The Digestive system
The Digestive system has several maladies. It is vulnerable. Some are simple like canker sores and some are life-threatening like cancers.
Appendicitis
The most common malady is appendicitis. It is an inflammation of the appendix. It is common in children and young adults. The appendix is at the bottom of the cecum. When the appendix is infected bacteria the appendix becomes swollen and filled with pus. It can rupture if not diagnosed and treated.
The symptoms present with pain around the navel. It can be severe or achy and goes toward the right corner of the abdomen. The pain can be steady and severe. It can be fatal if not treated.
The treatment is an appendectomy or the surgical removal of the inflamed and/or ruptured appendix.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bzX5PxdJGY
The symptoms present with pain around the navel. It can be severe or achy and goes toward the right corner of the abdomen. The pain can be steady and severe. It can be fatal if not treated.
The treatment is an appendectomy or the surgical removal of the inflamed and/or ruptured appendix.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bzX5PxdJGY
Diverticulosis and diverticulitis
Diverticulosis is a condition where the inner layer of the large intestine bulges out through the outer muscular layer. The bulges are called diverticula. If they become infected and inflammed it becomes diverticulitis.
It occurs when people have low fiber diets. As a result the amount of fecal matter produced is low and the large intestine must narrow and contract severely to more the smaller feces to the rectum. It weakens the muscular wall.
Diverticulitis happens when a hardened piece of stool, undigested food or bacteria is stuck in the diverticula. The blood supply is interrupted and infection begins.
The symptoms include pain in the left and lower side of the abdomen and fever. Sometimes abcesses will happen in the wall of the intestine.
It is treatable and the person infected is prevented from eating or drinking anything by mouth. They are then required to follow a high-fiber diet.
It occurs when people have low fiber diets. As a result the amount of fecal matter produced is low and the large intestine must narrow and contract severely to more the smaller feces to the rectum. It weakens the muscular wall.
Diverticulitis happens when a hardened piece of stool, undigested food or bacteria is stuck in the diverticula. The blood supply is interrupted and infection begins.
The symptoms include pain in the left and lower side of the abdomen and fever. Sometimes abcesses will happen in the wall of the intestine.
It is treatable and the person infected is prevented from eating or drinking anything by mouth. They are then required to follow a high-fiber diet.
Gallstones
Gallstones are crystal deposits in the gall bladder. They can be very small or as big as a golf ball. Most gallstones, approximately 80%, are composed of cholesterol produced by the liver. It is formed when the liver produces more cholesterol than intestinal juices can keep up with.
They are usually diagnosed between ages 25-50 and is the 5th most common reason adults receive surgery in the US. Gallstones are more common in women because of high levels of estrogen and insulin. High fat diets, low fiber and drinking can add to the development of gallstones.
Symptoms are pain that begins in the abdomin that radiates to the chest, back and is accompanied by chills, sweating, nausea, vomiting and gas with bloating.
Gallstones may pass out of the body through urine. Doctors often use high frequency sound waves to break them up. In painful, severe cases the gall bladder is surgically removed.
They are usually diagnosed between ages 25-50 and is the 5th most common reason adults receive surgery in the US. Gallstones are more common in women because of high levels of estrogen and insulin. High fat diets, low fiber and drinking can add to the development of gallstones.
Symptoms are pain that begins in the abdomin that radiates to the chest, back and is accompanied by chills, sweating, nausea, vomiting and gas with bloating.
Gallstones may pass out of the body through urine. Doctors often use high frequency sound waves to break them up. In painful, severe cases the gall bladder is surgically removed.
Ulcers
Ulcers are a sore in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum (lower esophagus). They are often called peptic ulcers because they form where gastic juice is present. Peptic ulcers are called gastric ulcers. In the duodenum they are called duodenal ulcers. Duodenal ulcers are the most common type. About 80% of digestive ulcers are duodenal. They are usually smaller and heal more quickly. All ulcers leave a scar.
The symptoms for gastric ulcers are feelings of heartburn, nausea, weight loss, and stomach pain. The pain is usually constant, dull, aching or similar to hunger pains. Duodenal ulcers are different. They include heart-burn (relieved by antacids or eating) and a burning sensation at the back of the throat. It is usually 2-3 hours after a meal. Avoiding citrus juices, coffee and asprin may help prevent the attacks.
Ulcers are caused by a bacterium that is in the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. It irritates and weakens the lining so it is easily damaged by gastric juice. 95% of duodenal ulcers and 70% of gastric ulcers are caused by the bacterium.
Treatments include antibiotics, and other drugs to reduce gastric juice in the stomach.
The symptoms for gastric ulcers are feelings of heartburn, nausea, weight loss, and stomach pain. The pain is usually constant, dull, aching or similar to hunger pains. Duodenal ulcers are different. They include heart-burn (relieved by antacids or eating) and a burning sensation at the back of the throat. It is usually 2-3 hours after a meal. Avoiding citrus juices, coffee and asprin may help prevent the attacks.
Ulcers are caused by a bacterium that is in the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. It irritates and weakens the lining so it is easily damaged by gastric juice. 95% of duodenal ulcers and 70% of gastric ulcers are caused by the bacterium.
Treatments include antibiotics, and other drugs to reduce gastric juice in the stomach.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Commonly known as IBD is an inflammation and ulceration in the small and large intestine. They are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Ulcerative colitis in people between 15-40 affects the inner linging of the large intestine and rectum. The inflammation is in the rectum and spreads into the large intestine.
Symptoms are diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, fever and weight loss.
Ulcers begin in the intestinal lining and blood and pus appear in the feces. As the condition worsens cancer is more likely. The only cure is the surgical removal of the large intestine.
Crohn's disease is a life-long disease that recurs throughout a lifetime. It is the inflammation of layers of the intestinal wall mainly in the small intestine. It can affect the large intestine, mouth, esophagus and stomach. Symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal pain. Surgery is sometimes required.
Ulcerative colitis in people between 15-40 affects the inner linging of the large intestine and rectum. The inflammation is in the rectum and spreads into the large intestine.
Symptoms are diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, fever and weight loss.
Ulcers begin in the intestinal lining and blood and pus appear in the feces. As the condition worsens cancer is more likely. The only cure is the surgical removal of the large intestine.
Crohn's disease is a life-long disease that recurs throughout a lifetime. It is the inflammation of layers of the intestinal wall mainly in the small intestine. It can affect the large intestine, mouth, esophagus and stomach. Symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal pain. Surgery is sometimes required.