Page 20 - 86 human physiology part-2

The Gastrointestinal System

movement even after you have already had one.

When you digest food, the waste products go through your intestines by the muscles contracting.
When in the large intestine, most of the water and salt from the waste products are reabsorbed because
they are needed by the body for our everyday functions. You can become constipated if too much water
is absorbed, or if waste products move too slowly.

Not getting enough fluids, a low fiber diet, age, not being physically active, depression, stress and
pregnancy can all be causes of constipation. Medications and narcotics can also cause a person to get
constipated. Chronic constipation may be a symptom of a liver problem such as a urea cycle disorder.

The best way for a person to treat constipation is to make sure that you are getting enough fluids as
well as fiber in your diet. By doing this, the bulk of your stool is increased and also makes the stool
softer so that it can move through your intestines more easily. Being more active and increasing your
daily exercise also helps keep you regulated.

Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids (also known as haemorrhoids, emerods, or piles) are varicosities or
swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus.

Two of the most common types of hemorrhoids are external and internal hemorrhoids.

• External hemorrhoids are those that occur outside of the anal verge (the distal end of the
anal canal). They are sometimes painful, and can be accompanied by swelling and irritation.
Itching, although often thought to be a symptom from external hemorrhoids, is more commonly
due to skin irritation.
• If the vein ruptures and a blood clot develops, the hemorrhoid becomes a
thrombosed hemorrhoid.

• Internal hemorrhoids are those that occur inside the rectum. As this area lacks pain
sensory receptor|receptors, internal hemorrhoids are usually not painful and most people are not
aware that they have them. Internal hemorrhoids, however, may bleed when irritated.

• Untreated internal hemorrhoids can lead to two severe forms of hemorrhoids: prolapsed and
strangulated hemorrhoids.
• Prolapsed hemorrhoids are internal hemorrhoids that are so distended that they are
pushed outside of the anus.
• If the anal sphincter muscle goes into spasm and traps a prolapsed hemorrhoid outside of
the anal opening, the supply of blood is cut off, and the hemorrhoid becomes a strangulated
hemorrhoid.

Bleeding in the Gastrointestinal tract

Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract doesn't always mean you have a disease, it's usually a
symptom of a digestive problem. The cause of the bleeding may not be that serious, it could be
something that can be cured or controlled such as hemorrhoids. However, locating the source of the
bleeding is very important. The gastrointestinal tract contains many important organs like the
esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine or colon, rectum, and anus. Bleeding can come
from one or more of these area from a small ulcer in the stomach, or a large surface like the

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