Medical Therapeutics

 Group of organs that changes food that has been eaten into a form that can be used by the body’s cells.

 Also known as the gastrointestinal system or  GI Track  The connecting chain of organs is referred to as the alimentary canal.

1. Ingestion 2. Digestion 3. Absorption 4. Elimination

 Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine

 Two layers of involuntary muscles When food enters the esophagus, the muscles alternate contract and relax, squeezing the bolus. Together they create the peristaltic movement which moves the bolus to the stomach The whole process takes less than 5 seconds

 The upper opening to the stomach is controller by a circular muscle called the cardiac sphincter  10 inches long, j shaped  Constructed of 3 layers 

 1. Carbohydrates  2. Proteins  3. Fats

 A tube about 1 inch in diameter and about 20 feet long  Divided into 3 sections  1 st is a c shaped section about 9 inches long called the duodenum common area for ulcers known as duodenal ulcer

 Largest gland in the body  Lies below the diaphragm in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen extending into the left upper quadrant  Secrets bile at a rate of over a pint a day  Gives the fecal material it brown color

 Small sac attached to the underside of the liver  Sole purpose is to store bile for use during digestion  Cystic duct empties the GB  Hepatic duct from the liver connect to form the common bile duct The common bile duct empties into the duodenum to be added to the chyme during the digestion process

 Lies behind the stomach with the head in the bend of the duodenum  Empties pancreatic juices into the duodenum which aids in digestion  Secretes insulin directly into the blood stream

 No digestion occurs in this area  Colon also frames the abdomen  Absorbs excess fluid from chyme through capillaries in the lining  Only about five feet long

 Cholecystography-x-ray of the gallbladder after administration of contrast media  Colonoscopy- Examination using a fiber optic scope to examine the entire colon

 Anorectal abscess and fistula- localized infection of the tissue adjacent to the rectum  Sings throbbing pain lump which makes sitting and coughing uncomfortable  Causes- sharp object in the feces such as fish bone or sea shell,  Treatment-surgery to drain the access

 Inflammation of the colon causing tenderness and discomfort  May be acute due to bacteria or chronic due an allergy or emotional stress  Treatment-none has to run its course

 Second leading cause of death (2 nd to lung)  93% of cases occur after 50 more in women than men  Very slow growing if caught early can be cured  54% cases will occur in the rectum  21% in sigmoind,5% in descending colon, 3% in Splenic flexure, 5% transverse colon, 3% in the hepatic flexure 9% cecum

 An opening in the wall of the abdomen that allows fecal material to excrete from the body  Can be temporary or permanent  Indicated when an obstruction of the large bowel occurs near or at the sigmoid colon

 Sluggish bowel  Signs- dry, hard, infrequent bowel movement  Causes- diet, meds, dehydration, lack of exercise  Treatment- stool softeners, increase fluid intake  Add fiber to the diet

 Inflammation of any part of the colon  Most common at the end of the cecum Signs- appendicitis type pain, cramping, pain and tenderness, bloody stool, tenderness in right lower quadrant  Treatment- liquid diet, pain meds, steroids for inflammation

 Runny stools  Signs- pain in abdomen followed by urgency with watery loose stool  Treatment- antiditreatment of the underlying problem diarrhea meds, decrease fluid intake and fiber,

 Inflammation of the stomach  Signs- pain the term may be applied to such conditions as intestinal flu, diarrhea and food poisoning.  Cause- bacteria, food poisoning, drug reaction  Treatment- maalox, mylanna, anti gas type meds.