Digestive Disorders Overview

Digestive Disorders & Diseases

• Range of disorders and diseases affect the digestive system, varying from mild to severe.
• Common general symptoms include bleeding, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Heartburn

• Pain or discomfort from digestive acid moving into the esophagus.
• Often caused by a faulty or damaged cardiac sphincter.
• Often occurs after eating, while lying down, or bending over.
• Frequent heartburn can become a disease (GERD) causing severe symptoms or injury to the esophagus and pharynx.

Vomiting

• Strong contractions of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles propel stomach contents up the esophagus.
• Eliminates harmful substances from the stomach, or a reaction to an irritant or allergen.
• Examples include food poisoning or gastroenteritis (infection of stomach or bowel).
• "Itis" = inflammation

Xerostomia

• Dry mouth or reduced saliva production.
• Causes include dehydration, stress, anxiety, or certain medications.
• Increases vulnerability to tooth decay, gum disease, and infections.
• May cause bad breath (halitosis), loss of taste, or difficulty swallowing.

Diarrhea

• Loose and watery stool ("rhea" = flowing).
• Intestinal walls become irritated.
• Increased peristalsis.
• Water is not reabsorbed.
• Common causes include nervous stimulation (anxiety), infection of the lower digestive tract, and food poisoning. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration and disturbances in heart contractions.

Constipation

• Dry, hard feces, and infrequent stool (fewer than 3 defecations/week).
• May be caused by dehydration or lack of dietary fibre.
• Chronic constipation can lead to haemorrhoids (varicose veins in the rectum).

Treatment of Constipation

• Mineral oil (makes colon slippery).
• Milk of magnesia (prevents water reabsorption).
• Fibre laxatives (create a soft mass in the colon to push things along).
• Irritant laxatives (cause powerful peristalsis to expel colon contents).

Bristol Stool Chart

• Developed to classify and describe stool type and shape.
• Used to diagnose and monitor various bowel conditions.
• Includes different stool types ranging from very constipated to severe diarrhea.

Gastric Ulcer

• Open sore in stomach wall, caused by tissue disintegration.
• Causes include bacterial infection (Helicobacter pylori) impairing epithelial cell mucus production, chronic stress, excessive alcohol consumption, nicotine/tobacco use, aspirin/ibuprofen use, and radiation therapy.

Appendicitis & Peritonitis

• Irritated/inflamed appendix, potentially filled with mucus, stool, or parasites.
• Can burst, causing peritonitis (infection of abdominal lining).
• Both are medical emergencies and can be lethal.

Colitis

• Inflammation and irritation of the colon.
• Accompanied by pain, diarrhea, and bloody stool.
• Temporary colitis can be caused by food poisoning or infection.
• Chronic colitis, a more serious condition, can be related to inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease.
• Untreated colitis increases the risk of perforation, peritonitis, colon cancer, and other complications.

Polyps & Colon Cancer

• Polyps are small growths in the large intestine lining.
• Can invade the colon, causing blockages and infections.
• A polyp that is removed has a high cure rate.
• Colon cancer can be linked to high dietary fat and increased bile secretions.
• Excess bile salts can be converted into carcinogenic materials by colon bacteria.
• High fibre diets inhibit colon cancer by absorbing water and adding bulk. Dilutes bile salt concentration.

Cystic Fibrosis

• Genetic disease.
• Common among Caucasians (1 in 20 carry the gene).
• Affects cells producing mucus, sweat, and digestive secretions.
• Secretes thick, sticky mucus.
• Blocks pancreatic ducts, preventing digestive enzymes from being released into the small intestine.
• Patients must ingest enzymes with every meal for food breakdown.
• Respiratory passages can become obstructed.

Liver Disorders

• Diseases interfere with bile production and secretion.
• All are potentially lethal.

Jaundice

• Yellowish tint to whites of eyes, skin, and tongue.
• Due to excess bilirubin (breakdown of red blood cells).
• Bilirubin diffuses into skin tissues.
• Two types: haemolytic (red blood cells broken down unusually fast) and obstructive (bile duct blocked).

Hepatitis

• Inflammation of the liver due to viral infection.
• Liver cannot function properly.
• Different viral strains (A, B, C).
• A: sewage/contaminated water.
• B: sexual contact, blood, needles.
• C: contact with infected blood.

Cirrhosis

• Liver tissue replaced with scar tissue due to liver becoming fatty, related to malnutrition and toxicity from alcohol (processed by the liver). Often seen in alcoholics.

Gallstones

• Bile hardens into crystalline masses.
• Caused by excess cholesterol, bile salts, and high-fat/low-fibre diets.
• May block the bile duct, causing cramping pain, fever, or jaundice.