1. Digestive System Diseases Kaila L, Julia E, Jessica C.

2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)  Disease in which the valve between the esophagus and stomach (sphincter) is weak, allowing stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus, causing irritation, inflammation and chest pain

3. Jaundice (“yellow”)  Liver disorder; yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to an abnormally large amount of bilirubin (carries oxygen in RBCs) in the blood

4. Hepatitis  Inflammation of the liver  Hepatitis A: usually caused by drinking sewage-contaminated water or eating infected foods  Symptoms: jaundice, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, fever, diarrhea, fatigue  Vaccine  Hepatitis B: usually spread by sexual contact, blood transfusions, contaminated needles  Acute (short term) vs. chronic (long term)  Symptoms: fatigue, fever, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice, skin rash, muscle aches, joint pain, diarrhea, constipation  Vaccine  Hepatitis C: usually acquired by contact with infected blood  Acute vs. chronic  Symptoms: fatigue, itchy skin, soreness, dark urine, jaundice, joint pain  No vaccine and can cause liver cancer or death

6. Cirrhosis  Chronic disease of the liver in which the organ becomes fatty and then the liver tissue is replaced by inactive fibrous scar tissue  Caused by malnutrition and excessive alcohol intake  For failed livers, liver transplants is an option. Artificial livers have also been developed  Ascites: fluid retention in the abdominal cavity. Form in final (worse) stages of Cirrhosis

7. Obesity  Weighing 30% over your ideal body weight  Type 2 Diabetes  Usually associated with obesity and displays impaired insulin production and resistance (insulin decreases glucose). Cells do not take up insulin  blood glucose levels increase  glucose appears in urine  Cardiovascular Disease  Includes hypertension, heart attack, stroke  Caused by arteries blocked by plaque (saturated fat, cholesterol)

8. Peptic Ulcers  Forms in the stomach or duodenum  Caused by bacterial infections, smoking, or medications  Dr. Barry Marshall and Dr. Robin Warren discovered the bacteria that cause most ulcers when infected (helicobacter pylori)  It’s not always caused by this bacteria. Sometimes a person just secretes more stomach acid

9. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases  IBD occurs when harmless bacteria, usually protected, are mistaken as harmful bacteria and the immune system responds by producing inflammation in the intestines  Ulcerative Colitis  Inflammation of a part of the colon and production of ulcers (open sores) that emit puss and mucous  Can only affects the linings of the colon; rectum  Crohn’s Disease  Discovered by Dr. Burrill B. Crohn  Inflammation of parts of the colon  Usually affects the end of the SI and the beginning of the LI but can affect any part of the digestive tract  Recent research suggests hereditary, genetics, and/or environmental factors cause Crohn’s and UC disease