The Digestive System

Diagram of the digestive system

What is the digestive system? When you eat, the food's journey through the body is governed by the digestive system. Digestion is the process of breaking down food so that it's small enough to be absorbed and used by the body for energy or in other bodily functions. Insert Picture

Cancer of the bowelCancer of the bowel Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s Disease Diabetes

Cancer of the Bowel What is it? – Bowel cancer, also known as rectal, colorectal or colon cancer, affects the lower part of the digestive system - the large bowel and the rectum.

Symptoms –Blood flecks in your stools, particularly if the blood is dark or plum-coloured. This is the most commonly noticed symptom and should never be ignored. –A change in your regular bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhoea, that's severe or lasts for two weeks or more. –A feeling that you need to empty your bowels even when you have just been to the toilet. –Abdominal pain or discomfort that lasts for two weeks or more. –Unexplained weight loss. –Some people feel tired, dizzy or breathless because they've become anaemic from microscopic bleeding from the bowel.

Effective use of our HSC VLE Research causes of Bowel Cancer Also exploring coping strategies (treatment, prevention, screening and living with) Access our VLE and use the link ‘NHS –Bowel Cancer ’ to aid this task

Ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis is a long-term (chronic) condition affecting the colon. colitis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp:// colitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx Symptoms: –bloody diarrhoea –abdominal pain –a frequent need to go to the toilet –weight loss

Causes: –It seems that the genes you inherit from your parents play a role in developing ulcerative colitis. –Where and how we live also seems to play a role in the development of ulcerative colitis. (diet, air pollution and hygiene) –Some researchers believe that a viral or bacterial infection triggers our body's natural defence system against infection, the immune system. Real life stories available on MOODLE

Effective use of our HSC VLE exploring coping strategies (treatment, prevention) Access our VLE and use the link ‘NHS – Ulcerative Colitis ’ to aid this task

Crohn’s Disease Crohn’s disease is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. Causes: –Genetics - genes that you inherit from your parents may increase your risk of developing Crohn’s disease (genetic susceptibility). –The immune system - it appears that the immune system is responsible for the inflammation that occurs in Crohn’s disease. –Previous infection - a previous bacterial, or viral, infection may trigger an abnormal response from the immune system. –Environmental factors - the fact that Crohn’s disease is most common in ‘westernised’ countries, such as the UK, and least common in poorer parts of the world, such as Africa, may be due to environmental factors.

Symptoms: –recurring diarrhoea –abdominal pain and cramping (the pain is usually worse after eating) –blood and mucus in your faeces (stools) –fatigue –weight loss Real life stories available on MOODLE

Effective use of our HSC VLE exploring coping strategies (treatment, self help) Access our VLE and use the link ‘NHS –Crohns disease’ to aid this task

Diabetes Diabetes is a long-term condition caused by too much glucose, a type of sugar, in the blood Causes: –Body unable to produce insulin –Being overweight or obese –Age –Genetic factors Symptoms: –feeling very thirsty –going to the toilet a lot, especially at night –extreme tiredness –weight loss and muscle wasting (loss of muscle bulk) Real life stories available on MOODLE

Effective use of our HSC VLE exploring coping strategies (treatment, self help) Access our VLE and use the link ‘NHS – diabetes’ to aid this task