2.4 Digestive disorders

• GALLSTONES

  • CHOLESTEROL, which is a non- soluble component of BILE, serves as a binding agent for salt crystals
  • can cause serious pain and inflammation
  • Makes it harder to digest FATS
  • Life threatening if it ruptures
  • Medication may help to dissolve gallstones. May need to be removed if serious enough
• ULCERS

  • Certain Bacterial Infections, can lead to a breakdown of the moucous lining of the stomach
  • This exposes stomach cells to ACID and PEPSIN
  • Very painful, especially after eating spicy foods
  • often sealed up by lasers
• APPENDICITIS

  • Happens when the APPENDIX becomes infected and inflamed
  • you feel a sharp pain on the sight side of your abdomen, vomiting, and fever
  • Treated through the removal of the appendix (we don't need it for anything)
  • Life threatening if the appendix ruptures (sepsis)
• Heartburn

  • caused when the cardiac sphinctor doesn't seal up properly
  • Stomach acid washes up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation
  • Tomatoes, spicy food and alcohol are especially bad
  • can be treated by antacids like TUMS ( which neutralise the acid)
• Celiac disease

  • An autoimmune disease, where upon exposure to gluten ( a protein found in WHEAT), our immune system starts attacking the walls of our small intestine
  • Leads to shortening of villi
  • Causes diarrhoea, weight loss and fatigue ( as you aren't able to properly absorb nutrients )
  • Must shift to GLUTEN FREE DIET