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Digestive System

Digestive system
2008-04-06 13:17:00
The body’s food processing complex supplies essential nutrients that fuel other organs and body systems. The digestive system’s two major components include the:• GI tract• accessory glands and organs.GI tractBeginning in the mouth and ending at the anus, the GI tract includes the:• mouth — where chewing and salivation occur to make food soft and easy to swallow• esophagus — where food enters by peristaltic waves that are activated by the glossopharyngeal nerves• stomach — where digestion occurs in two phases:–the cephalic phase–the gastric phase• small intestine — where digestion takes place in three major sections:–the duodenum–the jejunum–the ileum• large intestine — where absorption takes place and mostly indigestible material passes through the transverse colon, and then down through the descending colon to the rectum and is expelled through the anal canal.Accessory glands and organsEnzymes, bile, and hormones, which are vital to digestion,...
Acid Reflux: The Digestive System Disease [del.icio.us]
2008-01-04 19:03:00
Banish Bad Breath And Gum Disease! Banish your bad breath and gum disease. Nearly everyone has a digestive problem, but many people develop these diseases because of lifestyle, poor diet and lack of physical activity. The digestive system is the corri...
Appendix Finally Gets Digestive System Props!
2007-10-08 19:14:00
I believe that everything in life, whether tangible or not, has a purpose or meaning. We may not always know what that purpose or meaning is at first, but ulitmately we do find clarity in life's little mysteries. Take the appendix. For generations it's been dismissed as useless and potentionally troublesome, although it does contain some immune system tissue.  But guess what? It turns out that the appendix is more than just a little worm-shaped organ. That's right. Some scientists now say that the appendix--the slender two- to four-inch pouch located near where the large and small intestine meet--produces and protects good germs for your gut.    Our gastrointestinal tract is full of different microbes that help our digestive system break down the foods we eat. In return, our gut provides nourishment and safety to the bacteria.  Now, the belief is that the immune system cells found in the appendix are there to protect, rather than...
Review For Nursing Licensure Examination: Digestive System
2007-10-07 16:00:00
Review For Nursing Licensure Examination: Digestive System Slides Transcript Slide 1: The digestive system Slide 2: The DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Alimentary tract composed of organs, the primary function of which is the ingestion, digestion and absorption of nutrients Slide 3: The DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Consists of the tube extending from the mouth to the anus together with the associated organs- salivary
The best health tip ever is `cleanse the digestive system`
2007-09-11 06:20:00
Do you feel tired in the morning or general lack of energy. If you have taken medicines but with results much below expectations. I have come across a product that is one solution for many health problems. It is the Dual-Action Cleanse system that eliminates the toxins from your digestive system and tones up your ...
The best health tip ever is `cleanse the digestive system`
2007-09-11 06:20:00
Do you feel tired in the morning or general lack of energy. If you have taken medicines but with results much below expectations. I have come across a product that is one solution for many health problems. It is the Dual-Action Cleanse system that eliminates the toxins from your digestive system and tones up your ...
Keeping Your Digestive System Healthy
2007-08-22 11:01:00
Our body is made up of different systems. Without these systems, our body would be nothing but an immobile object. One of the systems that we would like to touch on right now is the Digestive System.The digestive system aids in digestion of the food we consume in our daily lives. Imagine how bloated your stomach would be if all those food you eat have been occupying your stomach for years without being digested!That is how important the system is. In digestion, the food that we guzzle will enter the small intestine and be broken down into smaller substances that will transform into nutrients circling our body. Some of the food will be left undigested, but that does not mean it will be stored in our stomach forever. The undigested food will enter the large intestine, be removed from our body system and convert to waste. At times, our digestive systems may encounter some setbacks while carrying out the process of digestion. One of them is constipation. When someone faces constipation,...
By: NAFASG
Hemochromatosis
2007-07-14 11:55:00
Hemochromatosis is the most common form of iron overload disease. Primary hemochromatosis, also called hereditary hemochromatosis, is an inherited disease. Secondary hemochromatosis is caused by anemia, alcoholism, and other disorders.Juvenile hemochromatosis and neonatal hemochromatosis are two additional forms of the disease. Juvenile hemochromatosis leads to severe iron overload and liver and heart disease in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 30. The neonatal form causes rapid iron buildup in a baby?s liver that can lead to death.Excess iron is stored in body tissues, specifically the liver, heart, and pancreas.Hemochromatosis causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. The extra iron builds up in the body?s organs and damages them. Without treatment, the disease can cause the liver, heart, and pancreas to fail.Iron is an essential nutrient found in many foods. The greatest amount is found in red meat and iron-fortified breads and cereals. In the body...
Whipple's Disease, Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
2007-07-13 23:02:00
Whipple's DiseaseWhipple's disease is a rare infectious disease that typically infects the bowel. It causes malabsorption primarily but may affect any part of the body including the heart, lungs, brain, joints, and eyes. It interferes with the body's ability to absorb certain nutrients. Whipple's disease causes weight loss, incomplete breakdown of carbohydrates or fats, and malfunctions of the immune system. When recognized and treated, Whipple's disease can usually be cured. Untreated, the disease may be fatal.Whipple's disease is caused by bacteria named Tropheryma whippelii. It can affect any system of the body, but occurs most often in the small intestine. Lesions appear on the wall of the small intestine and thicken the tissue. The villi?tiny, finger-like protrusions from the wall that help absorb nutrients?are damaged.Symptoms include diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and weakness. Arthritis and fever often occur sever...
Smoking and Your Digestive System
2007-07-13 23:02:00
Cigarette smoking causes many life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer, colon cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. Each year more than 400,000 Americans die from cigarette smoking. One in every five deaths in the United States is smoking related. Estimates show that about one-third of all adults smoke. Adult men seem to be smoking less, but women and teenagers of both sexes seem to be smoking more. Smoking affects the entire body, including the digestive system.What are the harmful effects of smoking on my digestive system?Smoking can harm all parts of the digestive system, contributing to such common disorders as heartburn and peptic ulcers. Smoking increases the risk of Crohn's disease, and possibly gallstones, which form when liquid stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material. Smoking also damages the liver.HeartburnHeartburn is common with more than 50 million Americans having it at least once a month and about 15 million having it daily.Heartb...
Collagenous Colitis and Lymphocytic Colitis
2007-07-13 23:02:00
Inflammatory bowel disease is the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines, most often referring to Crohn?s disease and ulcerative colitis. Collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis are two other types of bowel inflammation that affect the colon. The colon is a tube-shaped organ that runs from the first part of the large bowel to the rectum. Solid waste, or stool, moves through the colon to be eliminated. Collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis are not related to Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, which are more severe forms of inflammatory bowel disease.Collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis are also called microscopic colitis. Microscopic colitis means there is no sign of inflammation on the surface of the colon when viewed with a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy two tests that let a doctor look inside your large intestine. Because the inflammation isn?t visible, a biopsy is necessary to make a diagnosis. A doctor performs a biopsy b...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)- Continuation
2007-07-13 23:02:00
What is the treatment for IBS?Unfortunately, many people suffer from IBS for a long time before seeking medical treatment. Up to 70 percent of people suffering from IBS are not receiving medical care for their symptoms. No cure has been found for IBS, but many options are available to treat the symptoms. Your doctor will give you the best treatments available for your particular symptoms and encourage you to manage stress and make changes to your diet.Medications are an important part of relieving symptoms. Your doctor may suggest fiber supplements or laxatives for constipation or medicines to decrease diarrhea, such as Lomotil or loperamide (Imodium). An antispasmodic is commonly prescribed, which helps to control colon muscle spasms and reduce abdominal pain. Antidepressants may relieve some symptoms. However, both antispasmodics and antidepressants can worsen constipation, so some doctors will also prescribe medications that relax muscles in the bladder and intestines, such as Do...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
2007-07-13 23:02:00
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer. Most people can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed medications. For some people, however, IBS can be disabling. They may be unable to work, attend social events, or even travel short distances.As many as 20 percent of the adult population, or one in five Americans, has symptoms of IBS, making it one of the most common disorders diagnosed by doctors. It occurs more often in women than in men, and it begins before the age of 35 in about 50 percent of people.What are the symptoms of IBS?Abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort are the main symptoms of IBS. However, symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people have constipation, which means hard, difficult-to-pa...
Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
2007-07-13 23:02:00
Many people have small pouches in their colons that bulge outward through weak spots, like an inner tube that pokes through weak places in a tire. Each pouch is called a diverticulum. Pouches (plural) are called diverticula. The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis. About 10 percent of Americans over the age of 40 have diverticulosis. The condition becomes more common as people age. About half of all people over the age of 60 have diverticulosis.When the pouches become infected or inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. This happens in 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are also called diverticular disease.What are the symptoms?DiverticulosisMost people with diverticulosis do not have any discomfort or symptoms. However, symptoms may include mild cramps, bloating, and constipation. Other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and stomach ulcers cause similar problems, so these symptoms do not alway...
Crohn's Disease
2007-07-13 23:02:00
Crohn?s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn?s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.Crohn?s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn?s disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn?s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased...
Colon Polyps
2007-07-13 23:02:00
A polyp is extra tissue that grows inside your body. Colon polyps grow in the large intestine. The large intestine, also called the colon, is part of your digestive system. It's a long, hollow tube at the end of your digestive tract where your body makes and stores stool.Are polyps dangerous?Most polyps are not dangerous. Most are benign, which means they are not cancer. But over time, some types of polyps can turn into cancer. Usually, polyps that are smaller than a pea aren't harmful. But larger polyps could someday become cancer or may already be cancer. To be safe, doctors remove all polyps and test them.Who gets polyps?Anyone can get polyps, but certain people are more likely than others. You may have a greater chance of getting polyps ifyou're over 50. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop polyps.you've had polyps before.someone in your family has had polyps.someone in your family has had cancer of the large intestine.Find out if someone in your family has ...
Celiac Disease
2007-07-13 23:02:00
Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in products we use every day, such as stamp and envelope adhesive, medicines, and vitamins.The small intestine is shaded above.When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. The tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine are damaged or destroyed. Called villi, they normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, regardless of the quantity of food eaten.Villi on the lining of the small intestine help absorb nutrients.Because the body?s own immune system causes the damage, celiac disease is considered an autoimmune disorder. ...
Biliary Atresia
2007-07-13 23:02:00
Biliary atresia is a serious but rare disease of the liver that affects newborn infants. It occurs in about one in 10,000 children and is more common in girls than in boys and in Asian and African-American newborns than in Caucasian newborns. The cause of biliary atresia is not known, and treatments are only partially successful. Biliary atresia is the most common reason for liver transplantation in children in the United States and most of the Western world.The liver damage incurred from biliary atresia is caused by injury and loss (atresia) of the bile ducts that are responsible for draining bile from the liver. Bile is made by the liver and passes through the bile ducts and into the intestines where it helps digest food, fats, and cholesterol. The loss of bile ducts causes bile to remain in the liver. When bile builds up it can damage the liver, causing scarring and loss of liver tissue. Eventually the liver will not be able to work properly and cirrhosis will occur. Once the liv...
Barrett's Esophagus
2007-07-13 23:02:00
Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food and saliva from the mouth to the stomach, changes so that some of its lining is replaced by a type of tissue similar to that normally found in the intestine. This process is called intestinal metaplasia.While Barrett's esophagus may cause no symptoms itself, a small number of people with this condition develop a relatively rare but often deadly type of cancer of the esophagus called esophageal adenocarcinoma. Barrett's esophagus is estimated to affect about 700,000 adults in the United States. It is associated with the very common condition gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.Normal Function of the EsophagusThe esophagus seems to have only one important function in the body?to carry food, liquids, and saliva from the mouth to the stomach. The stomach then acts as a container to start digestion and pump food and liquids into the intestines in a controlled process. Food can then be pr...
Bacteria and Foodborne Illness
2007-07-13 17:28:00
Foodborne illnesses are caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Harmful chemicals can also cause foodborne illnesses if they have contaminated food during harvesting or processing. Foodborne illnesses can cause symptoms that range from an upset stomach to more serious symptoms, including diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Most foodborne infections are undiagnosed and unreported, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every year about 76 million people in the United States become ill from pathogens, or disease-causing substances, in food. Of these people, about 5,000 die.What are the causes of foodborne illnesses?Harmful bacteria are the most common cause of foodborne illnesses. Some bacteria may be present on foods when you purchase them. Raw foods are the most common source of foodborne illnesses because they are not sterile; examples include raw meat and poultry that may...
Bacteria and Foodborne Illness- Continuation
2007-07-13 17:28:00
What is food irradiation?Food irradiation is the treatment of food with high energy such as gamma rays, electron beams, or x rays as a means of cold pasteurization, which destroys living bacteria to control foodborne illnesses. The United States relies exclusively on the use of gamma rays, which are similar to ultraviolet light and microwaves and pass through food leaving no residue. Food irradiation is approved for wheat, potatoes, spices, seasonings, pork, poultry, red meats, whole fresh fruits, and dry or dehydrated products. Although irradiation destroys many bacteria, it does not sterilize food. Even if you?re using food that has been irradiated by the manufacturer, you must continue to take precautions against foodborne illnesses?through proper refrigeration and handling?to safeguard against any surviving organisms. If you are traveling with food, make sure perishable items such as meats are wrapped to prevent leakage. Be sure to fill the cooler with plenty of ice and store it...
Anatomic Problems of the Colon
2007-07-11 21:48:00
The colon, or large intestine, is part of the digestive system, which is a series of organs from the mouth to the anus. When the shape of the colon or the way it connects to other organs is abnormal, digestive problems result. Some of these anatomic problems can occur during embryonic development of the fetus in the womb and are known as congenital abnormalities. Other problems develop with age.Colon Anatomy and DevelopmentThe adult colon is about 5 feet long. It connects to the small bowel, which is also known as the small intestine. The major functions of the colon are to absorb water and salts from partially digested food that enters from the small bowel and then send waste out of the body through the anus. What remains after absorption is stool, which passes from the colon into the rectum and out through the anus when a person has a bowel movement.The colon comprises several segments:the cecum, the portion just after the small bowelthe ascending colonthe transverse colonthe desc...
Hemorrhoids, Proctitis
2007-07-11 21:48:00
The term hemorrhoids refers to a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed.Hemorrhoids may result from straining to move stool. Other contributing factors include pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and anal intercourse.Hemorrhoids are either inside the anus (internal) or under the skin around the anus (external).What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?Many anorectal problems, including fissures, fistulae, abscesses, or irritation and itching (pruritus ani), have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids.Hemorrhoids usually are not dangerous or life threatening. In most cases, hemorrhoidal symptoms will go away within a few days.Although many people have hemorrhoids, not all experience symptoms. The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. However, an internal hemorrhoid may protrude through the anus outside the body, becom...
Fecal Incontinence - Continued
2007-07-11 21:48:00
MedicationIf diarrhea is causing the incontinence, medication may help. Sometimes doctors recommend using bulk laxatives to help people develop a more regular bowel pattern. Or the doctor may prescribe antidiarrheal medicines such as loperamide or diphenoxylate to slow down the bowel and help control the problem.Bowel TrainingBowel training helps some people relearn how to control their bowels. In some cases, it involves strengthening muscles; in others, it means training the bowels to empty at a specific time of day.Use biofeedback. Biofeedback is a way to strengthen and coordinate the muscles and has helped some people. Special computer equipment measures muscle contractions as you do exercises?called Kegel exercises?to strengthen the rectum. These exercises work muscles in the pelvic floor, including those involved in controlling stool. Computer feedback about how the muscles are working shows whether you're doing the exercises correctly and whether the muscles are getting stron...
Fecal Incontinence
2007-07-11 21:48:00
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control your bowels. When you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, you may not be able to hold it until you can get to a toilet. Or stool may leak from the rectum unexpectedly.More than 5.5 million Americans have fecal incontinence. It affects people of all ages?children as well as adults. Fecal incontinence is more common in women than in men and more common in older adults than in younger ones. It is not, however, a normal part of aging.Loss of bowel control can be devastating. People who have fecal incontinence may feel ashamed, embarrassed, or humiliated. Some don't want to leave the house out of fear they might have an accident in public. Most try to hide the problem as long as possible, so they withdraw from friends and family. The social isolation is unfortunate but may be reduced because treatment can improve bowel control and make incontinence easier to manage.CausesFecal incontinence can have several causes:Constipationdamage to t...
Bleeding in the Digestive Tract
2007-07-11 21:18:00
Continuation...How is bleeding in the digestive tract recognized?The signs of bleeding in the digestive tract depend upon the site and severity of bleeding. If blood is coming from the rectum or the lower colon, bright red blood will coat or mix with the stool. The stool may be mixed with darker blood if the bleeding is higher up in the colon or at the far end of the small intestine. When there is bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, the stool is usually black or tarry. Vomited material may be bright red or have a coffee-grounds appearance when one is bleeding from those sites. If bleeding is occult, the patient might not notice any changes in stool color.If sudden massive bleeding occurs, a person may feel weak, dizzy, faint, short of breath, or have crampy abdominal pain or diarrhea. Shock may occur, with a rapid pulse, drop in blood pressure, and difficulty in producing urine. The patient may become very pale. If bleeding is slow and occurs over a long period of time,...
Common Digestive System Diseases
2007-07-11 21:18:00
Intestinal AdhesionsIntestinal adhesions are bands of fibrous tissue that can connect the loops of the intestines to each other, or the intestines to other abdominal organs, or the intestines to the abdominal wall. These bands can pull sections of the intestines out of place and may block passage of food. Adhesions are a major cause of intestinal obstruction.Adhesions may be present at birth (congenital) or may form after abdominal surgery or inflammation. Most form after surgery. They are more common after procedures on the colon, appendix, or uterus than after surgery on the stomach, gall bladder, or pancreas. The risk of developing adhesions increases with the passage of time after the surgery.SymptomsSome adhesions will cause no symptoms. If the adhesions cause partial or complete obstruction of the intestines, the symptoms one would feel would depend on the degree and the location of the obstruction. They include crampy abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating, an inability to pass g...
The human Digestive System
2007-07-11 21:18:00
The digestive system is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. Inside this tube is a lining called the mucosa. In the mouth, stomach, and small intestine, the mucosa contains tiny glands that produce juices to help digest food.Two solid organs, the liver and the pancreas, produce digestive juices that reach the intestine through small tubes. In addition, parts of other organ systems (for instance, nerves and blood) play a major role in the digestive system.Why is digestion important?When we eat such things as bread, meat, and vegetables, they are not in a form that the body can use as nourishment. Our food and drink must be changed into smaller molecules of nutrients before they can be absorbed into the blood and carried to cells throughout the body. Digestion is the process by which food and drink are broken down into their smallest parts so that the body can use them to build and nourish cells and to provide energy.How is food digeste...
Alli: Is This New Diet Drug A Digestive System Foe?
2007-06-15 07:14:00
Alli, the much hyped miracle weight loss drug that is now available over the counter may not be such a "miracle" after all. On the eve of it's retail debt, experts nationwide are debating its long-term efficacy and more importantly its safety. News reports are all over the internet filled with warnings, some even urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rethink it's approval as the first bottles are about to be purchased.Have you ever tried a fat blocker, like Xenical? Would you try Alli? Tell all.FDA approval of the weight-loss drug Alli for over-the-counter (OTC) sale ? the prescription dose version is Xenical (generic name orlistat) ? has raised some heavyweight questions, according to a Revolution Health report.Among the harshest warnings came from Public Citizen's director, Sidney Wolfe who "strongly urged people not to use this drug.?Wolfe actively petitioned the FDA against approval of Alli. ?There?s no evidence of long-term benefits, and [there are] many shor...
Gastric Bypass Surgery And The Digestive System
2007-04-20 10:40:00
We tend to use the term gastric bypass surgery somewhat loosely these days and include both true bypass operations such as the Roux-En-Y and popular and less radical forms of weight loss surgery such as gastric banding. While both have a role to play in curing the problem of obesity, bypass surgery takes full advantage ...
Cats are carnivores, and their digestive systems need plant
2007-01-16 21:45:01
Cats are carnivores, and their digestive systems need plant fiber, too, yet most commercial cat foods contain minimal amounts of meats and veggies. The average cat eats 10 to 20 small meals a day. That could keep you quite busy in the kitchen! Sauteed Liver for CatsHeat 1 teaspoon corn oil in a pan.Add 1/4 pound beef liver and fry on both sides until cooked but not dry inside. Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and mix it up with all the brown bits. Grind the liver in a blender, using the pan juices.Breakfast for Cats1 Tbsp. nonfat dry milk3 medium eggs3 Tbsp. cottage cheese2 Tbsp. grated veggiesMix together the milk powder with a small amount of water; add the eggs and beat well. Pour into a small non-stick frying pan and cook on medium low until done. Flip over and spread the cottage cheese and veggies over half the top. Fold like an omlet. Cool and cut to bite-sized pieces to serve.
Dog Health And Obstructions In The Digestive System
1969-12-31 19:00:00
Obstructions in the dogs body are quite common in many pets especially dogs, and its not uncommon for a pet owner to find this problem reoccurring many times in a dogs life caused by many different situations. An obstruction in the digestive system of your dog can be a very painful experience and may cause bout ...
Dog Health And Obstructions In The Digestive System
0000-00-00 00:00:00
Obstructions in the dogs body are quite common in many pets especially dogs, and its not uncommon for a pet owner to find this problem reoccurring many times in a dogs life caused by many different situations. An obstruction in the digestive system of your dog can be a very painful experience and may cause bout ...
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