SCI: Digestive System - Disorders

Diarrhea

Diarrhea

• occurs when the DS processes food too fast resulting in watery poop

• untreated and intense diarrhea may lead to dehydration

• large intestine is the most affected organ

Causes of Diarrhea

• bacterial infection: salmonella and e.coli

• parisitic infection

• viral infection

• when you eat very raw food

Prevention of Diarrhea

• proper cooking

• proper hand washing

Treatment of Diarrhea

• high fibre diet

• probiotics (like blue yakult and pocari sweat)

• appropiate medication

• constant rehydration

Constipation

• when the fecal material or stool becomes dry, compact and difficult to discharge

• large intestine is the most affected organ

Causes of Constipation

• lack of fiber

• lack of water

• eating too much meat and fats

• physical blockages

Treatment of Constipation

• diet changes

• tea

• laxatives

• surgery

Hepatitis

• inflamation of the liver (cirrhosis)

• either hepatitis A, B, C

• hepatitis C is the deadliest

Causes of Hepatitis

• intake of too much alcohol

• can also be due to a viral infection from contaminated food

• babies get infected because of the mother

• blood to blood contact such as when drug users use each others needles when injecting drugs

Prevention of Hepatitis

• avoid alcohol

• avoid contaminated foods

• avoid blood to blood contact

Gallstones

• crystals in the gallbadder made from cholesterol, bile salts and calcium

• gallbladder most affected organ

Causes of Gallstones

• in take of too much cholesterol and fats

Prevention of Gallstones

• turning into low-fat diett

• surgical removal

Heartburn and Acid Reflux or GERD

• occurs when the stomach acid splashes out of the stomach

Causes of Heartburn and Acid Reflux or GERD

• weakened lower esophageal sphicter

• smoking

• eating large meals

• eating late at night

• eating fatty or fried foods

• drinking alcohol or coffee

• taking certain meds such as aspirin

Treatment of Heartburn and Acid Reflux or GERD

• diet changes

• antacids

• surgery

Peptic Ulcers

• open sores in the esophagus/stomach/small intestine

• not caused by stress or spicy foods

Causes of Peptic Ulcers

• a bacterium known as Heliobacter Pylori

• too much aspirin

Prevention of Peptic Ulcers

• antibiotics

• stomach acid suppressants

Appendicitis

• inflammation of apppendix

Causes of Appendicitis

• Expulsion of a large mass of feces

• external trauma

• parasitic infection

• foreign bodies

Prevention of Appendicitis

• removal of the appendix

Hemorrhoids or Piles

• enalarging and bleeding of rectal veins

• not caused by stress or spicy foods

Causes of Hemorrhoids or Piles

• hormonal imbalance

• lack of fibre

• exaggerated straining when expelling feces

• sitting for too long

Effects and symptoms of Hemorrhoids/Piles

• may cause blood in the stool

• severe discomfort near the anus

Prevention of Hemorrhoids/Piles

• hemorrhoid creams

• increased fibre intake

PICA

• an eating disorder characterized by persistent desire or appetite for substances with no nutritive value (such as soil, clay, paper, chalk, glass or even feces)

Anorexia Nervosa

• mental condition and eating disorder where the patient refuses to eat and rejects food for fear of gaining weight

Bulimia

• mental condition and eating disorder where the patient consumes large/regular amounts of food but later commits self induced vomiting

Effects/Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers

• strong pains in the abdomen

Effects/Symptoms of Appendicitis

• if the appendix bursts, bacteria in the appendix can spread and lead to death

Effects/Symptoms of Gallstones

• the sharp pains in the abdomen

Effects/Symptoms of Heartburn and Acid Reflux or GERD

• they will experience burning sensation from the abdominal area rising into the chest area, with heartbeat going faster than normal

Effects/Symptoms of Hepatitis

• fevers

• loss of appetite

• abdominal pains

• Jaundice: yellowing of the skin and eyes