What are the different diseases and

disorders of digestive system

Answer:
diseases
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) –Severe “heartburn” in laymen’s
language. Weakness of the valve between the esophagus and stomach may
allow stomach acid to reflux (regurgitate, backup) into the esophagus and
irritate and inflame the lining. This results in chest pain which can mimic that
of angina (pain of cardiac ischemia or an MI).

Diverticulosis/diverticulitis – Small pouches may form along the walls of the

large intestine called diverticuli which if symptomatic, causing discomfort to
the patient, is called diverticulosis. These abnormal outpocketings may collect
and not be able to empty fecal material which can lead to inflammation,
diverticulitis.

Jaundice – Literally means “yellow” in French. Yellowing of the skin and

whites of the eyes from a backup of bile metabolic by-products from the blood
into body tissues. May result from blockage of the ducts draining bile from the
liver into the intestines or excessive breakdown of red blood cells. Hemoglobin
from destroyed RBCs is broken down, and in part, ends up in bile secretions.

Diverticulosis/diverticulitis – Small pouches may form along the walls of the

large intestine called diverticuli which if symptomatic, causing discomfort to
the patient, is called diverticulosis. These abnormal outpocketings may collect
and not be able to empty fecal material which can lead to inflammation
diverticulitis
lPortal hypertension – A potential complication of chronic alcoholism
resulting in liver damage and obstruction of venous blood flow through the
liver. The rising blood pressure in the veins between the gastrointestinal tract
and liver causes engorgement of veins around the umbilicus (navel). The
characteristic radiating pattern of veins is called a “caput medusae” (head of
Medusa). Medusa was the “snake-haired lady” in Greek mythology.e to empty
fecal material which can lead to inflammation, diverticulitis.
Cirrhosis – Literally, “orange-yellow” in Greek. A degenerative disease of the
liver that often develops in chronic alcoholics, but can have other causes. The
name refers to the gross appearance of the organ.
Portal hypertension – A potential complication of chronic alcoholism
resulting in liver damage and obstruction of venous blood flow through the
liver. The rising blood pressure in the veins between the gastrointestinal tract
and liver causes engorgement of veins around the umbilicus (navel). The
characteristic radiating pattern of veins is called a “caput medusae” (head of
Medusa). Medusa was the “snake-haired lady” in Greek mythology.

Esophageal varices – bulging, engorged veins in the walls of the esophagus

are often a complication of chronic alcoholism (see portal hypertension). The
thin-walled, swollen veins are at risk of tearing resulting in severe, possibly
fatal, bleeding.

Dysphagia – Difficulty swallowing. May be related to GERD (see above),

esophageal tumor or other causes.

Crohn’s Disease – a chronic inflammatory disease primarily of the bowel.

Typical symptoms are abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea. There may also
be rectal bleeding that can lead to anemia. Special X-rays and tests are
needed to differentiate Crohn’s from other diseases with similar symptoms.

Peritonitis – Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity. Before

antibiotics, people would die from peritonitis if an inflamed appendix burst.
Indications of peritonitis are called “peritoneal signs”: tender abdomen,
rebound pain (pain when manual pressure released from examining
abdomen), board-like rigidity of abdominal muscles, no bowel sounds
(gurgles). The peritoneal membrane is very sensitive to exposure to foreign
substances. Contact with blood, bile, urine, pus will cause peritoneal signs.
Gastroenterologist – a physician specializing in diseases of the digestive
system including esophagus, stomach and intestines. These specialists do not
do surgery. Patients needing surgery are referred to a general surgeon.

Proctologist – a physician specializing in diseases of the rectum and anus.

Proctology is a surgical subspecialty.

Guaiac test (Hemoccult, Fecult) – a special chemical test to identify blood in

the stool (feces). Blood in the stool may have many causes including cancer
and hemorrhoids.

Upper GI series – a series of X-rays of the esophagus and stomach and

small intestines having the patient swallow a “milkshake” of barium. The
element barium is opaque, i.e. blocks , X-rays. This procedure may be used to
identify problems with swallowing, stomach ulcers, twisting of the small
intestines.

Endoscopy – use of a flexible fiberoptic instrument attached to a video

camera that can be used to directly visualize the esophagus, stomach and
large bowel. Special names may be used for each area explored such as
colonoscopy.

Lower GI series – a series of X-rays using a barium enema to show the large
intestine and rectum. This procedure can be used to identify problems such as
diverticulitis/diverticulosis, and tumors.

Ultrasonography (ultrasound) – a procedure using high frequency sound

waves to visualize internal organs. Primarily used to visualize abdominal and
pelvic organs, such as the pregnant uterus.
 Disorders
 Crohn's Disease
 Heartburn/GERD
 Inflammatory Bowel Disease
 Irritable Bowel Syndrome
 Ulcerative Colitis
 Appendicitis
 Celiac Disease
 Chronic Constipation
 Diarrhea
 Diverticulosis
 Gallstones
 Hemorrhoids
 Peptic Ulcer Disease
 What are diferrents diseases and
disorders of digestive system.

Answer:
Diseases
1.Crohn disease, also called regional enteritis or regional ileitis,
chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, usually occurring in the terminal
portion of the ileum, the region of the small intestine farthest from
the stomach.

2.Celiac disease, also called nontropical sprue or celiac sprue, an

inherited autoimmune digestive disorder in which affected individuals cannot
tolerate gluten, a protein constituent of wheat, barley, malt, and rye flours.

3. Cholera, an acute infection of the small intestine caused by

the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and characterized by extreme diarrhea with
rapid and severe depletion of body fluids and salts.

4.Gastroenteritis, acute infectious syndrome of the stomach lining and

the intestine. It is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
Other symptoms can include nausea, fever, and chills. The severity of
gastroenteritis varies from a sudden but transient attack of diarrhea to
severe dehydration.

5.Appendicitis, inflammation of the appendix, the closed-end tube attached

to the cecum, the first region of the large intestine.

6. Volvulus, twisting of a portion of the digestive tract on its mesentery (the

fold of membrane that attaches the intestine to the posterior abdominal wall),
resulting in intestinal obstruction, severe pain, distension of the involved
segment, and interference with circulation to the affected area. Volvulus may
be congenital or acquired; the areas most frequently affected are the
sigmoid colon, the ileocecal region, and the stomach.

7.Hematuria, also spelled Haematuria, presence of blood in the urine, an

indication of injury or disease of the kidney or some other structure of the
urinary tract; in males blood in the urine can also come from the reproductive
tract. The blood may become apparent during urination or only upon
microscopic examination. Rarely, blood may appear in the urine in the
absence of genito-urinary disease. Such instances may result from
transfusion of incompatible blood, from severe burns, from abnormal blood
conditions in which the red blood cells are broken down, or from blackwater
fever (a complication of malaria).

8. Fasciolopsiasis, infection of humans and swine by

the trematode Fasciolopsis buski, a parasitic worm. The adult worms, 2–7.5
cm (0.8–3 inches) long, attach themselves to the tissues of the small
intestine of the host by means of ventral suckers; the sites of attachment may
later ulcerate and form abscesses. In the early stage of the infection, there is
usually abdominal pain, as well as diarrhea and nausea alternating
with constipation. Heavy infestations that go untreated cause general body
weakness and fluid retention, which may have serious consequences,
especially in children. Treatment is usually with praziquantel. In China, India,
Thailand, and other parts of East Asia, infection in humans is usually
contracted following ingestion of uncooked aquatic plants containing cysts of
the worm larvae. A simple but effective preventive measure is
the immersion of aquatic foods in boiling water.

9. Clonorchiasis, chronic infection caused by Clonorchis

sinensis, or liver fluke, a parasitic worm some 10 to 25 mm (0.4 to 1 inch) long
that lives in the bile ducts of the liver in humans and other mammals.
Clonorchiasis is a common disease in China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan and
is acquired by eating freshwater fish containing the fluke larvae. The fish are
themselves infected by swallowing the larvae, which have earlier undergone a
stage of their development in the liver glands of water snails.

10. Sigmoidoscopy, diagnostic medical procedure that uses a flexible fibre-

optic endoscope to examine the rectum.
 Disorders

Answer:
-Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders include such conditions as constipation, irritable bowel
syndrome, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, perianal abscesses, anal fistulas, perianal
infections, diverticular diseases, colitis, colon polyps and cancer. Many of these can be
prevented or minimized by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practicing good bowel habits,
and submitting to cancer screening.

-Constipation
Constipation means it is hard to have a bowel movement (or pass stools), they are
infrequent (less than three times a week), or incomplete. Constipation is usually caused
by inadequate "roughage" or fiber in the diet, or a disruption of the regular routine or
diet.

Constipation causes a person to strain during a bowel movement. It may cause small,
hard stools and sometimes anal problems such as fissures and hemorrhoids.
Constipation is rarely the sign of a more serious medical condition.

-Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (also called spastic colon, irritable colon, or nervous stomach)
is a condition in which the colon muscle contracts more often than in people without
IBS. Certain foods, medicines, and emotional stress are some factors that can trigger
IBS.

-Anal disorders
Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that line the anal opening. They are caused by
chronic excess pressure from straining during a bowel movement, persistent diarrhea,
or pregnancy.

There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external.

Internal hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids are blood vessels on the inside of the anal opening. When they fall
down into the anus as a result of straining, they become irritated and start to bleed.
Ultimately, internal hemorrhoids can fall down enough to prolapse (sink or stick) out of
the anus

External hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids are veins that lie just under the skin on the outside of the anus.
Sometimes, after straining, the external hemorrhoidal veins burst and a blood clot forms
under the skin. This very painful condition is called a pile.

Treatment includes removing the clot and vein under local anesthesia and /or removing
the hemorrhoid itself.

-Anal fissures
Anal fissures are splits or cracks in the lining of the anal opening. The most common
cause of an anal fissure is the passage of very hard or watery stools. The crack in the
anal lining exposes the underlying muscles that control the passage of stool through the
anus and out of the body. An anal fissure is one of the most painful problems because
the exposed muscles become irritated from exposure to stool or air, and leads to
intense burning pain, bleeding, or spasm after bowel movements.

-Perianal abscesses
Perianal abscesses can occur when the tiny anal glands that open on the inside of the
anus become blocked, and the bacteria always present in these glands cause an
infection. When pus develops, an abscess forms. Treatment includes draining the
abscess, usually under local anesthesia in the doctor's office.

-Anal fistula
An anal fistula often follows drainage of an abscess and is an abnormal tube-like
passageway from the anal canal to a hole in the skin near the opening of the anus.
Body wastes traveling through the anal canal are diverted through this tiny channel and
out through the skin, causing itching and irritation. Fistulas also cause drainage, pain,
and bleeding. They rarely heal by themselves and usually need surgery to drain the
abscess and "close off" the fistula.
-Other perianal infections
Sometimes the skin glands near the anus become infected and need to be drained. Just
behind the anus, abscesses can form that contain a small tuft of hair at the back of the
pelvis (called a pilonidal cyst).

Sexually transmitted diseases that can affect the anus include anal warts, herpes, AIDS,
chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

-Diverticular disease

Diverticulosis is the presence of small outpouchings (diverticula) in the muscular wall of

the large intestine that form in weakened areas of the bowel. They usually occur in the
sigmoid colon, the high-pressure area of the lower large intestine.

Diverticular disease is very common and occurs in 10% of people over age 40 and in
50% of people over age 60 in Western cultures. It is often caused by too little roughage
(fiber) in the diet. Diverticulosis rarely causes symptoms.

Complications of diverticular disease happen in about 10% of people with outpouchings.

They include infection or inflammation (diverticulitis), bleeding, and obstruction.
Treatment of diverticulitis includes antibiotics, increased fluids, and a special diet.
Surgery is needed in about half the patients who have complications to remove the
involved segment of the colon.