D1.3 Health and Digestive System PDF

D1.3 - Health and the Digestive System Digestive System Disorders Recall: The end result of digestion is the absorption of nutrients, salts, and water Most digestive system disorders affect the nutritional state of the body or its salt and water content ○ Ex. Ulcers...

D1.3 - Health and the Digestive System Digestive System Disorders Recall: The end result of digestion is the absorption of nutrients, salts, and water Most digestive system disorders affect the nutritional state of the body or its salt and water content ○ Ex. Ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and gallstones Ulcers Ulcer: Forms when the thick layer of mucus that protects the lining of the stomach from the acids in the digestive system is eroded Most ulcers are caused by a bacteria that is resistant to acid and attach to the stomach wall The sites of attachment stop producing the protective mucus, and the stomach acid eats away at the stomach wall Smoking, caffeine, and alcohol intake can contribute to the formation of ulcers Ulcers Treatments for ulcers include: ○ Medications to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach or strengthen the layer of mucus ○ Antibiotics ○ Lifestyle adjustments ○ Surgery to block nerve signals or remove a small part of the stomach Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel disease: Diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines (bowels) Examples: Crohn's disease, colitis Crohn’s Disease Crohn’s disease usually affects the ileum of the small intestine - causes intestine to empty frequently and results in diarrhea or rectal bleeding Research shows that Crohn's disease may be autoimmune (the body thinks the digestive tract is a foreign substance) No cure for Crohn’s, treatments include medications or surgery Colitis Colitis is the inflammation and ulceration of the lining of the colon Restricted to the innermost lining of the colon Symptoms include: loose/bloody stool, cramps, abdominal pain, skin lesions, joint pain, failure to grow properly Medications and surgery are possible treatment options Disorders of Accessory Organs Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver ○ Hepatitis A: Contracted from drinking contaminated water ○ Hepatitis B: Spread by sexual contact (vaccine available) ○ Hepatitis C: Contracted by contact with infected blood Disorders of Accessory Organs Cirrhosis: Chronic disease of the liver that occurs when scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, prevents liver from functioning properly ○ Common causes: Chronic alcoholism and hepatitis C Gallstones: Small, hard masses that form in the gallbladder from cholesterol in the bile