1. Digestive System Disorders
Chapter 18

2. Anorexia Common More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Usually self-diagnosable
Lab tests or imaging not required
Anorexia is characterized by a distorted body image, with an unwarranted fear of being overweight.
Symptoms include trying to maintain a below-normal weight through starvation or too much exercise.
Medical treatment may be needed to restore normal weight. Talk therapy can help with self-esteem and behavior changes.

3. Cavities Very common More than 3 million US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required
Causes include bacteria, snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and poor teeth cleaning.
There may be no symptoms. Untreated cavities can cause toothache, infection, and tooth loss.
Treatments include fluoride, fillings, and crowns. Severe cases may need a root canal or removal.

4. Cholecystitis Common More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required
Short-term: resolves within days to weeks
Cholecystitis is often caused by stones that block the tube leading from the gallbladder to the small intestine.
Severe pain in the upper right belly and bloating are symptoms.
Treatment includes a hospital stay and surgical removal.

5. Cirrohsis Common More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Hepatitis and chronic alcohol abuse are frequent causes. Liver damage caused by cirrhosis can't be undone, but further damage can be limited.
Initially patients may experience fatigue, weakness, and weight loss. During later stages, patients may develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin), gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal swelling, and confusion.
Treatments focus on the underlying cause. In advanced cases, a liver transplant may be needed.

6. Cleft Palate Common More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging not required
Cleft palate is a common birth condition. It can occur alone or as part of a genetic condition or syndrome.
Symptoms arise from the opening in the mouth. They include difficulty speaking and feeding.
Surgery restores normal function with minimal scarring. If needed, speech therapy helps correct speaking difficulties.

7. Constipation
Chronic constipation is infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools that persists for several weeks or longer. Constipation is generally described as having fewer than three bowel movements a week.
Constipation can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include dehydration, lack of dietary fiber, physical inactivity, or medication side effects.

8. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is loose, watery stools (bowel movements). You have diarrhea if you have loose stools three or more times in one day. Acute diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts a short time. It is a common problem. It usually lasts about one or two days, but it may last longer
Diarrhea can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include a liquid diet, food intolerance, stress, anxiety, or use of laxatives.

9. Gastroenteritis Very common More than 3 million US cases per year
Spreads easily
Usually self-treatable
Usually self-diagnosable
Lab tests or imaging rarely required
Short-term: resolves within days to weeks
Stomach flu is typically spread by contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or water.
Diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever are common symptoms.
Avoiding contaminated food and water and washing hands often can help prevent infection. Rest and rehydration are the mainstays of treatment.

10. GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. This allows the stomach’s contents to flow up into the esophagus. Many people, including pregnant women, suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion caused by GERD
Symptoms include burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and worsens when lying down.
Relief from lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications is usually temporary. Stronger medication may be needed.

11. Hiatal hernia
This occurs when the stomach protrudes above the diaphragm through the esophagus opening.
Not uncommon in people over the age of 50.
Changes in the diet may relieve the symptoms
Surgery is not usually required

12. Heartburn Also known as Acid Indigestion
This is a backflow of the acidic gastric juice from the stomach into the lower end of the esophagus.
Causes a burning sensation
25% of all pregnant women experience heartburn
Relief can come from antacids, avoid laying down for 2-3 hours after eating
Avoid coffee, chocolate, citrus fruits, fried foods and tomato products.
Stop Smoking

13. Hepatitis Inflammation of the liver
Fewer than 20,000 US cases per year
Preventable by vaccine
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging always required
Includes Hep A, B and C
A: thru food/water B: thru blood C: IV drug use (fatal)
Spreads through contaminated food or water
Short-term: resolves within days to weeks
Hepatitis A is preventable by vaccine. It spreads from contaminated food or water, or contact with someone who is infected.
Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and low-grade fever.
The condition clears up on its own in one or two months. Rest and adequate hydration can help.

14. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Common
More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging rarely required
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
The cause of irritable bowel syndrome isn't well understood. A diagnosis is often made based on symptoms.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle, and stress. Others will need medication and counseling.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are 2 separate inflammatory diseases that are considered IBD’s

15. Peptic Ulcers Common More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required
Medium-term: resolves within months
Ulcers occur when stomach acid damages the lining of the digestive tract. Common causes include the bacteria H. Pylori and anti-inflammatory pain relievers including aspirin.
Upper abdominal pain is a common symptom.
Treatment usually includes medication to decrease stomach acid production. If a bacteria is the cause, antibiotics may be needed.

16. Appendicitis Occurs when the veriform appendix becomes inflamed
If it ruptures, the bacteria can spread into the peritoneal cavity causing peritonitis
ommon
More than 200,000 US cases per year
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required
Treatable by a medical professional
Short-term: resolves within days to weeks
The appendix is a pouch on the colon that has no known purpose.
Appendicitis begins with pain near the belly button and then moves to the right side. This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, fever, and chills.
Appendicitis is usually treated with surgery and antibiotics. If untreated, the appendix can rupture and cause an abscess or systemic infection (sepsis).

17. Diverticulosis
Condition where little sacs develop in the wall of the colon
The majority of people over 60 have this condition
Usually no symptoms
About 20% of people with this condition develop diverticulitis, which is an inflammation in the wall of the colon
People with this condition must follow a restricted diet.