Lower Gastrointestinal Disorders

Common Intestinal problems

1-Constipation Difficulty passing stools or infrequent bowel movements; often diagnosed when individual has fewer than 3 bowel movements/week

Other symptoms may include: 1.The passage of hard stool 2.Excessive straining during defecation.

Constipation - Causes Low food intake Low-fiber diets Inactivity Certain disorders : hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal disease Neurological conditions may cause motor problems in the intestine

Higher among women especially during pregnancy Increases somewhat with aging

Constipation – Causes Side effects of medications and dietary supplements such as : 1.aluminum-containing antacids, 2. iron and calcium supplements.

Constipation – Treatment Gradual increase in fiber – wheat bran, fruits,vegetables and fiber supplements grams/day

High fiber diet : 1.increase stool weight 2.promote a more rapid transit of materials through the colon Add prunes or prune juice to the diet because it have mild laxative effects

Constipation – Treatment Make sure that patient has sufficient fluid intake to prevent dehydration, which draws water from the colon to increase hydration in the rest of the body. Increasing daily exercise

Constipation – Laxatives Laxatives work by : 1.Increasing stool weight 2.Increasing water content of the stool 3.Stimulating peristaltic contractions

2- Diarrhea Diarrhea is characterized by passage of frequent, watery stools

In severe cases may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances If chronic, may lead to weight loss and malnutrition

Types and causes of diarrhea Osmotic diarrhea : unabsorbed nutrients attract water to the colon and increase fecal water content The usual causes include: 1.Lactase deficiency 2.High intake of poorly absorbed sugars like sorbitol, manitol or fructose which retain fluids in the colon

Secretory diarrhea : Intestines are stimulated to secrete fluid that exceeds the colon’s capacity for reabsorption This type is often due to bacterial food poisoning, intestinal inflammation

Motility disorders : cause diarrhea by acceleration of entry of fluids into the colon, that shortens the contact time needed for fluid reabsorption

Diarrhea - Causes Acute diarrhea : Lasts for less than several weeks Chronic diarrhea: Lasts for a month or longer

Nutrition therapy of diarrhea The nutrition prescription depends on the medical diagnosis and severity of the condition. Low-residue, low-fat, lactose-free diet: Low residue diet limits foods that contribute to colonic residue, such as those with large amounts of fiber, lactose, fructose. Avoid gas-producing foods because it can increase intestinal distention and cause additional discomfort

Avoid of fatty foods because it aggravate diarrhea Avoid coffee and tea because caffeine stimulates GI motility and reduce water reabsorption

Oral rehydration therapy Oral Rehydration therapy can be used in severe cases Containing water, salts, glucose or sucrose Commercial sports drinks are generally not recommended because their sodium content is too low.May be used with salty snack IV solutions are used in extreme dehyderation.

Malabsorption Syndromes

Fat Malabsorption Fat is the nutrient most frequently malabsorbed because both digestive enzymes and bile must be present for its digestion Thus it develops when an illness interferes with the production or secretion of either bile or pancreatic lipase

Fat Malabsorption It develops also as a result of cancer radiation therapy which damage the intestine mucosa. Motility disorders in the stomach of intestine cause fat malabsorption because they prevent the normal mixing of dietary fat with digestive enzymes..

Fat Malabsorption is often evidenced by steatorrhea Steatorrhea: Excessive fat in the stools resulting from fat malabsorption; characterized by stools that are loose, frothy, and very bad smell due to a high fat content

Consequences of Fat Malabsorption Loss of: Energy Fatty acids Fat-soluble vitamins – A, D, E, K Minerals Calcium, magnesium, zinc because minerals form soaps with unabsorbed fatty acids. Bone disease

The risk of Kidney stones increase The oxalates in foods ordinarily bind to calcium in the small intestine and are excreted in the stool. If calcium instead binds to unabsorbed fatty acids, oxalates are free to be absorbed into the blood and are excreted in the urine. The risk of developing oxalate stones increases when urinary oxalate levels are high.

Dietary adjustments for fat malabsorption Fat restricted diet is recommended to relive the symptoms Fat should not be restricted more than necessary Medium-chain triglycerides which do not require lipase or bile for digestion and absorption may be used.It dose not provide EFA and give 8.1 kcal/g

Lactose Intolerance High incidence: approximately 75% of population worldwide Rarely serious Most individuals (with lactose intolerance) can tolerate milk if consumed with other foods & limit amount consumed at one time

Cause of lactose intolerance Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest and absorb lactose (the sugar in milk) that results from reduction or loss of lactase, enzyme that digests lactose in milk products

symptoms of lactose intolerance Symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose. Common signs and symptoms include: Diarrhea Nausea Abdominal cramps Bloating Gas Symptoms are usually mild, but they may sometimes be severe.

Dietary management of lactose intolerance In the mild cases,gradually increased consumption of lactose-containing products Divide milk intake throughout the day Consume milk with meals Chocolate milk may be better tolerated than plain Aged cheeses well tolerated especially hard cheese, which contains very small quantities of lactose and is usually very rich in calcium (e.g. parmesan, cheddar). Yogurts with live bacterial cultures that aid in lactose digestion Addition of lactase preparation to milk or use of enzyme tablet before consumption patients can also try lactose-free milk ”soy milk”

Conditions Affecting the Small Intestine

Celiac Disease Celiac Disease : A condition characterized by an abnormal immune reaction to wheat gluten that causes severe intestinal damage and nutrient malabsorption

Consequences of celiac disease The immune reaction to gluten causes severe damage to the small intestine. mucosa. Absorptive surface appears flattened due to shortening or absence of villi Results in malabsorption of macronutrients, fat-soluble vitamins, electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, folate, and vitamin B 12 Develop anemia and low bone density

Symptoms of celiac disease Diarrhea Steatorrhea Flatulence Lactase deficiency may result from mucosal damage children often have stunted growth, underweight Severe rash

Individuals with celiac disease who do not eliminate gluten from the diet are at increased risk of lymphotic and intestinal cancer.

Medical nutrition therapy of celiac disease Lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet Avoid lactose-containing foods if lactase deficiency is found. Eliminate wheat, rye, barley Read labels carefully – replace bread, pasta, cereal Can be social liability Diet counseling

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Conditions having patterns of inflammation Complex set of genetic and environmental factors( bacteria – irritant- viral) contribute to the development but the exact cause is unknown. Occurs most frequently in persons years of age

1- Ulcerative Colitis An inflammatory bowel disease that involves the colon. Inflammation affects the mucosa and submucosa of the intestinal wall. Involves rectum and extends into the colon Symptoms: Diarrhea Rectal bleeding Abdominal pain

Normal Colon Ulcerative Colitis

Complications – Ulcerative Colitis: Weight loss,fever, weakness are common when most of the colon is involved A decrease in the oral intake of nutrients is a common symptom and is often due to abdominal pain fever

Mucosal inflammation and its associated diarrhea or bleeding lead to a loss of protein, blood, minerals, electrolytes and trace elements. severe disease is often associated with anemia, dehydration, fluid & electrolyte imbalances High risk of developing colon cancer – colectomy may be performed (20-25%)

Medical therapy for ulcerative colitis: Drug therapy Antidiarrheal agents Immunosuppressants Anti-inflammatory agents Surgical interventions

Nutrition therapy for ulcerative colitis: The primary goal are to: Replace fluid and electrolyte losses Correction of deficiencies due to protein and blood losses Low-fiber diet may reduce irritation by minimizing fecal volume

Bowel rest if colon function severely impaired : food and fluids may be withheld and fluids and electrolytes supplied intravenously until colon function is restored.

Conditions Affecting the Large Intestine

Diverticular Disease of the colon Development of pebble-sized herniations in the intestinal wall known as diverticula. Most often occurs in sigmoid colon Prevalence increases with age

Diverticular Disease

Diverticular Disease of the Colon Development is influenced by the amount of dietary fiber a person consumes Increasing the stool bulk by high fiber intake may reduce the workload of the intestine muscle that moves the wastes through the colon. Low-fiber diet increases the pressure in the intestine, causing small areas of the intestinal wall to balloon outward over time.

Diverticulitis Diverticulitis : Localized inflammation or infection develops in the area around a diverticulum It is the most common complication of diverticulum Thought to result from hardened fecal matter that abrades the mucosal lining Causes inflammation May cause microperforation – infection – fistulas – peritonitis

Symptoms of Diverticulitis Persistent abdominal pain Fever Constipation Bleeding Nausea & vomiting

Nutrition therapy for diverticular disease Gradual increase in dietary fiber – insoluble fibers Avoid nuts, popcorn, and foods that contain seeds to prevent disease progression

In mild cases clear liquid diet may be advised initially that is gradually progressed to low-fiber, low-residue diet until inflammation and bleeding subside For severe cases bowel rest is necessary ( IV). Oral intake are gradually started as condition improves.

Medical treatment for diverticular disease Pain relief medication Antibiotics Surgical interventions may be needed for affected portion of colon (colectomy