Espaņol
The Digestive System
The Esophagus
The esophagus is the muscular conduict that connects the mouth to the stomach. Diseases of the esophagus include:
Esophagitis
Inflammation of the internal wall of the esophagus. Acidic medicines and irritating food are the causes of the imflammation. Therefore, it is advisable to have a healthy diet and to use antiacid.
Esophagus Ulcer
An irritation of the esphagus similar to a gastroduodenal ulcer. Stomachaches, lost of weight, burping and salivation are the main symptoms. The elimination of hot spicy food helps to reduce the pain. Others say that drinking milk every two hours soothes the pain.
The function of the stomach is to digest food, which nutrients are distributed to the body through the blood.
Many gastrointestinal problems result from the modern life style, which makes people eat fast without chewing correctly. Some of the stomach diseases are:
Gastritis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach. Gastritis is one consequence of excessive alcohol, aspirine and tar consumption. Strong gastric pain, lost of appetite and bloody vomit are the main symptoms. Rest is recommended. A stomach "wash" is necessary if the gastritis is caused by a toxic.
Gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the stomach and intestinal mucous membrane. Gastroenteritis is caused by alcohol, food poisoning or an intestinal influenza. Bacteria such as Salmonella also cause gastroenteritis. Therefore, it is not healthy to eat old food. To eliminate gastroenteritis, a complete suspension of food is necessary while vomiting and nausea persists.
Gastroduodenal Ulcer
Gastroduodenal ulcer produces a wound in the stomach destroying the internal wall of the small intestine. Ulcers were once thought to be caused by stress, but now we know the bacterium Helicobactus is the primary cause. People with blood type O are more susceptible to ulcers. It is advisable to eliminate the consumption of coffee, spicies, alcohol and tea.
The intestinal tract functions indigestion and assimilation of nutrients. A broader shorter posterior part made up of cecum, colon, and rectum serves chiefly to extract moisture from the by-products of digestion and evaporate them into feces. Among the diseases of the intestines are:
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis is extremely dangerous because it can cauise peritonitis, a life-threatening disease. Pain in the right side of the womb, location of the appendix, nausea and fever are the principal symptoms.
Constipation
Constipation is a condition in which bowel movements are infrequent or incomplete. Stress and lack of exercise can cause constipation. To prevent constipation, it is necessary to eat food rich in fibre and to get enough exercise.
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum. When the peritoneum breaks, urine, toxins, and bacteria infect the viscera producing peritonitis. This disease is dangerous because it maybe difficult to detect the cause of the infection.
Intestinal Occlusion
An intestinal occlusion occurs when fecal matter is trapped in the intestine. Vomiting, constipation, abdominal cramps, and strain are the symptoms.
Colitis
Inflammation of the colon. Colitis maybe caused by intense emotional stress. The person with colitis feels pain in the abdomen because gases accumulate in the intestine. Other symptoms are diarrhea and constipation.
The pancreas is a salivary gland of the abdomen located behind the stomach. The gland secrets pancreatic juice, enzymes that act upon fats, starch, and proteins. It also secrets hormones. Diseases of the pancreas are:
Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas due to alcoholism and gall stones. In some cases, pancreatitis can be confused with other diseases because similar symptoms appear with mumps, infectious mononucleosis, appendicitis, and cardiac crisis. Surgical treatment is necessary, for it could end in peritonitis. On the other hand, chronic pancreatitis causes severe damage to the pancreas, causing death in some cases. Diabetics and alcoholics tend to have chronic pancreatitis.
The liver secretes the bile and produces the agents that coagulate the blood. The liver diseases are:
Infectious Hepatitis (Type A) and Seum Hepatitis (Type B)
Hepatitis A is an epidemic virus. Its has a 15 to 20 day incubation period. The disease may be inapparent, mild, severe, or occasionally fatal. Hepatitis A is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Bilirubin is indicative of hepatitis A. Drinking water polluted by excrement, for example, could cause hepatitis B. This kind of hepatitis can also be transmitted from person to person through semen or saliva, especially during its incubation period, which is 50 to 160 days. Urticaria is indicative of hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is more dangerous than hepatitis type A because it tends to cause liver complications.
Liver Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a fibroid or granular induration in the liver. It is associated with failure in the function of hepatic cells and interference with blood flow in the liver. Cirrhosis can be caused by alcoholism. Therefore, it is necessary to stop consuming alcohol in order to stabilize cirrhosis.
Gall Bladder
The biliary vesicula is the organ that stores the bile the liver secretes. The bile is a yellow liquid that contributes to the emulsification and digestion of fats. The vesicula could suffer from gall stones if the person is obese. It is necessary to eliminate sweets and fat food.
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