SCI: Digestive System - Disorders

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