-The digestive system is a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients to feed the entire body. Food passes through a long tube inside the body known as the alimentary canal or the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The alimentary canal is made up of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and large intestines. In addition to the alimentary canal, there are several important accessory organs that help your body to digest food but do not have food pass through them.
Accessory organs of the digestive system include the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. To achieve the goal of providing energy and nutrients to the body, six major functions take place in the digestive system: Ingestion Secretion Mixing and movement Digestion Absorption Excretion AILMENTS 1. INDIGESTION – refers to the discomfort felt in the upper stomach . SYMPTOMS : Bloating (full feeling) Belching and gas Nausea and vomiting Acidic taste Growling stomach Burning in the stomach or upper abdomen Abdominal pain.
RECOMMENDATIONS : 1. Avoid fatty foods and spicy foods. 2. Eat slowly. 3. Take antacids. 2. FLATULENCE (Kabag) – a feeling of bloated stomach . SYMPTOMS : Episodes of flatulence occur frequently, often involuntarily When an episode of flatulence occurs, a lot of wind is released Farting is consistently foul-smelling There may be sharp, jabbing pains (cramps) in the abdomen. Sometimes they may change location, within the abdomen A bloated feeling in the abdomen A knotted sensation in the abdomen RECOMMENDATIONS : 1. Eating slowly .
Chew your food well . 2. Avoid stress . 3. CONSTIPATION – infrequent and difficult passing out of hard dry feces . SYMPTOMS : Rectal bleeding Abdominal pain and cramps Nausea Vomiting Involuntary loss of weight RECOMMENDATIONS : 1. Establish the habit of going to the toilet . 2. Eat food with fibers . 3. Drink more fluids . 4. GASTRIC ULCER – damaged lining of the stomach . SYMPTOMS : Abdominal pain May wake you at night May be relieved by antacids or milk May occur 2 to 3 hours after a meal May be worse if you don”t eat Nausea Abdominal indigestion.
Vomiting, especially vomiting blood Blood in stools or black, tarry stools Unintentional weight loss Fatigue RECOMMENDATIONS : 1. Avoid smoking , drinking alcohol , coffee and tea . 2. Eat meals regularly . 5. HEPATITIS – it is an inflammation of the liver caused by virus , drugs of chemicals . -HEPA A – is a spread from the feces of an infected person which may contaminate food and water . -HEPA B – is spread through blood transfusion . SYMPTOMS : Diarrhea Fatigue Loss of appetite Mild fever Muscle or joint aches Nausea Slight abdominal pain Vomiting.
Weight loss RECOMMENDATIONS : 1. Vaccines and drugs . 6. DIARRHEA – is the frequent movement of liquid bowel . SYMPTOMS : Frequent loose, watery stools Abdominal cramps Abdominal pain Fever Bleeding Lightheadedness or dizziness from dehydration RECOMMENDATIONS : 1. Drink plenty of water . 2. Take ORS ( Oral Rehydration Solution ) 7. INTESTINAL PARASITES – are worms that invade the digestive tract usally through food and water . SYMPTOMS : Abdominal pain Bloating Cramping and coughing RECOMMENDATIONS : 1. Give laxative to expel the worms from the body .
8. APPENDICITIS – an inflamed and swollen appendix . SYMPTOMS : Dull pain near the navel or the upper or lower abdomen that becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen; this is usually the first sign, but it only occurs in half of appendicitis cases. Loss of appetite Nausea and/or vomiting soon after abdominal pain begins Abdominal swelling Temperature of 99 to 102 degrees Farenheit Constipation or diarrhea with gas Inability to pass gas RECOMMENDATIONS : 1. Surgery PROJECt In Bio SciencE RODETH JOY GARNACE BEED – 1