Transcript The Gastrointestinal System

The
Gastrointestinal
System
It is made up of…
Esophagus
Liver
Gall Bladder
Large Intestine
Stomach
Pancreas
Small Intestine
Rectum
Anus
Stomach Functions
• “storage bin” – holds the meal in the upper
portion, and releases it into the lower
portion
• “food mixer” – the muscles in the stomach
contract and mash the food up
• “sterilizing system” – the cells in the
stomach produce an acid which kills germ in
bad food
• “digestive tub” – produces digestive fluid to
break down chemicals in food as fuel for
body
The Small Intestine
• Function: finishes digestion process, absorbs
nutrients, passes residue onto large intestine
• Basically breaks down the food small enough so
the body can absorb and use it
• Divided into the duodenum, jejunum and ileum
• Chyme regulates secretions
– Chyme: semi-fluid mixture of hydrochloric acid,
enzymes, and partially digested food.
– Chyme creates a chemical and mechanical irritation
reflex, so the greater amount of chyme, the greater
amount of secretion
The Liver
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Produce substances that break down fats
Converts glucose to glycogen
Produce urea (main substance of urine)
Makes amino acids
Filter harmful substances from the blood
Stores vitamins and minerals
Maintains proper level of glucose in the blood
Produces cholesterol (80% of body’s total)
Basically Produces Bile and Secretes it into Bile Ducts
The Pancreas
Digestive juices break down carbs, proteins and fats
Secretes hormones that affect blood level of sugar
Produces chemicals that neutralize stomach acids
Acinar cells (acini) – secrete digestive enzymes into
the small intestine
• Islet cells – secrete hormones insulin and glucagon
into blood stream to regulate blood glucose
concentration
– Glucogon – raises the level of glucose in the blood
– Insulin – stimulates cells to use glucose
– Somatostatin – regulate the secretion of
glucagons and insulin
• Pancreatic duct cells – secrete bicarbonate to
regulate small intestine acidity
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Gall Bladder
• Stores the bile to have it in larger amounts
when a meal is eated
• BILE:
– Breaks down the fats in the food
– Anti-oxidant which helps to remover toxins in
the liver
Large Intestine
• Colon – last absorption of any nutrients or
water
– Produces supplemental vitamins
• **Also apart of the immune system **
Rectum and Anus
• Rectum - Receives stool from the colon and stores it
until the person knows the stool has to be evacuated
• *** Nervous System sends messages to the brain when
stool and gas enter the rectum ***
• Anus – consists of 2 anal sphincter muscles and pelvic
floor muscles
– Upper anus detects rectal contents (solid, liquid, gas)
– ** surrounded by muscles that control stool, ex: pelvic floor
muscles create an angle between rectum and anus which stops
stool when its not supposed to come out
– Internal sphincter is always tight, except when stool enters the
rectum, ex: keeps us content while sleeping
– External sphincter is contracted until you reach a toilet, then it
relaxes to release stool
Specialized Cells
• Small Intestine contains mucosa which are
covered in tiny fingerlike projections called
villi and microvilli which allow nutrients to
be absorbed
• Specialized cells allow absorbed materials
to cross the mucosa into the blood where
they are carried off in the blood stream to
other parts of the body for storage and
further chemical change
There are many Gastrointestinal
Disorders including:
Abdominal Pain
Anal Fissure/ Bleeding
Barium Enema/ Swallow
Colonoscopy
Constipation
Dehydration
Diverticulitis
Gastritis
Gastroenteritis
Giardiasis
Heartburn
Hemorrhoids
Hiatal Hernia
Pancreatitis
Proctitis
Sigmoidoscopy
Stomach Flu
Ulcers
Vomiting
Constipation
Causes:
Constipation is caused by a lack of fiber or daily
fluid. Also, if one holds in bowel longer than normal
constipation can occur. Not enough exercise can
bring forth constipation. Depression and other
illnesses can cause constipation as well.
Constipation
Symptoms:
Constipation feels like
the need to make a
bowel movement, but it
is not able to go
through. Also, it can
feel like bowels do not
move through as
frequently as possible.
Constipation
Effects:
Constipation can cause pain or bleeding of the
rectum.
Constipation
Treatments:
Over the counter medication can treat
constipation. Laxatives or enema can help soften
stools, but too much of it or overuse can make
symptoms worse. After meals time should be set
aside to attempt to pass bowels. An increase in
fiber and more exercise can also help.
Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)
Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)
Causes:
Coeliac Disease is caused by sensitivity to gluten
that damages the lining of the small intestine.
Diabetes mellitus and autoimmune disorders can
lead to Coeliac Disease. This can also be passed
down by genetics.
Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)
Symptoms:
Usually there are no symptoms, which is why the
disease goes unnoticed. Some general symptoms
include weight loss, tiredness, diarrhea, abdominal
pain, and rashes.
Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)
Effects:
With an earlier the diagnosis, fewer effects occur.
Effects can include organ disorders with the liver,
spleen, and gall bladder, iron deficiency, vitamin
deficiency, osteoporosis, lactose intolerance, Type 1
diabetes, greater chance of cancer, Rheumatoid
arthritis, etc.
Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)
Treatment:
Treatment includes a
gluten-free diet for life.
Tests of the intestinal
lining must be taken.
Crohn’s Disease
• Description
– Chronic inflammation
of the intestines
– Causes ulcers in either
intestine or anywhere
else in the digestive
system
– Affects approximately
500,000-2 million
people in the US
Crohn’s Disease
• Etiology
– Unknown
• Suspicions:
– infection by a specific bacteria type, such as
mycobacterium
– Abnormal immune reaction, where the body
mistakes food, bacteria, and other substances
as foreign, leading the immune system to
attack and accumulate white blood cells in
intestine (which causes inflammation)
Crohn’s Disease
• Symptoms
– Abdominal pain (esp. in the lower right
portion of the abdomen)
– Abdominal spasms
– Cramps
– Diarrhea
– Malnutrition and loss of appetite (often
leading to sudden weight loss)
Crohn’s Disease
• Symptoms as the Disease Progresses
– Joint pain
– Fever
– Fatigue
– Anal sores
– Bloating
– Skin lesions/sores
– Anal drainage
Crohn’s Disease
TREATMENTS
– Medications
• TNF inhibitors (TNF promotes
inflammatory response, which causes
problems with autoimmune disorders like
Crohn’s)
– Surgery
• Provides immediate relief but does not
cure
– Resection
• Removing a section of diseased tissue in
the small or large intestine and
reconnecting the healthy segments
Crohn’s Disease
• Treatments
– Strictureplasty
• helps prevent
shortening of the bowel
by repairing tissue
rather than removing it
– Nutrition
• Dieticians help patients
maintain a healthy
weight and absorb
vitamins and other
nutrients
Peptic Ulcers
Open sores that develop on the inside lining of your
stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus.
Causes
The most common cause is Helicobacter Pylori,
a type of bacteria.
Other causes:
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Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Regular use of pain relievers
Stress
Symptoms
Most Common: Burning anywhere
from your nasal to your breastbone.
Less Common, but more severe:
Nausea Vomiting, Vomiting of Blood,
unexplained weight loss, appetite
changes.
Types of Peptic Ulcers
Gastric Ulcer: Stomach
Duodenal Ulcer: Beginning of small intestine
Esophageal Ulcer: Lower section
of the esophagus; least common type
of peptic ulcer.
Duodenal Ulcer
Gastric Ulcer
Treatment
The goals of treatment are:
– Kill the Bacteria
– Reduce level of acid within the digestive system in order
to reduce pain
Treatment options:
– Antibiotics: Used to treat the H. Pylori Bacteria
– Acid Blockers: Reduce the amount of acid released into
the digestive tract.
– Antacids: Neutralize stomach acid.
– Proton pump inhibitors: Block the acid “pumps”
– Cytoprotective Agents: Used to protect the Stomach
linings and small intestines.