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