Diseases of the Digestive System

1. Diseases of the Digestive System Principles of Health Science 2012

2. Appendicitis • Acute inflammation of the appendix usually caused by an obstruction and infection

3. Symptoms: • (1)Generalized abdominal pain that later localizes at the lower right • (2) Nausea and vomiting • (3) Mild fever • (4) Elevated white blood cell count

6. If appendix ruptures, infectious material spills out into peritoneal cavity and causes peritonitis, a serious condition

7. Treatment: • Appendectomy- Removal of the appendix

8. Cholecystitis • A. Inflammation of the gallbladder • B. Cholelithiasis: gallstones form from crystallized cholesterol, bile salts, and bile pigments

10. Symptoms: • (1)frequently occur after eating fatty foods • (2) Indigestion, nausea and vomiting • (3) Pain under the rib that radiates to the right shoulder • (4) If gallstone blocks bile ducts, gallbladder can rupture and cause peritonitis

11. Treatment: • (1) Low fat diets • (2) Lithotripsy: shock waves to shatter gallstones • (3) Cholecystectomy: surgical removal of gallbladder

14. Cirrhosis • Chronic destruction of liver cells accompanied by the formation of fibrous connective and scar tissue

15. Causes: • Malnutrition associated with alcoholism • Hepatitis • Bile duct disease • Chemical toxins

17. Symptoms: • (1) Vary and become more severe as disease progresses • (2) enlargement of the liver • (3) anemia and nosebleeds • (4) indigestion, nausea and vomiting • (5) jaundice or yellow discoloration

19. (5) ascites or an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

20. (6) When liver function fails, disorientation, hallucinations, hepaticcoma, and death occur

21. Treatment: (1) Directed toward preventing further damage to the liver • (2) Avoiding alcohol and preventing infections • (3) Proper nutrition and vitamin supplements • (4) Rest and appropriate exercise are encouraged

22. Constipation • a. Condition that occurs when fecal material remains in the colon too long, causing excessive reabsorption of water • b. Feces or stool becomes hard, dry, and difficult to eliminate

23. Causes: • poor bowel habits • chronic use of laxatives, causing a “lazy” bowel • diets low in fiber • certain digestive diseases

24. Treatment: • Usually corrected by a diet high in fiber, adequate fluids, and exercise • (1) At times, laxatives used to stimulate defecation • (2) Frequent use of laxatives may be habit forming and lead to chronic constipation

25. Diarrhea • Condition characterized by frequent watery stools

26. Causes: • Infections • Stress • Diet • An irritated colon • Toxic substances

27. Extremely dangerous in infants and small children due to the excessive loss of fluids

28. Treatment: • (1) Eliminate the cause • (2) Provide adequate fluidintake • (3) Modify the diet

29. Diverticulitis • (1) Inflammation of diverticula, pouches or sacs that form in the intestine as the mucosal lining pushes through the surrounding muscle • (2) When fecal material and bacteria become trapped in diverticula, inflammation occurs • (3) Can cause an abscess or rupture leading to peritonitis

30. Symptoms: (1) Vary depending on the amount of inflammation • (2) Abdominal pain • (3)Irregular bowel movements and flatus (gas) • (4) Constipation or diarrhea • (5) Abdominal distention (swelling) • (6) Low-grade fever • (7) Nausea and vomiting

31. Treatment: • (1) Antibiotics, stool softening and pain medications • (2) Surgery to remove the affected section of colon

32. Gastroenteritis • Inflammation of mucous membrane lining the stomach and intestinal tract

33. Causes: • food poisoning • Infections • toxins

34. Symptoms: • abdominal cramping • nausea • vomiting • fever • diarrhea

35. Treatment: • (1) Usually rest and increased fluid intake • (2) In severe cases, antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and medications to slow peristalsis may be used

36. Hemorrhoids • Painful, dilated or varicose veins of rectum and/or anus

38. Causes: • (1) Straining to defecate or constipation • (2) Pressure during pregnancy • (3) Insufficient fluid intake • (4) Abuse of laxatives • (5) Prolonged sitting or standing

39. Symptoms: • Pain • Itching • Bleeding

40. Treatment: • (1) High fiber diet and increased fluid intake • (2) Stool softeners • (3) Sitzbaths or warm moist compresses • (4) Hemorrhoidectomy in severe cases

41. Hepatitis • Viral inflammation of the liver

42. Type A (HAV) or infectious hepatitis • (a) Highly contagious • (b) Transmitted in food or water that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person • (c) Vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A

43. Type B (HBV) or serum hepatitis • (a) Transmitted by blood and serum • (b) More serious than type A and can lead to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver • (c) Hepatitis B vaccine recommended for all health workers

44. Other strains of hepatitis include Types C, D, and E

45. Symptoms: • Fever • Anorexia • Nausea • Vomiting • Fatigue • Dark colored urine • Clay-colored stool • Enlarged liver • Jaundice

46. Treatment: • (1) Rest • (2) Diet high in protein and calories and low in fat • (3) Liver transplant may be necessary if liver is severely damaged

47. Hernia or rupture • Occurs when an internal organ pushes through a weakened area or natural opening in a body wall

48. Hiatal Hernia: • Stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity through the opening for the esophagus

49. Symptoms: • heartburn • distention of the stomach • chest pain • difficulty in swallowing

50. Treatment: • blanddiet • small, frequent meals • not lying down after eating • surgical repair