Digestive Disorders

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Digestive Disorders
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Introduction

• Doctors who specialize in gastroenterology see
  patients with digestive problems.

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Symptoms

• The following are some of the symptoms one could
  have that indicate a digestive problem
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Pain in the abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Bloating after eating
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting blood or blood in the stool (feces)

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Digestive Disorders

• Digestive disorders can be
• Structural a physical abnormality that
  interferes with normal function.
• Malabsorptive problems with nutrient absorption.
• Inflammatory Something causes swelling and/or
  bleeding.

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Hiatus Hernia

• Structural disorder
• A portion of the stomach pushes up into the chest
  cavity through the spot normally occupied by the
  esophagus.
• Usually have this from birth, but can get it from
  obesity or from strenuous physical activity.
• Need surgery usually to correct it.

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Celiac Disease

• Malabsorptive disorder.
• An allergic reaction to gluten, a protein present
  in most grains.
• The villi and microvilli of the small intestine
  are destroyed therefore preventing the absorption
  of nutrients.
• Only treatment is a gluten free diet.

Normal villi Celiac Disease villi
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Crohns Disease

• Inflammatory disorder
• A chronic inflammation of the intestines.
• Ulcers in the intestines.
• Rectal bleeding, weight loss and fever.
• It has no known cause.
• Nuclear imaging or colonoscopy are used to
  diagnose it.
• Treatment may include medication, surgery or
  nutritional supplements.

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Homework

1. For each part of the digestive system, determine
   a disorder associated with that particular
   portion and determine what general type of
   disorder it is (structural, malabsorptive or
   inflammatory).
2. If someone had their gall bladder removed, what
   type of dietary changes would they have to make.
3. Is obesity a digestive disorder? Why or why not?