Introduction

INTRODUCTION- DIGESTIVE DISORDERS

Digestive Disorders GastroIntestinal Diseases

  • When food is taken the body breaks food down to a form it can use to build and nourish cells and provide energy.This process is called Digestion.
  • The digestive system is made up of the digestive tract—a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus—and other organs that help the body break down and absorb food.
  • Organs that make up the digestive tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine—also called the colon—rectum, and anus.
  • Inside these hollow organs 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.
  • The digestive tract also contains a layer of smooth muscle that helps break down food and move it along the tract.
  • Two “solid” digestive organs, the liver and the pancreas, produce digestive juices that reach the intestine through small tubes called ducts.
  • The gallbladder stores the liver’s digestive juices until they are needed in the intestine.
  • Parts of the nervous and circulatory systems also play major roles in the digestive system.
  • There are many types of digestive disorders.
  • The symptoms vary widely depending on the problem.
  • In general, the patient should see a doctor if he has
    • Blood in your stool.
    • Changes in bowel habits.
    • Severe abdominal pain.
    • Unintentional weight loss.Heartburn not relieved by antacids.
Last modified: Thursday, 18 August 2011, 10:34 AM