10.3: Digestive System Disorders

• malabsorption disorder = nutrients cannot be be absorbed by the small intestine
• inflammatory disorder = unknown agents cause inflammation and bleeding
• structural disorder = physical abnormality interferes with normal functions

Peptic Ulcers

• common disorder in men ages 20-050
• hydrochloric acid creates a hole through the mucous lining of the stomach
• occurs in duodenum
• may lead to bleeding or perforation
• diagnosed with endoscopy
• antacids, medications to reduce acid production, lifestyle changes
  • lower stress, alcohol, smoking, medications, diet changes
• antibiotics to treat Heliobacteria pylori

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• group of diseases that causes inflammation in the intestines
• incidence is increasing in Canada (1 in 60)
• chronic disease
  • long lasting or recurrent
• IBD is only treated, not cured by a special diet and medications

Ulcerative Colitis

• attaches colon; begins at rectum and moves inward
• autoimmune
• inflammation is continuous not patchy
• symptoms: abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, rectal bleeding

Chrons Disease

• affects any part of the alimentary canal from the mouth to the anus
• children with Chrons disease do not grow properly during puberty die to poor nutrient absorption
  • develop thinner bones and poor muscle development

Liver Disorders

hepatitis

• inflammation of the lier, caused by a virus
• A,B,C,D, E
• D is only able to infect if a person has B
• E is not common

• symptoms include fatigue, nausea, fever, yellow skin or eyes, stomach paine, dark urine

Cirrhosis

• irreversible replacement of healthy liver tissue with non-functioning scar tissue
• caused by excessive alcohol intake or hepatitis

Gallbladder Disorders

Gallstones

• cholesterol in the bile can precipitate out of the bile and form crystals
• crystals grow and become gallstones
• gallstones can get stuck in ducts leaving the gallbladder
• treated with medications or ultrasound shockwaves
• cholecystectomy = surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder if other less invasive treatments are ineffective

Appendix Disorders

Appendicitis

• inflammation of the appendix
• treated with antibiotics and surgical removal
• can rupture if left untreated
• rupture spread infection throughout abdomen
  • life threatening- immediate surgery

Diabetes

• chronic condition
• body cells are unable to use glucose to provide energy
• normal insulin function:
  • pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream when blood sugar is high
  • insulin allows glucose from digested food to enter the body’s cells, lowers amount of glucose circulating in the bloodstream
  • glucose level in the bloodstream drops, release of insulin from the pancreas drops
• develops when there is nt enough insulin in the bloodstream or the body cannot properly use the insulin
• glucose cannot get into cells, glucose level in blood increases

Type 1

• body does not produce insulin

• diagnosed young

• requires insulin injections

• cannot be prevented

Type 2

• bodys insulin is not used efficiently
• diagnosed in middle age
• managed with lifestyle changes

Gestational

• high blood sugar in pregnancy

Canadian Contributions

• 1922- Canadian scientists Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered the connection between insulin and diabetes
• labs at the University of Toronto produced insulin in large quantities
• development of GE in 1990s allowed companies to manufacture human insulin using bacteria and modified plasmids