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Chapter 10.3 Digestive Disorders

Peptic Ulcers

  • A sore in the stomach/duodenum lining
    • ==Cause==: a weakened mucus layer (used for acidic protection)– the tissue is then exposed to gastric gases
    • @@Symptoms@@: abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite
    • Treatment: antibiotics, meds to reduce acidity, no alcohol or smoking

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

  • Chronic (meaning long-lasting) inflammation in the intestines
    • ==Cause==: No known cause, possibly a defective immune system
    • Treatment: A special diet and prescribed medication
  • Crohn’s disease: Anywhere in the alimentary canal
    • @@Symptoms@@: Thinner bone/muscle development
  • Ulcerative Colitis: IBD in the large intestine
    • @@Symptoms@@: Bloody stools, cramps, abdominal pain

Constipation

  • Stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract, slow bowel movements of 2-3 per week, small/dry stools
    • ==Cause==: Not enough water, weak nerve/muscle movement, not enough fibre, lack of exercise

Hepatitis A, B, and C

  • Liver inflammation
    • ==Cause==: Caused by a viral infection
  • Types: 
    • %%Hepatitis A%%: Caused through contaminated water
    • %%Hepatitis B%%: Caused through sexual contact (needs vaccine protection)
    • %%Hepatitis C%%: Caused through blood contact

Cirrhosis

  • Chronic illness, scar tissue starts to replace healthy tissue
    • ==Cause==: Alcoholism, Hepatitis C
    • May result in liver failure

Gallstones

  • Cholesterol begins to form crystals in the gallbladder, soon growing into small/solid masses
    • Treatment: Ultrasound shock waves, medication, removal of gallbladder

Diabetes

  • Chronic illness, cells can’t make glucose
    • ==Cause==: lack of insulin in the bloodstream
  • Types:
    • %%Type 1 Diabetes%%: An auto-immune disease, the pancreas stops producing an adequate amount of insulin (child–young adult)
    • %%Type 2 Diabetes%%: Caused by a lack of exercise, sometimes obesity (adult–)
    • %%Gestational Diabetes%%: Pancreas unable to produce enough insulin during pregnancy
  • Possibly 5 Types, according to a Swedish Study in 2018
    • Cluster 1: Severe autoimmune diabetes (also known as Type 1)
    • Cluster 2: Severe insulin-deficiency
    • Cluster 3: Severe insulin resistant
    • Cluster 4: Mild-obesity related
    • Cluster 5: Mild-age related
  • Treatment:
    • Daily insulin injections/insulin sprays, expensive
    • %%Trijardy%%: 3 medications prescribed for Type 2
    • Metformin, Empagliflozin, and Linagliptin
    • %%Rybelsus%%: Hormonal injection of glucagon (similar hormone to peptide), it stops the liver from producing an excess amount of sugar and helps the pancreas to make more insulin
    • However, it risks creating thyroid tumours

Endoscopy

A procedure in which an instrument is introduced into the body to give a view of its internal parts.

  • A camera and light are attached to a tube that’s slowly sent down the alimentary canal
  • The process can confirm medical problems, observe illness difficult to see through a x-ray, and allows for doctors to visually see the inner lining