Eating habits are frequently linked to digestive system disorders. Overeating or eating meals that are difficult for the body to digest might cause difficulties. Bacteria in food can also cause digestive problems. Digestion problems might also be an indication of an illness. Pains in the chest and abdomen, vomiting, and difficulty removing wastes are all symptoms of digestive diseases. The stomach and intestines are located in the abdomen, which is a component of the body. If these symptoms recur frequently or for an extended period of time, you should seek medical attention.
Constipation and Diarrhea
Distinct persons have different waste elimination habits. The average person has one bowel movement each day. Some people move two or three times every day, while others only move once every several days. A deviation from your regular routine might indicate the presence of a problem.
Constipation is a disorder characterised by difficult bowel motions that do not occur frequently enough. It might be caused by a lack of exercise, a low-fiber diet, mental stress, or the abuse of laxatives. A laxative is a medication that aids in the elimination process. Constipation that lasts a week or more might be a sign of something more serious. Constipation can be relieved by eating high-fiber meals such whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, and legumes, as well as drinking lots of water and exercising regularly. It should not be treated with laxatives unless a doctor recommends it. Laxatives may assist at initially, but if they become a habit, they might disrupt the normal waste removal rhythm.
Diarrhea [dy uh REE uh] is a condition in which the bowels move excessively often and the faeces are liquid and loose. Diarrhea is caused by a lack of water absorption in the large intestine. Diarrhea can result in significant water and nutrient losses. Diarrhea sufferers should also drink lots of clear liquids. Diarrhea that lasts longer than 48 hours might be a sign of a serious illness that should not be ignored. Dehydration is a risk with severe diarrhoea. Dehydration is defined as a significant loss of water that can be deadly.
Indigestion
The inability of the body to digest food properly is known as indigestion. The symptoms generally appear shortly after eating. Heartburn, or a severe discomfort in the chest, affects certain people. Others may feel nauseated or have abdominal cramps. Flatulence, or an increase in the quantity of gas in the intestines, is a symptom of indigestion. It makes you feel like you need to belch or pass gas. Indigestion is a common side effect of stress. People that are stressed eat too much, eat too rapidly, or eat on the go. In a hurry, individuals tend to swallow too much air, which might lead to flatulence. When bacteria in the intestines react to the indigestible remnants of meals like cabbage, beans, or cucumbers, gas can develop. This type of indigestion can be relieved by eating a quiet, relaxed meal and avoiding items that the body has difficulties digesting. Stress-related dyspepsia can also be relieved with regular exercise.
Indigestion is caused by a person's inability to digest lactose (milk sugar). Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerance is generally passed down down the generations. Milk sugar builds up in the intestines, causing gas to build up. Cramping and diarrhoea affect a large number of people. If you can't digest lactose, you may need to supplement your calcium intake with other foods. Some people can alleviate the condition by consuming fewer and smaller amounts of milk products.
Figure 10-5 Eating too quickly can often bring on indigestion.
Figure 10-6 Lactose intolerance is a hereditary condition that is more common in some ethnic groups than in others.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a severe sickness caused by contaminated food. Bacteria in food are typically to blame. Bacteria may be dangerous in and of themselves, or they may generate toxins that injure the body. Severe vomiting and diarrhoea are common symptoms of food poisoning. Fever and abdominal aches The symptoms generally appear within 24 hours after eating the contaminated food.
Salmonella
Salmonella germs are responsible for roughly a quarter of all verified food poisoning cases. In human intestines, these bacteria, as illustrated in Figure 10-7, proliferate quite quickly. As the germs multiply, they produce the typical symptoms of food poisoning. Although the illness is seldom deadly, the body may require additional fluids to compensate for those lost via vomiting and diarrhoea. Salmonella infection can be avoided by thoroughly washing hands and cooking equipment before eating. Raw meat should be kept refrigerated until it is thoroughly cooked. Before using any platters or utensils that were used in the preparation of raw meat, thoroughly clean them.
Figure 10-7 There are about 1300 types of Salmonella. each capable of causing infection.
Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus bacterium can potentially cause food poisoning. The symptoms are similar to those seen in people who have been infected with Salmonella. Foods that have been left to warm up, such as tuna and chicken salads, are breeding grounds for Staphylococcus germs. They grow in cream-filled pastries, salted meats, and sausages, among other things. Before serving, these items should be kept as cold as possible. The bacteria may also be found in the human body, particularly in tiny wounds, boils, and the mouth and nose area. Hands should be washed before preparing foods and kept away from the face while doing so to avoid infection.
Figure 10-8 Home canning is less popular today than 100 years ago. Pressure cookers are often used to destroy Clostridium botulinum in meats, poultry and some vegetables.
Botulism
Botulism is a severe and frequently deadly kind of food poisoning. The toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium causes botulism. Paralysis, double vision, and other indicators that the central nervous system has been damaged are among the symptoms. In the lack of oxygen, Clostridium botulinum thrives in poorly canned foods. This is especially true of low-acid vegetables such string beans, maize, and peas. It's preferable to use a pressure cooker to reheat home-canned meals. Botulism is a disease that may be prevented. Bacteria may not be destroyed if items are not cooked long enough during canning or reheating.
Appendicitis
The appendix is a tiny pouch found near the confluence of the small and large intestines. Is it possible to find it in Figure 10-1? There is no known function for the appendix. Appendicitis, on the other hand, happens when it becomes inflamed, bloated, and filled with pus.
Pain around the navel that travels to the lower right side of the abdomen is generally the first symptom of appendicitis. Symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite are common. The appendix may explode if appendicitis is not treated right away. The pus will then go to the abdominal cavity. Appendicitis is treated with surgery as well as antibiotics to manage the infection. The removal of an appendix is seen in Figure 10-9.
Figure 10-9 Surgery of the appendix. During surgery, the appendix is held away from the surrounding tissue.
Hemorrhoids (HEM uh roydz) or piles are swollen veins in the anal region. People who sit a lot or have constipation are more likely to develop them. Hemorrhoids are also common in pregnant women and those who are extremely overweight. Itching, as well as discomfort and bleeding, are all symptoms of haemorrhoids. Pain and itching can be relieved with ointments and hot baths. Surgery may be necessary in extreme instances. Hemorrhoids can be prevented by eating a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and other high-fiber foods.
Gallstones
The development of gallstones in the gallbladder is one of the most frequent digestive system disorders. Gallstones are hard, stone-like particles produced in the bile by cholesterol and other chemicals. Bile remains in the gallbladder, causing them to develop. Gallstones are common but seldom cause problems until they become lodged in the tube between the gallbladder to the small intestine. Look at Figure 10-10. Gallstones can cause the gallbladder to become inflamed and enlarged if they block bile from migrating out. This results in excruciating agony and a high temperature. The infection has the potential to spread to the intestines. The most common therapy is surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Figure 10-10 Gallstones in thee common bile duct.
Ulcers
Ulcers are open sores that appear in various areas of the body. Ulcers can occur in the stomach lining at any moment. In the lining of the duodenum, peptic ulcers develop. The discomfort caused by digestive fluids coming into touch with the ulcer is the most common symptom of an ulcer. Not all ulcers, however, are painful.
Ulcers are caused by a variety of causes in different persons. Poor nutrition, stress, genetics, and too much coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, and aspirin are only a few of them. When the stomach produces too much hydrochloric acid, the protective lining of the stomach or duodenum weakens, causing a peptic ulcer. Ulcers can result in serious bleeding or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcers can even eat through the stomach or duodenum wall.
There are several things that may be done to assist relieve discomfort and allow an ulcer to heal. Consuming regular meals and avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, aspirin, and caffeine are among them. To lower the quantity of acid in the stomach, a doctor may prescribe medications. Surgery is used to treat certain ulcers.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic illness of the small intestine. Young adults are the ones who get it the most. Despite this, numerous instances are reported in youngsters under the age of 15. Crohn's disease has no recognised aetiology. According to studies, genetics and the environment both have a part in its development. Crohn's disease symptoms include cramping, diarrhoea, weight loss, and fever. Nutrients are frequently not absorbed from the small intestine, resulting in malnutrition in the patient. A low-fiber diet, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements, are advised during acute episodes. Only the items that worsen the symptoms are removed from the diet when the symptoms diminish.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UHL suhr uh tihy koh LY tils) is an inflammation of the colon lining that affects many individuals. The colon is the section of the large intestine that is located at the bottom. Peptic ulcers are more frequent than ulcerative colitis, which mostly affects women and young adults. Although the specific aetiology of ulcerative colitis is uncertain, some experts feel that nervous stress may play a component.
Pain on the lower left side of the abdomen, diarrhoea, fever, and blood in the stools are all symptoms. Doctors may recommend dietary and medication changes. Surgery may be required in more severe instances.
Colon and Stomach Cancer
Cancer is defined as an uncontrolled proliferation of cells that infiltrate and kill healthy tissue in the surrounding area. The third most prevalent kind of cancer in the United States is colon and rectum cancer. The most common location for colon cancer is near the rectum, in the lower section of the colon. As the cancer spreads, it either obstructs the colon or produces bleeding, which occurs often after elimination. This kind of cancer is sluggish to spread. Getting medical treatment as soon as possible typically implies a better chance of recovery. Adults in their forties and fifties are frequently tested for concealed blood in their stools on a yearly basis.
Stomach cancer is far less prevalent than colon and rectum cancer. Mild indigestion, vomiting, and a loss of appetite are all early indications. As the cancer progresses, discomfort in the upper abdomen, vomiting, and weight loss become more common. Early medical intervention increases the chances of a successful cure. The removal of all or part of the stomach is used in the treatment of volves.
Review of the Lesson
The digestive system can be affected by a variety of conditions. Constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, and gallstones are all symptoms connected to nutrition or the body's difficulty to digest meals. The symptoms of the various diseases are typically the same, and they all involve some level of ab dominal discomfort. Because the symptoms might indicate dangerous illnesses like food poisoning, appendicitis, or cancer, it's crucial to see a doctor.
