malfunctions

• irritable bowel syndrome

  Symptoms:

  • Stomach pain and cramping.

  • Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation, or both.

  • Bloating and swelling of the stomach.

  • Excessive wind, known as flatulence.

  • Sudden need to go to the toilet.

  • Feeling that the bowels have not fully emptied after going to the toilet.

  • Mucus passing from the anus.
• irritable bowel syndrome 


  Biological explanation:

  • With irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) food moves through the digestive system either too quickly or too slowly. If the food moves too quickly it causes diarrhoea because not enough water is absorbed by the intestines. If too slowly it results in constipation because too much water is absorbed by the intestines and this makes the faeces hard.
  • It is also thought possible that problems with the absorption of bile during the digestive process may be a cause of IBS in some cases.
• irritable bowel syndrome


  Causes:

  • IBS is believed to be linked to an increased sensitivity of the gut to certain foods. It is also thought to be related to problems with digesting food.
  • In many people the symptoms seem to be triggered by something they have eaten or drunk. Changes in diet and lifestyle can be important in managing and controlling the condition.
• coeliac disease


  Symptoms:

  • Indigestion, stomach pain, bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea or constipation, anaemia and loss of appetite.
  • Feeling tired all the time as a result of malnutrition.
  • Children not growing at the expected rate and adults experiencing unexpected weight loss.
• coeliac disease


  Biological explanation:

  • An autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system, which fights infection, mistakes part of the body for a threat and attacks it. The immune system mistakes gliadin, a substance found in gluten, as a threat to the body and so attacks it. This causes damage to the villi (tiny projections lining the small intestine). The antibodies cause the surface of the intestine to become inflamed and the villi are flattened, meaning the body's ability to absorb nutrients is disrupted.
• coeliac disease


  • Villi normally helps nutrients from food be absorbed through the small intestine walls into the bloodstream. Coeliac disease is not a food allergy or a gluten intolerance. It is an autoimmune response, where healthy substances are mistaken for harmful ones and the body produces antibodies against them.
• coeliac disease 


  Causes:

  • It often runs in families; if someone has a close relative with the condition their chance of developing it is higher.
  • Research has shown it is strongly associated with a number of genetic mutations that affect a group of genes (HLA-D genes) that are responsible for the development of the immune system.
  • There is evidence that introducing gluten into a baby's diet before six months may increase their risk of developing the condition.
• gallstones


  Symptoms:

  • Abdominal pain, which can be sudden and severe
  • Excessive sweating, feeling sick or vomiting
  • Jaundice - yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
  • Itchy skin, diarrhoea
  • Loss of appetite
• gallstones


  Biological explanation:

  • Gallstones can form if:
  • there are unusually high levels of cholesterol inside the gallbladder O there are unusually high levels of a waste product called bilirubininside the gallbladder.
  • These chemical imbalances cause tiny crystals to develop in the bile. These can gradually grow (often over many years) into solid stones that can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pebble.Sometimes only one stone will form, but often several develop at the same time.
• gallstones


  Cause:

  • Gallstones are thought to be caused by an imbalance in the chemical make-up of bile inside the gallbladder.
  • Gallstones are more common if an individual is overweight or obese, is aged over 40 years, has a condition that affects the flow of bile (such as cirrhosis of the liver, Crohn's disease or IBS) or has a close family member who has also had gallstones.
• monitoring treatment and care

  • Ultrasound: An ultrasound can be used to examine the liver and other organs in the abdomen and pelvis. A lubricating gel is used on the skin to allow smooth movement of a small hand-held probe, which is moved over the body part that is being examined. Sound waves bounce back off the body tissues, forming an image on a monitor screen.
• • Gastroscopy using an endoscope: A gastroscopy examines the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The procedure uses a long, flexible tube called an endoscope. The tube has a light and a video camera at one end. Endoscopes are inserted into the body through a natural opening such as the mouth or anus. It can be uncomfortable so a local anaesthetic spray is used to numb the throat. It takes around an hour to carry out and is used to investigate symptoms such as difficulty swallowing and persistent abdominal pain.
• • Cholangiography: A procedure called a cholangiography can give further information about the condition of the gallbladder. A cholangiography uses a dye that shows up on X-rays. The dye may be injected into the bloodstream or injected directly into the bile ducts during surgery or using an endoscope passed through the mouth.After the dye has been introduced, X-ray images are taken, which will reveal any abnormality in the bile or pancreatic systems.
• Treatment for IBS:


  • To avoid diarrhoea:
  • cut down on high-fibre foods, like wholegrain foods (such as brown bread and brown rice), nuts and seeds
  • avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol.
  • To avoid bloating, cramps, flatulence:
  • avoid foods that are hard to digest, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, onions and dried fruit
  • eat up to 1 tablespoon of linseeds a day.
• Treatment for coeliac disease:

  • Give up all foods containing gluten for life to avoid long-term damage to health.
  • Vaccinations, e.g. flu jab, as individuals with coeliac disease are more vulnerable to infection.
  • Vitamin and mineral supplements can also help correct any dietary deficiencies.
• Treatment for gallstones: 


  • Treatment depends on how the symptoms are affecting the individual's daily life.
  • For someone who doesn't have any symptoms, a policy of 'active monitoring' is often recommended. This means the individual does not receive immediate treatment but they should let their GP know if they notice any symptoms, because if the gallstones start to block the gallbladder they will cause pain and nausea and treatment will be needed.
  • If it becomes necessary to remove the gallbladder this is usually done by keyhole surgery.
• treatment for gallstones:


  Medication it is possible to take tablets to dissolve small alstones.These are not prescribed very often, however, because:O they are not always that effective

  o they need to be taken for a long time — up to two years o gallstones can recur once treatment is stopped.

  • Lithotripsy iS non-surgical treatment where a tiny endoscope probe is used to deliver shock waves that shatter the gallstones. The camera on the endoscope allows the surgeon to see the gallstones shattering.
• impact on diet and lifestyle

  IBS:

  • Abdominal pain and discomfort from bloating may restrict sleep, leading to tiredness and emotional frustration.
  • The need to visit the toilet may restrict trips out and socialising
  • flatulence may be embarrassing and reduce confidence when socialising with others
  • Can restrict diet and may make socialising difficult and embarrassing as the individual may not be able to eat or drink the same as friends.
  • Coffee and fizzy drinks can cause irritation in the gut, so need to be
  • May need to avoid stressful situations - this is not always easy.
• impacts on diet and lifestyle

  coeliac disease:

  • Remove gluten from the diet by excluding wheat products, otherwise villi will be damaged.
  • Take additional vitamin and mineral supplements
  • Read food labels very carefully when shopping as flour is often used as a thickening agent.
  • Take care when eating out - look for gluten-free products. Most items on menus are likely to contain gluten.
  • Take care when eating at the homes of family and friends (as above).
  • Avoid using oil that has been used to fry gluten - may be traces of products containing gluten, e.g. batter.
• impacts on diet and lifestyle


  gallstones:

  • The gallbladder is not an essential organ and so individuals can lead a normal life without one.
  • After surgery to remove the gallbladder some people may experience symptoms of bloating and diarrhoea after eating fatty or spicy food. It is recommended to avoid those types of food.
  • It is recommended to eat a healthy and balanced diet based on the Eatwell Guide. This involves eating a variety of foods - including moderate amounts of fat - and having regular meals.