrhea after
eating or first thing in the morning Alternating between
Constipation and Diarrhea Feeling like you need to have bowel
movement after just having one Feeling strong urges to have bowel
movement Abdominal pain and cramping that goes away after bowel
movement Symptoms of IBS
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Chrons Disease Chrons Disease is a serious form of IBD. In the
early stages, Crohn's disease causes small, scattered, shallow,
crater-like ulcerations. With time, the erosions become deeper and
larger, ultimately becoming true ulcers, causing scarring and
stiffness of the bowel. As the disease progresses, the bowel
becomes increasingly narrowed, and ultimately can become
obstructed. Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the wall of the
bowel, and bacteria from within the bowel can spread to infect
adjacent organs and the surrounding abdominal cavity.
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Ulcers- if the stomach lining is broken down it becomes
irritated by the gastric juices and spills into other parts of the
digestive system and they become irritated. Usually you will see
sores or wounds in the stomach lining esophagus and intestines.
Affect about 4 millions Americans a year. * duodenal ulcers/peptic
ulcer- Ulcers located at duodenum (most common) * gastric ulcers-
Ulcers located in stomach. * esophageal ulcers- Ulcers located in
esophagus. *Serious ulcers often start to bleed. - Perforation:
When ulcers start get bigger and break through stomach lining -
Obstruction: Stops food from going into stomach when results to
vomiting, nauseousness, and weight-loss.
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Esophageal Ulcers Peptic Ulcers Gastric Ulcers
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The inability or insufficient ability to digest lactose Caused
by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase Lactase breaks down lactose
into glucose and galactose for absorption by the small intestine
Three causes: 1) Congenital absence of lactase from birth due to a
mutation; very rare 2) Secondary diseases that destroy lactase in
the small intestine 3) Primary(Developmental) natural decrease in
lactase after childhood; most common can vary among different
ethnic groups almost 100% of Asians 80% of American Indians 70% of
Blacks 20% of Caucasians Lactose Intolerance
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Abdominal pain Abdominal bloating Gas Diarrhea Nausea
Flatulence (passing gas) Varies in severity among different people
Symptoms
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Dietary changes Reduce intake of lactose Milk substitutes such
as soy and rice milk Ingest milk-containing foods during meals.
Supplements of lactase enzyme Adaptation Slowly increasing intake
of lactose Treatments