Digestive System Diseases

Appendicitis• an irritation, inflammation and infection of the appendix (a narrow, hollow tube that branches off the large intestine)• functions as a part of the immune system during the first few years of life, after that it stops functioning• occurs when interior

becomes filled with something that causes it to swell, such as mucus, stool, or parasites causing it to become irritated and inflamed. Blood supply is cut off then appendix starts to die. Rupture occurs as holes develop in the walls, allowing stool, mucus, and other substance to leak through and get inside abdomen

Symptoms and Treatment

• pain in the abdomen which:• may start in the area around the belly button, and move over to

the lower right-hand side of the abdomen, but may also start in the lower right-hand side of the abdomen.

• usually increases in severity as time passes.• may be worse with moving, taking deep breaths, being touched,

and coughing or sneezing.• may spread throughout the abdomen if the appendix ruptures.

• nausea and vomiting• loss of appetite• fever and chills• constipation• diarrhea• inability to pass gas• abdominal swelling

Surgery:• open• laparoscopic

Celiac Disease• a digestive disease that damages the small intestine because of a sensitivity to gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats• heredity disorder interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food * chronic diarrhea or constipation

* weight loss, however, even overweight and obese individuals have celiac disease * recurring abdominal pain and bloating * gas * unexplained anemia * muscle cramps and/or bone pain * pain in the joints * tingling numbness in the extremities * delayed growth in children * fatigue * painful, blistering skin rash * menstrual irregularities * male and female infertility issues * tooth discoloration or loss of enamel * cloudy or foggy mental alertness

Treatment:Gluten free

diet for lifetime otherwise you will further destroy intestine

Colon Cancer• cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of colon)• almost all colon cancer starts in the glands in the lining of the colon and rectum• no single cause of colon cancer; nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps, which slowly develop into cancer.

Symptoms:• Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen• Blood in the stool• Diarrhea, constipation, or other change in bowel habits• Narrow stools• Weight loss with no known reason

Treatment:• Surgery (most often a colectomy) to remove cancer cells• Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells• Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue

Gastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseHeartburn

• a digestive disorder that is caused by gastric acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus.

• Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the return of acidic stomach juices, or food and fluids, back up into the esophagus

Treatment:• diet and

lifestyles changes• antacid• do not lay down

right after eating• stop smoking

Indigestion / Dyspepsia• a painful or burning feeling in the upper abdomen and is usually accompanied by nausea, bloating or gas, a feeling of fullness, and, sometimes, vomiting

• the result of eating too much, eating too quickly, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful situations

Symptoms:• pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen• belching and loud intestinal sounds (borborygmi)• nausea• constipation• poor appetite• diarrhea• flatulence

Treatment:• avoiding foods and

situations• exercise before meal not

after• quit smoking / do not

smoke before meal

Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS)

• a functional disorder because there is no sign of disease when the colon is examined • Because physicians have been unable to find an organic cause, IBS often has been thought to be caused by emotional conflict or stress• has a colon that is more sensitive and reactive than usual, so it responds strongly to stimuli that would not affect others. The colon muscle of a person with IBS begins to spasm after only mild stimulation or ordinary eventsSymptoms:• crampy abdominal pain• painful constipation and/or diarrhea.• alternating constipation and diarrhea• mucus may be in the bowel movement

Treatment:• changes in diet• medications

Lactose Intolerance• a condition caused by a lack of an enzyme called lactase, which, in turn, causes the body to be unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk products.

Symptoms: which begin about 30 minutes to two hours after consuming foods or beverages containing lactose, may include: * nausea * cramps * bloating * gas * diarrhea

Treatment:• there is not a treatment to improve the body's ability to produce lactase, symptoms caused by lactose intolerance can be controlled with a proper diet

Stomach or duodenal Ulcers

• An ulcer is an open sore, or lesion, usually found on the skin or mucous membrane areas of the body.

• peptic ulcer – an ulcer in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, where hydrochloric acid and pepsin are present• gastric ulcer – ulcer in the stomach• duodenal ulcer – ulcer is in the duodenumCaused by:• the development of infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori• stress and diet

Symptoms:• gnawing burning pain in stomach• belching• nausea• vomiting• poor appetite• loss of weight• feeling tired and weak

Treatments:• medications• antibiotics• surgery

Hepatitis• is the swelling and inflammation of the liver; a viral infection of the liver

Hepatitis can be caused by:• Immune cells in the body attacking the liver and causing autoimmune hepatitis• Infections from viruses (such as hepatitis A, B, or C), bacteria, or parasites• Liver damage from alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, or other poisons• Medications, such as an overdose of acetaminophen, which can be deadly

Symptoms:• Abdominal pain or distention• Breast development in males• Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools• Fatigue• Fever, usually low-grade• General itching• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)• Loss of appetite• Nausea and vomiting• Weight loss

Treatment:Your doctor will discuss possible treatments with you, depending on the cause of your liver disease. Your doctor may recommend a high-calorie diet if you are losing weight.