Nutrition Therapy I - Unit 4: GIT Diseases

Nutrition Therapy I (ND 7318) - Unit 4: Diseases of the GIT

• Course: Nutrition Therapy I (ND 7318)
• Unit: 4, Diseases of the GIT
• Institution: University of Santo Tomas
• Semester: 1st Sem AY 2024-2025

Objectives

• Discuss common diseases of the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
• Discuss metabolic changes that occur.
• Discuss nutritional requirements.

Functions of the GIT

• Motility: Movement of food (propulsive contractions and mixing movements)
• Secretion: Water, electrolytes, mucus, enzymes, and bile salts.
• Digestion: Breaking down complex molecules into simpler forms.
• Absorption: Absorption of water, electrolytes, basic molecules, vitamins, and minerals.

Anatomy and Physiology

• Teeth: Mastication (chewing), mixing with saliva, stimulating taste buds, initiating carbohydrate digestion, antibacterial protection, and oral hygiene.
• Tongue: Assists in chewing and taste.
• Salivary Glands: Produce saliva to moisten and lubricate food.
• Esophagus: Transports bolus (mixture of food and saliva) from the mouth to the stomach.
• Sphincter: Controls the movement of bolus.
• Stomach: Motility, secretion, digestion, and absorption. Chyme – partially digested food.
• Small Intestine: Maximum surface area for digestion and absorption. Involves gastrin, secretin, and CCK for pancreatic and gallbladder secretions.
• Large Intestine: Reabsorption of water, electrolytes, and some vitamins; storage of feces.

Diseases of the GIT

• Dental Caries: Acid dissolves the enamel, causing tooth decay.

• Xerostomia: Decreased saliva production. Nutritional recommendations include non-caffeinated, cold fluids, lubricating foods (e.g., sauces, gravies), mint or sugar-free gums, and sips of liquids or ice chips. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

• Dysgeusia: Impaired taste. Dietary recommendations include determining taste and smell changes; small, frequent, high protein and energy meals; and experimentating with foods.

• Ageusia: Inability to taste. Recommendations focus on food taste enhancement using strong flavours and presentation.

• Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing. Nutrition interventions include pureed, mechanically altered, and advanced diets, depending on the severity of dysphagia. (Refer to the provided table for the details.)

• GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease – reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, resulting from either improper relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) or consumption of foods triggering increased gastric acid secretion (e.g., coffee, pepper and alcohol).

• Hiatal Hernia: Protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm.

• Achalasia: Motility disorder in the esophagus resulting in absence or weakened peristalsis.

• Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining.

• Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD): Ulceration in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus caused by several factors, particularly Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

• Dumping Syndrome: Symptoms caused by rapid passage of large amounts of food into the small intestine, including dizziness, sweating, low blood pressure, and diarrhea.

• Steatorrhea: Excessive fat in the stool due to impaired digestion and absorption of lipids (excessive fat in stool due to fat malabsorption

• Celiac Disease: Inflammatory response in the small intestine due to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley)

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Abdominal pain and altered bowel habits (diarrhea and/or constipation). Dietary recommendations include adjusting the intake of high fat foods, lactose, caffeine, and sorbitol; taking 25g of fiber (per day), and fluid intake. Foods to avoid include those leading to gas formation and/or FODMAPs

• Diverticulosis: Abnormal pouches in the lining of the small intestine or colon.

• Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula.

• Short Bowel Syndrome: Impaired digestion and absorption due to resection of a large portion of the small intestine.

Additional Information

• Document history details, including individuals who developed and updated the material.
• Dietary recommendations for various GIT disorders in the text.
• Various nutrition intervention strategies to address these different GIT conditions
• A formative activity related to digestion, absorption, and metabolism using a tuna sandwich, involving groups of students.

This quiz covers Unit 4 of Nutrition Therapy I (ND 7318), focusing on diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Explore the anatomical and physiological functions of the GIT, as well as the associated nutritional requirements and metabolic changes. Suitable for students at the University of Santo Tomas studying in the 1st semester AY 2024-2025.