1. Gastro – intestinal diseases

1. What does the digestive system consist of?

The digestive system consist of oral cavity with teeth and tongue, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. And such secretion glands as salivary glands, pancreas and liver with gallbladder.

2. What are the principal functions of the gastro-intestinal tract?

The principal functions of the gastro-intestinal tract are:

1. To convert complex foods in the diet to the simpler substances that may be absorbed by the blood and used for nourishment by the body

2. To propel the products of digestion to their point of absorption into blood stream

3. To excite waste materials

3. What is gastritis? What types of gastritis do you know?

Gastritis – is an inflammation and irritation or erosion of the stomach mucosa. There are two types of gastritis: acute and chronic.

4. What can acute and chronic gastritis be caused by?

Acute gastritis may be caused by the indigestion of alcohol, sharp, spices, different chemicals like ammonium chloride, iodide, antibiotics, hot food, no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, different bacteria (helicobacter pylori, bacteria which lives in the mucosa of the stomach

Chronic gastritis may be caused by inadequate nutrition, tobacco and alcohol, psychic stress, prolonged medication, chronic infection, some endocrine diseases and metabolic disorders, allergic factors, bile reflex (backflow of bile into the stomach, pernicious anemia)

5. What are the most prominent symptoms of each type of gastritis?

The most prominent symptoms of gastritis include heartburn, epigastria fullness or pressure, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, hemorrhage abdominal pain, indigestion, hiccups, black stool.

6. What is ulcerative colitis? What are its symptoms?

Ulcerative colitis is a disorder of large intestine in which the colon becomes inflamed and ulcerated. The symptoms are: bloody diarrhea accompanied with rain and spasms in the bowel, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, anemia, arthritis, inflammation of eyes, tender nodules under the skin.

7. What is the treatment for ulcerative colitis?

Mild attacks of ulcerative colitis are usually treated with antidiarrheal drugs and rest. A special sulfonamide drug may control the symptoms of severe attacks and prevent recurrences treatment with corticosteroids by mouth and as enemas may be necessary. People who suffer an extremely severe attack may require hospital treatment. If complications develop emergency surgery may be necessary.

8. What complication may ulcerative colitis cause?

Ulcerative colitis can cause such complications as bloody diarrhea with perforation of the intestine peritonitis, intestinal bleeding, anemia, arthritis, inflammation of the eyes, and cancer of colon.

9. What is appendicitis? What are its causes and symptoms?

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix

Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes blocked, often by stool, a foreign body, or cancer. Blockage may also occur from infection, since the appendix swells in response to any infection in the body. The symptoms of appendicitis include: dull pain near the navel or the upper abdomen that becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen,loss of appetite , nausea, vomiting soon after abdominal pain begins, abdominal swelling, fever, painful urination, severe cramps, constipation or diarrhea with gas.