The Digestive System
The digestive system consists of various organs and parts that enable the process of food breakdown and the release of vital vitamin nourishment. It begins when food enters the body through the mouth. The salivary glands produce saliva and moisten the food, so that it can be broken down. The teeth then start to break and tear the food apart (chewing) while the tongue begins to roll the “mushy” food around. Once the food is suitably chewed, it is considered to be “bolus”, which indicates it is broken down enough to be swallowed. After swallowing, the “bolus” enters the esophagus, where synchronized movements (peristalsis) to push the food down the esophagus and travel to the stomach. Muscles in the stomach contract and churn the food repeatedly while the digestive glands produce acids and enzymes. The processes morph the food into a milk paste called “chyme”. The chyme is then moved to small intestine (duodenum) where small amounts of the chyme are released, while the rest is left behind to further mix and churn. The food then begins to mix with the juices from other organs, such as liver, pancreas, and gall bladder. Once ready, the food leaves the duodenum and enters the second portion of the small intestine (jejunum). In the jejunum the food is further broken down, so that nutrients can be absorbed from it. Next the food travels to the ileum, where the rest of the nutrients is absorbed by the ileum wall. After that, the food makes its way through the ascending colon where all the remaining water is absorbed. The only substance left is the waste the body found no use for. The waste is sent through the descending colon, to the rectum, where it exits the body through the anus as “stool”.
Mouth- The opening in the lower part of the human face, which food is taken in and from which speech and other sounds are emitted.
Teeth- A set of hard, bony enamel-coated structures in the jaws of most vertebrates, used for biting and chewing.
Tongue- The fleshy muscular organ in the mouth of a mammal, used for tasting, licking, swallowing, and articulating speech.
Saliva- A watery liquid secreted into the mouth by glands, providing lubrication for chewing and swallowing, and aiding digestion.
Soft palate- The fleshy, flexible part toward the back of the roof of the mouth.
Hard palate- The bony front part of the palate.
Uvula- A fleshy extension at the back of the soft palate that hangs above the throat
Esophagus- The part of the alimentary canal that connects the throat to the stomach.
Gastric juices- A thin, clear, virtually colorless acidic fluid secreted by the stomach glands and active in promoting digestion.
Small intestine- the part of the intestine that runs between the stomach and the large intestine; the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum collectively.
Duodenum- The first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach, leading to the jejunum.
Jejunum- The part of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum.
ileum- The third portion of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the cecum.
Large intestine- The cecum, colon, and rectum.
Ascending colon- The first main part of the large intestine, which passes upward from the cecum on the right side of the abdomen.
Descending colon- The part of the large intestine that passes downward on the left side of the abdomen toward the rectum.
Rectum- The final section of the large intestine, terminating at the anus.
Liver- A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates.
Gall bladder- The small sac-shaped organ beneath the liver, in which bile is stored after secretion by the liver and before release into the intestine.
Pancreas- A large gland behind the stomach that secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum.
Appendix- A tube-shaped sac attached to and opening into the lower end of the large intestine.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/digestive-system/sls-20076373?s=1
Digestive Disease List
-Diverticular Disease: When the inside of the colon develops pockets, food starts to get stuck when you eat and bacteria and it can become inflamed. It causes severe abdominal pain, special diet can help food from not going into the pockets. If the inflammation gets too bad it can eat through the lining of the colon. This disease can be severe, but is treatable.
-Crohn’s Disease: When the ileum starts to have a “cobblestone” appearance, scar tissue builds up, and it gets influenced an increased mucous secretion. This disease can be triggered by stress, diet or low immune disease. Eventually of the segments of the colon have to be removed.
-Cirrhosis: The number one cause is over consumption of alcohol. The liver is overwhelmed and can’t metabolize quick enough, so it begins to fail. Some medications can also cause cirrhosis.
-Gastoesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): There is acid in the stomach that gets pushed back up into the esophagus, then it irritates the esophagus and causes ulcers. Stress, bad diet, and lack of exercise can cause GERD.
-Choleithiasis: “Gall bladder stones” calcified stones that build in the gall bladder and cause pain in the abdominal area. This is most commonly found in white, middle-aged, females.
-Hepatitis: viral infection of the liver mainly caused by contaminated food products
-Colon cancer: Cancer of the colon that often occurs when cells begin to accumulate in the lining of the colon and form polyps. A common prevention method would be surgery to remove the polyps or growths. Genetics also have a lot to do with your chances of getting colon cancer, it has been found to be heredity.
-Black stools: When bleeding in the upper portion of the digestive system occurs leading to black stool. The bleeding can be caused by ulcers or irritation in the esophagus or stomach (Gastritis). The stool appears black and “tarry” because the digestive fluids are mixed with blood.
-Helicobacter Pylori: This is a type of bacteria, often found in third world countries. The bacteria normally infects the stomach during childhood. The bacteria reduces the acidity to ensure their existence in the stomach. The shape of the bacteria enables it to enter the stomach lining. Once in the lining, the mucous protects the bacteria from the body’s immune cells. The bacteria can cause ulcers to develop in the stomach or duodenum.
-E. Coli: This is a bacteria that lives in the intestines and cause intestinal infection. It is most commonly caused by contaminated food or water. Most cases can be treated at home, but more severe cases lead to bloody diarrhea, kidney failure, or dehydration.
“Bing Health & Fitness app”
Current Event:
Using magnets to cure chronic acid reflux
"The normal human body has a barrier or valve between the esophagus and stomach—the lower esophageal sphincter—which keeps acid out of your esophagus,” says Valerie Williams, MD, a member of the UC Cancer Institute, assistant professor in the department of surgery at UC and UC Health thoracic surgeon. "This barrier breaks down, and that is the main problem. It gets weaker and shorter and can be associated with a hiatal hernia.” Many patients take medications to try and neutralize the acids. These medications only temporarily pacifying the acid, not fix the real problem; the lower esophageal sphincter. The treatment is called a “LINX Reflux Management”. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which the doctors place a ring on magnets around the bottom of the esophagus to augment the valve. The magnets act as the body’s esophageal sphincter, closing and opening to allow food to pass through. The surgery takes an hour or less and has little recovery time. After the surgery patients are allowed to resume their normal diet and lifestyle. Although the LINX is the only FDA-approved device for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it is only available through the UC Health system.
http://www.healthcanal.com/digestive-system/55291-magnets-help-cure-chronic-acid-reflux-only-system-locally-offering-linx.html
The digestive system consists of various organs and parts that enable the process of food breakdown and the release of vital vitamin nourishment. It begins when food enters the body through the mouth. The salivary glands produce saliva and moisten the food, so that it can be broken down. The teeth then start to break and tear the food apart (chewing) while the tongue begins to roll the “mushy” food around. Once the food is suitably chewed, it is considered to be “bolus”, which indicates it is broken down enough to be swallowed. After swallowing, the “bolus” enters the esophagus, where synchronized movements (peristalsis) to push the food down the esophagus and travel to the stomach. Muscles in the stomach contract and churn the food repeatedly while the digestive glands produce acids and enzymes. The processes morph the food into a milk paste called “chyme”. The chyme is then moved to small intestine (duodenum) where small amounts of the chyme are released, while the rest is left behind to further mix and churn. The food then begins to mix with the juices from other organs, such as liver, pancreas, and gall bladder. Once ready, the food leaves the duodenum and enters the second portion of the small intestine (jejunum). In the jejunum the food is further broken down, so that nutrients can be absorbed from it. Next the food travels to the ileum, where the rest of the nutrients is absorbed by the ileum wall. After that, the food makes its way through the ascending colon where all the remaining water is absorbed. The only substance left is the waste the body found no use for. The waste is sent through the descending colon, to the rectum, where it exits the body through the anus as “stool”.
Mouth- The opening in the lower part of the human face, which food is taken in and from which speech and other sounds are emitted.
Teeth- A set of hard, bony enamel-coated structures in the jaws of most vertebrates, used for biting and chewing.
Tongue- The fleshy muscular organ in the mouth of a mammal, used for tasting, licking, swallowing, and articulating speech.
Saliva- A watery liquid secreted into the mouth by glands, providing lubrication for chewing and swallowing, and aiding digestion.
Soft palate- The fleshy, flexible part toward the back of the roof of the mouth.
Hard palate- The bony front part of the palate.
Uvula- A fleshy extension at the back of the soft palate that hangs above the throat
Esophagus- The part of the alimentary canal that connects the throat to the stomach.
Gastric juices- A thin, clear, virtually colorless acidic fluid secreted by the stomach glands and active in promoting digestion.
Small intestine- the part of the intestine that runs between the stomach and the large intestine; the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum collectively.
Duodenum- The first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach, leading to the jejunum.
Jejunum- The part of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum.
ileum- The third portion of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the cecum.
Large intestine- The cecum, colon, and rectum.
Ascending colon- The first main part of the large intestine, which passes upward from the cecum on the right side of the abdomen.
Descending colon- The part of the large intestine that passes downward on the left side of the abdomen toward the rectum.
Rectum- The final section of the large intestine, terminating at the anus.
Liver- A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates.
Gall bladder- The small sac-shaped organ beneath the liver, in which bile is stored after secretion by the liver and before release into the intestine.
Pancreas- A large gland behind the stomach that secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum.
Appendix- A tube-shaped sac attached to and opening into the lower end of the large intestine.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/digestive-system/sls-20076373?s=1
Digestive Disease List
-Diverticular Disease: When the inside of the colon develops pockets, food starts to get stuck when you eat and bacteria and it can become inflamed. It causes severe abdominal pain, special diet can help food from not going into the pockets. If the inflammation gets too bad it can eat through the lining of the colon. This disease can be severe, but is treatable.
-Crohn’s Disease: When the ileum starts to have a “cobblestone” appearance, scar tissue builds up, and it gets influenced an increased mucous secretion. This disease can be triggered by stress, diet or low immune disease. Eventually of the segments of the colon have to be removed.
-Cirrhosis: The number one cause is over consumption of alcohol. The liver is overwhelmed and can’t metabolize quick enough, so it begins to fail. Some medications can also cause cirrhosis.
-Gastoesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): There is acid in the stomach that gets pushed back up into the esophagus, then it irritates the esophagus and causes ulcers. Stress, bad diet, and lack of exercise can cause GERD.
-Choleithiasis: “Gall bladder stones” calcified stones that build in the gall bladder and cause pain in the abdominal area. This is most commonly found in white, middle-aged, females.
-Hepatitis: viral infection of the liver mainly caused by contaminated food products
-Colon cancer: Cancer of the colon that often occurs when cells begin to accumulate in the lining of the colon and form polyps. A common prevention method would be surgery to remove the polyps or growths. Genetics also have a lot to do with your chances of getting colon cancer, it has been found to be heredity.
-Black stools: When bleeding in the upper portion of the digestive system occurs leading to black stool. The bleeding can be caused by ulcers or irritation in the esophagus or stomach (Gastritis). The stool appears black and “tarry” because the digestive fluids are mixed with blood.
-Helicobacter Pylori: This is a type of bacteria, often found in third world countries. The bacteria normally infects the stomach during childhood. The bacteria reduces the acidity to ensure their existence in the stomach. The shape of the bacteria enables it to enter the stomach lining. Once in the lining, the mucous protects the bacteria from the body’s immune cells. The bacteria can cause ulcers to develop in the stomach or duodenum.
-E. Coli: This is a bacteria that lives in the intestines and cause intestinal infection. It is most commonly caused by contaminated food or water. Most cases can be treated at home, but more severe cases lead to bloody diarrhea, kidney failure, or dehydration.
“Bing Health & Fitness app”
Current Event:
Using magnets to cure chronic acid reflux
"The normal human body has a barrier or valve between the esophagus and stomach—the lower esophageal sphincter—which keeps acid out of your esophagus,” says Valerie Williams, MD, a member of the UC Cancer Institute, assistant professor in the department of surgery at UC and UC Health thoracic surgeon. "This barrier breaks down, and that is the main problem. It gets weaker and shorter and can be associated with a hiatal hernia.” Many patients take medications to try and neutralize the acids. These medications only temporarily pacifying the acid, not fix the real problem; the lower esophageal sphincter. The treatment is called a “LINX Reflux Management”. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which the doctors place a ring on magnets around the bottom of the esophagus to augment the valve. The magnets act as the body’s esophageal sphincter, closing and opening to allow food to pass through. The surgery takes an hour or less and has little recovery time. After the surgery patients are allowed to resume their normal diet and lifestyle. Although the LINX is the only FDA-approved device for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it is only available through the UC Health system.
http://www.healthcanal.com/digestive-system/55291-magnets-help-cure-chronic-acid-reflux-only-system-locally-offering-linx.html