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