Page 15 - 86 human physiology part-2

Chapter 12

problems. Here are some more examples of common stomach and intestinal disorders:

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, the finger-like pouch that extends from the
cecum. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, and vomiting. Kids
and teenagers are the most common victims of appendicitis and must be corrected by surgery. While
mild cases may resolve without treatment, most require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by
laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly due to peritonitis and shock.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a disorder in which a person's digestive system is damaged by the response of the
immune system to a protein called gluten, which is found in rye, wheat, and barley, and also in foods
like breakfast cereal and pizza crust. People that have celiac disease experience abdominal pain,
diarrhea, bloating, exhaustion, and depression when they eat foods with gluten in them. They also have
difficulty digesting their food. Celiac disease runs in families and becomes active after some sort of
stress, like viral infections or surgery. The symptoms can be managed by following a gluten free diet.
Doctors can diagnose this condition by taking a full medical history or with a blood test.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a common disease of the bowel, in particular the large intestine. Diverticulitis
develops from diverticulosis, which involves the formation of pouches (diverticula) on the outside of
the colon. Diverticulitis results if one of these diverticula becomes inflamed. In complicated
diverticulitis, bacteria may subsequently infect the outside of the colon if an inflamed diverticula bursts
open. If the infection spreads to the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), this can cause a
potentially fatal peritonitis. Sometimes inflamed diverticula can cause narrowing of the bowel, leading
to an obstruction. Also, the affected part of the colon could adhere to the bladder or other organ in the
pelvic cavity, causing a fistula, or abnormal communication between the colon and an adjacent organ.

Gastritis and Peptic ulcers

Usually the stomach and the duodenum are resistant to irritation because of the strong acids
produced by the stomach. But sometimes a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori or the chronic use of
drugs or certain medications, weakens the mucous layer that coats the stomach and the duodenum,
allowing acid to get through the sensitive lining beneath. This can cause irritation and inflammation of
the lining of the stomach, which is called gastritis, or cause peptic ulcers, which are holes or sores that
form in the lining of the stomach and duodenum and cause pain and bleeding. Medications are the best
way to treat this condition.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Gastrointestinal infections can be caused by bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli,
or Shigella. They can also be caused by viruses or by intestinal parasites like amebiasis and Giardiasis.
The most common symptoms of gastrointestinal infections Abdominal pain and cramps, Diarrhea, and
vomiting. These conditions usually go away on there own and don't need medical attention.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

230 | Human Physiology