Digestive System Diseases Tract And Nervous Disorders

The function of the digestive system

The digestive system is a chain of hollow organs connected together to form a long, twisting tube starting from the mouth and ending in the anus. It functions to convert the foods and liquids we eat into nutrients or energy needed by our body cells. This process is called digestion. Excess and unnecessary products of digestion are being excreted by the body through the anus in the form of feces or stool through the process of elimination.

What are digestive system diseases?

Diseases in the digestive system occur when there is an error in its function during the process of digestion and elimination. They prevent some part of the digestive system to function normally as it should.

There are actually a lot of diseases affecting the digestive system. Conditions which affect the different parts of the digestive or gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are considered digestive system diseases and disorders. The organs in the GIT are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus.

The following are some examples of diseases in the digestive tract:

·         GERD (Gastroesophageal  reflux disease). It is the cause of chronic acid reflux which can be felt by a burning sensation in the chest or heartburn.

·         Cancer of the stomach, colon and rectum. Stomach cancer is also known as gastric cancer. Most of affected populations are those in their 6os and 70s. Helicobacter pylori is known to be its causative agent. Eating large amounts of smoked or salted meats, high in starch and low in fiber, pickled vegetables, and nitrites and nitrates rich foods also contribute to its development. Cancer in colon and rectum is altogether called colorectal cancer. It is the leading cause of mortality by cancer in the USA.

·         Diarrhea.Occurs when the stool becomes watery or when there is increased frequency in defecation, or a combination of both. It can be both short-term and long-term and can be associated to bacterial or viral infection, or functional disorder in the intestines.

·         Diverticular Disease. Small pouches are formed in the lining of the colon. Once these are infected or inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis.

·         Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This is a term used to call the two types of inflammation under this category – the Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative colitis.

·         Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. It affects the intestines causing cramps, gassiness and bloating of the abdomen.

·         Stomach and Duodenal Ulcers – These are open lesions or sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. Unhealthy lifestyle, stress, and diet may contribute to the development of ulcers.

Nervous disorders that affect the digestive tract

Some disorders in the GIT are caused by some faults in the part of the nervous system like in the case of Hirschsprung’s Disease. In this condition, the nerves that stimulate peristalsis (wavelike motion) in the bowel are missing. Thus, food in that area cannot be moved through and create a blockage leading to the build up of intestinal contents behind the blockage which will finally result to the swelling of the bowel and abdomen. This is a congenital defect.

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