The Gastrointestinal

System

It is made up of…

Gall BladderStomach

Small IntestineLarge Intestine

Rectum Anus

Esophagus

Liver

Pancreas

Stomach Functions • “storage bin” – holds the meal in the

upper portion, and releases it into the lower portion

• “food mixer” – the muscles in the stomach contract and mash the food up

• “sterilizing system” – the cells in the stomach produce an acid which kills germ in bad food

• “digestive tub” – produces digestive fluid to break down chemicals in food as fuel for body

The Small Intestine

• Function: finishes digestion process, absorbs nutrients, passes residue onto large intestine

• Basically breaks down the food small enough so the body can absorb and use it

• Divided into the duodenum, jejunum and ileum • Chyme regulates secretions

– Chyme: semi-fluid mixture of hydrochloric acid, enzymes, and partially digested food.

– Chyme creates a chemical and mechanical irritation reflex, so the greater amount of chyme, the greater amount of secretion

The Liver

• Produce substances that break down fats• Converts glucose to glycogen • Produce urea (main substance of urine) • Makes amino acids • Filter harmful substances from the blood • Stores vitamins and minerals • Maintains proper level of glucose in the blood • Produces cholesterol (80% of body’s total) • Basically Produces Bile and Secretes it into Bile Ducts

The Pancreas• Digestive juices break down carbs, proteins and fats • Secretes hormones that affect blood level of sugar • Produces chemicals that neutralize stomach acids • Acinar cells (acini) – secrete digestive enzymes into

the small intestine• Islet cells – secrete hormones insulin and glucagon

into blood stream to regulate blood glucose concentration – Glucogon – raises the level of glucose in the blood – Insulin – stimulates cells to use glucose – Somatostatin – regulate the secretion of

glucagons and insulin • Pancreatic duct cells – secrete bicarbonate to

regulate small intestine acidity

Gall Bladder

• Stores the bile to have it in larger amounts when a meal is eated

• BILE: – Breaks down the fats in the food – Anti-oxidant which helps to remover toxins in

the liver

Large Intestine

• Colon – last absorption of any nutrients or water – Produces supplemental vitamins

• **Also apart of the immune system **

Rectum and Anus

• Rectum - Receives stool from the colon and stores it until the person knows the stool has to be evacuated

• *** Nervous System sends messages to the brain when stool and gas enter the rectum ***

• Anus – consists of 2 anal sphincter muscles and pelvic floor muscles– Upper anus detects rectal contents (solid, liquid, gas)– ** surrounded by muscles that control stool, ex: pelvic floor

muscles create an angle between rectum and anus which stops stool when its not supposed to come out

– Internal sphincter is always tight, except when stool enters the rectum, ex: keeps us content while sleeping

– External sphincter is contracted until you reach a toilet, then it relaxes to release stool

Specialized Cells

• Small Intestine contains mucosa which are covered in tiny fingerlike projections called villi and microvilli which allow nutrients to be absorbed

• Specialized cells allow absorbed materials to cross the mucosa into the blood where they are carried off in the blood stream to other parts of the body for storage and further chemical change

There are many Gastrointestinal

Disorders including:Abdominal Pain

Anal Fissure/ Bleeding Barium Enema/ Swallow

Colonoscopy Constipation Dehydration Diverticulitis

Gastritis Gastroenteritis

Giardiasis Heartburn

Hemorrhoids Hiatal Hernia Pancreatitis

Proctitis Sigmoidoscopy

Stomach Flu Ulcers

Vomiting

ConstipationCauses:

Constipation is caused by a lack of fiber or daily fluid. Also, if one holds in bowel longer than normal constipation can occur. Not enough exercise can bring forth constipation. Depression and other illnesses can cause constipation as well.

ConstipationSymptoms:

Constipation feels like the need to make a bowel movement, but it is not able to go through. Also, it can feel like bowels do not move through as frequently as possible.

ConstipationEffects:

Constipation can cause pain or bleeding of the rectum.

ConstipationTreatments:

Over the counter medication can treat constipation. Laxatives or enema can help soften stools, but too much of it or overuse can make symptoms worse. After meals time should be set aside to attempt to pass bowels. An increase in fiber and more exercise can also help.

Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)

Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)

Causes:

Coeliac Disease is caused by sensitivity to gluten that damages the lining of the small intestine. Diabetes mellitus and autoimmune disorders can lead to Coeliac Disease. This can also be passed down by genetics.

Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)

Symptoms:

Usually there are no symptoms, which is why the disease goes unnoticed. Some general symptoms include weight loss, tiredness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rashes.

Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)

Effects:

With an earlier the diagnosis, fewer effects occur. Effects can include organ disorders with the liver, spleen, and gall bladder, iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, osteoporosis, lactose intolerance, Type 1 diabetes, greater chance of cancer, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Coeliac Disease (Gluten Enteropathy)

Treatment:

Treatment includes a gluten-free diet for life. Tests of the intestinal lining must be taken.

Crohn’s Disease

• Description– Chronic

inflammation of the intestines

– Causes ulcers in either intestine or anywhere else in the digestive system

– Affects approximately 500,000-2 million people in the US

Crohn’s Disease

• Etiology

– Unknown• Suspicions:

– infection by a specific bacteria type, such as mycobacterium

– Abnormal immune reaction, where the body mistakes food, bacteria, and other substances as foreign, leading the immune system to attack and accumulate white blood cells in intestine (which causes inflammation)

Crohn’s Disease

• Symptoms– Abdominal pain (esp. in the lower right

portion of the abdomen)– Abdominal spasms– Cramps– Diarrhea– Malnutrition and loss of appetite (often

leading to sudden weight loss)

Crohn’s Disease• Symptoms as the Disease Progresses

– Joint pain– Fever– Fatigue– Anal sores– Bloating– Skin lesions/sores– Anal drainage

Crohn’s Disease– Medications

• TNF inhibitors (TNF promotes inflammatory response, which causes problems with autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s)

– Surgery• Provides immediate relief but does not cure

– Resection• Removing a section of diseased tissue in the

small or large intestine and reconnecting the healthy segments

TREATMENTS

Crohn’s Disease• Treatments

– Strictureplasty• helps prevent

shortening of the bowel by repairing tissue rather than removing it

– Nutrition• Dieticians help

patients maintain a healthy weight and absorb vitamins and other nutrients

Peptic UlcersOpen sores that develop on the inside lining of your

stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus.

CausesThe most common cause is Helicobacter Pylori, a type of bacteria.

Other causes:– Smoking– Excessive alcohol consumption– Regular use of pain relievers– Stress

Symptoms

Most Common: Burning anywhere from your nasal to your breastbone.

Less Common, but more severe: Nausea Vomiting, Vomiting of Blood, unexplained weight loss, appetite changes.

Types of Peptic UlcersGastric Ulcer: Stomach

Duodenal Ulcer: Beginning of small intestine

Esophageal Ulcer: Lower section of the esophagus; least common type of peptic ulcer.

Duodenal Ulcer

Gastric Ulcer

TreatmentThe goals of treatment are:

– Kill the Bacteria– Reduce level of acid within the digestive system in order

to reduce painTreatment options:

– Antibiotics: Used to treat the H. Pylori Bacteria – Acid Blockers: Reduce the amount of acid released into

the digestive tract.– Antacids: Neutralize stomach acid.– Proton pump inhibitors: Block the acid “pumps”– Cytoprotective Agents: Used to protect the Stomach

linings and small intestines.