1. Disorders of the Digestive System

2. ALACTASIA Also called “lactose intolerance” Very common
Individuals don’t produce enough lactase (enzyme)
Lactose (sugar from dairy products) does not get absorbed and ferments in large intestine
Symptoms: Flatulence, cramps, diarrhea
Treatment: decreased lactose intake
dietary lactase supplements

3. APPENDICITIS Inflammation of appendix
Most often occurs b/w ages 10 – 30
Signs/Symptoms: (vary)
- fever
- pain in Right lower quadrant
- high WBC (white blood cell)
Treatment: Appendectomy
- surgical removal of appendix

4. CHOLECYSTITIS Inflammation of gallbladder
Occurs when stones form in gallbladder from crystallized cholesterol, bile salts, and pigments
Signs / Symptoms: abd pain
Treatment: Diet changes to reduce fats
Lithotripsy – disolves stones using
bile acid & ultrasonic waves
Cholecystectomy – surgical removal of
gallbladder
(may be laproscopic)

5. CIRRHOSIS
Chronic degenerative condition of liver accompanied by formation of scar tissue
Common cause is alcoholism
Symptoms: jaundice
skin lesions
enlargement of liver
anemia (low RBC) / bleeding disorders
Treatment: designed to relieve symptoms
- diet modification / Stop alcohol intake
FATAL if liver is severely damaged

6. COLON CANCER Abnormal growth in large intestine
Warning signs: rectal bleeding, abd pain,
change in bowel habits
Testing: recommended after age 50
- digital rectal exam
- fecal occult blood tests
- colonoscopy
Precancerous polyps removed to prevent CA
Treatment: Removal of affected section
- may require colostomy

7. CONSTIPATION & DIARRHEA
Inability to defecate
Usually caused by diet lacking fiber or roughage, insufficient fluid intake, lack of exercise
Abd discomfort / distention
Treatment: correcting above causes or laxatives
Diarrhea
Frequent watery stools
Caused by infection, stress, or diet
Treatment: bland diet and sometimes medication

8. ULCER Open sore or hole in lining of digestive tract
Affect 1 in 4 adults in US
Stomach (gastric) ulcers – also called peptic ulcers:
caused by emotional stress that increases secretion
of stomach acid
Most duodenal ulcers: believed to be caused by bacterial infection (Helicobacter pylori) – the bacteria digests stomach lining and increases amt of acid production
- presence of bacteria determined by blood test for
antibodies, or biopsy of stomach tissue

9. ULCER (cont) Aggravated by tobacco, caffeine, aspirin, & alcohol
Treatment: bland diet, reduced stress,
& medication to decrease amount
of acid
- If caused by bacteria the ulcer is treated
with antibiotics
- Surgery is sometimes needed to remove
affected tissue

10. DIVERTICULITIS
Weakening of the colon wall leading to formation of a pouch (diverticula)
Can cause infection or abcesses if fecal material is trapped
Unknown cause
Symptoms: constipation, abd pain, loss of bowel sounds, & sometimes fever & rectal bleeding
Treatment: Surgery may be required to remove the affected part

11. GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE
GERD
Symptoms: frequent heartburn or chest pain, bitter taste in mouth, difficulty swallowing, and frequnt hoarseness or coughing
Over time may lead to damage of esophagus, difficulty swallowing, increased risk of throat CA
Treatment: Medications and/or change in time, type, & amount of food eaten.
*If these interventions fail surgery may be used to
improve function of sphincter

12. HEPATITIS Viral infection of liver
Hep A – transmitted in food or water by feces of
infected person
Hep B – transmitted in blood, saliva & other body
fluids
- more severe than Hep A
Symptoms: abd pain, discolored feces, & jaundice
Treatment: Bed rest
Diet low in fat & high in vitamins

13. CROHN’S DISEASE Inflammatory bowel disease Genetic abnormality
Inflammation & ulceration affecting ileum, colon or both
Symptoms: cramping, diarrhea, & bloody stools
More than 500,000 Americans have Crohn’s dz
Triggered by stress
Treatment: diet change, meds, surgery in severe cases to remove portions of bowel

14. ULCERATIVE COLITIS Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Involves wall of colon & rectum
Symptoms: watery diarrhea containing
blood, mucus, & pus
Triggers: Emotional stress
Treatment: Diet changes, medication, &
surgery in severe cases

15. PANCREATITIS Mild, acute, or chronic condition
Occurs from gallbladder stone blockage, disease, injury, or alcoholism
80% of acute cases are from gallbladder disease & alcoholism
Signs/Symptoms: pain, vomiting, abd distention,
& fever
Treatment: low-fat diet, monitoring blood sugar, pain relief, & sometimes surgery

16. PHENYLKETONURIA Inherited disease Abnormal metabolism of some proteins
Brain damage leading to convulsions & mental disability if untreated
1 in 8000 babies
All newborns routinely screened (PKU)
Treatment: Diet modification &
Monitoring blood levels of proteins

17. PYLORIC STENOSIS Birth defect
Constricted pyloric sphincter – prevents food from passing into small intestine
Symptoms:
Projectile vomiting,
diarrhea, dehydration,
& weight loss
Treatment: Surgical correction

18. TAY-SACHS DISEASE
Genetic disorder in which fat cells accumulate in the body and cause damage to normal cells
Enzyme that metabolizes lipids is not produced
Symptoms appear b/w 3 to 6 months of age
- progressive loss of muscle control, blindness,
deafness, & paralysis
No specific therapy, always leads to death
(usually before age 3)
People of Eastern European Jewish origin

19. Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach lining which may be caused by many factors including the bacteria
H. pylori
S/S: stomach pain, heartburn, indigestion, & possible peptic ulcer
Treatment: Antibiotics & proton pump inhibitors to heal the stomach lining
Group of meds used to decrease stomach acid

20. Halitosis
Bad breath
Cause: Anaerobic bacteria that produce foul smelling sulfur compounds on the surface of the tongue & throat
Treatment: Use of compounds containing a combo of different compounds/toothpaste that removes odor – may also include scraping of the tongue to remove coating of white plaque

21. Heartburn
Painful, burning sensation in the esophagus caused by the backflow of acidic chyme from the stomach
Treatment: Weight loss, wearing lose clothing, diet modification, maintaining upright position during ingestion of food & after, or antacids to reduce the acid

22. Hemmorrhoid Painful, dilated vein in the lower rectum or anus
Cause: straining to defecate, pressure of enlarged uterus during pregnancy, insufficient fluid intake, refined food, & abuse of laxatives
Treatment: soaking the area with sitz bath, fecal softeners, medication & sometimes surgery

23. Mumps Viral infection of the parotid glands Highly contagious
Most common in age 5 – 15
S/S: Painful swelling of the parotid glands, fever
- in older patients the infection may cause damage to the testes and ovaries
(possibly leading to sterility)
Prevention: Vaccine
Treatment: Relief of symptoms

24. Peritonitis Inflammation of the peritoneum
Cause: Infection from bacteria or fungi
- may enter from injured bowel
S/S: Vomiting, abdominal pain
Treatment: Antibiotics
- treatment is essential before sepsis occurs

25. Page 223 of text lists many illnesses originating from foods:
FOOD-BORNE ILLNESS
Page 223 of text lists many illnesses originating from foods:
Undercooked food
Unpasteurized cheeses
Food contaminated with bacteria
Preservatives

26. EATING DISORDERS Bulimia: -Eating disorder characterized by
binge eating (rapid, uncontrolled)
and purging (self induced vomiting)
or use of laxatives
- often affects teenage women but may
occur in older women and also men

27. EATING DISORDERS (cont.)
Anorexia Nervosa:
- Often perfectionists who appear confident
and in control but actually lack confidence &
perceive themselves as incompetent and
overweight, even when significantly
underweight
- Often have a very controlling parent and
they use food as their method of control

28. EATING DISORDERS (cont.)
Bulimia & Anorexia are considered addictions
Purging - may cause rashes, dry skin, and swollen
salivary glands and can lead to destruction of
tooth enamel & tooth decay, irregular heart
action, ulcers, colitis, muscle weakness & cramps,
perforated esophagus, & absence of menstrual
period
Can be controlled with counseling & behavior modification programs
May result in death if untreated!!!