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| July 24, 2008 |
Digestive Health Products
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What is Digestive System? Crohn’s Disease Crohn’s Disease (regional enteritis, granulomatous iletitis, ileocolitis) is a chronic inflamattion of the intestinal wall that may affect any part of the digestive tract. Most commonly Crohn's Disease occurs in the last portion of the small intestine and in the large intestine. The cause of Crohn’s Disease is not known. Researches believe that a dysfunction of the immune system results in the intestine overreacting to an environmental, dietary, or infectious agent. Certain people may have hereditary predisposition to this immune system dysfunction. Cigarette smoking appears to contribute to both the development and the periodic flare-ups of Crohn's Disease. Most commonly Crohn's Disease occurs in the last portion of the small intestine and in the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease in which the large intestine becomes inflamed and ulcerated (pitted or eroded), leading to flare-ups (bouts or attacks) of bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. The long-term risk of colon cancer is increased. Ulcerative colitis usually does not affect the full thickness of the wall of the large intestine and rare affects the small intestine. The disease usually begins in the rectum or the rectum and the sigmoid colon (the lower end of the large intestine) but may eventually spread along part or all of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis may start at any age but usually begins between the ages of 15 and 30. A small group of people have their first attack between the ages of 50 and 70. The cause of ulcerative colitis is not known for certain, but heredity and an overactive immune response in the intestine seem to be contributing factors. Cigarette smoking seems to decrease the risk of ulcerative colitis. However, smoking in order to reduce the risk of ulcerative colitis is ill-advised in light of the many health problems that smoking can cause. Constipation Constipation is a condition in which a person has uncomfortable or infrequent bowel movements. Constipation may be acute or chronic. Acute constipation begins suddenly and conspicuously. Chronic constipation may begin insidiously and persist for months or years. Causes:
Diarrhea Diarrhea is an increase in the volume, wateriness, or frequency of bowel movements. The frequency of bowel movements alone is not the defining feature of diarrhea. Some people normally move their bowels 3 to 5 times a day. People who eat large amounts of vegetable fiber may produce more than a pound of stool a day, but the stool in such cases is well formed and not watery. Diarrhea occurs when not enough water is removed from the stool, making the stool loose and poorly formed. Diarrhea is often associated with gas, cramping, an urgency to move the bowels (defecate), nausea, and vomiting. Causes:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of motility of the entire digestive tract that causes abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea. In this disorder, the digestive tract is especially sensitive to many stimuli. Stress, diet, drugs, hormones, or minor irritants may cause the digestive tract to contract abnormally, usually leading to diarrhea. Periods of constipation may occur between bouts of diarrhea. Irritable bowel syndrome affects women 3 times more often than men. Triggers:
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) In gastroesophageal reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD), stomach acid and enzymes flow backward from the stomach into the esophagus, causing inflammation and pain in the esophagus. The stomach lining protects the stomach from the effects of its own acid. Because the esophagus lacks a similar protective lining, stomach acid and enzymes that flow backward (reflux) into the esophagus routinely cause symptoms and in some cases damage. If GERD is not treated, it can cause permanent damage to the esophagus. Acid and enzymes reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter, the ring-shaped muscle that normally prevents the contents of the stomach from flowing back into the esophagus, is not functioning properly. When a person is standing or sitting, gravity helps to prevent the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, which explains why reflux can worsen when a person is lying down. Reflux is also more likely to occur soon after meals, when the volume and acidity of contents in the stomach are higher and the sphincter is less likely to work properly. Factors contributing to reflux include weight gain, fatty foods, chocolate, caffeinated and carbonated beverages, alcohol, tobacco smoking, and certain drugs. Peptic Ulcer A peptic ulcer is a round or oval sore where the lining of the stomach or duodenum has been eaten away by stomach acid and digestive juices. Ulcers penetrate into the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Gastritis may develop into ulcers. Ulcers develop when the normal defense and repair mechanisms of the lining of the stomach or duodenum are weakened, making the lining more likely to be damaged by stomach acid. By far, the two most common causes of peptic ulcer are infection of the stomach with Helicobacter pylori bacteria and use of certain drugs. Before current treatments for H. pylori infection were used, these bacteria were present in nearly 90% of people with duodenal ulcers and in 75% of people with stomach ulcers. Currently, the percentage is lower, about 50 to 75%. |
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