Page 23 - 86 human physiology part-2

Chapter 12

• Bright red blood in the vomit
• Grainy appearance in vomit

Symptoms of Acute Bleeding

• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Cramp abdominal pain
• Feeling light headed
• Diarrhea

Symptoms of Chronic Bleeding

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Lethargy
• Pallor

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a test to look at the inside of your colon. Everyone should have a colonoscopy by
the time they are 50 to check for diseases of the colon. Colonoscopy is best known for its use in early
detection of colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colon
cancer develops from growths like polyps within the intestinal wall. These growths often take 5-10
years to develop usually without symptoms. You are at a higher risk to have this disease if you have a
close relative who has had it. If you are going to develop a polyp, you will probably do so after age 50.
So the American College of Gastroenterology (the digestive specialists) recommends screening
examinations every 5 years for early detection and removal of these cancer-causing growths after that
age. Don't make excuses! It's not so bad and it may save your life!

Case Study

Bob had a history of chronic pain in his intestinal area. He wasn't so sure what it was. The doctor
suspected what it was and gave Bob antibiotics. It helped. It so happened that whenever Bob ate
popcorn or nuts he would get this pain. Sometimes it would just go away... other times he had to go on
antibiotics. The doctor ordered some tests. Bob would have to stay away from nuts, popcorn, tomatoes,
strawberries, and anything else with seeds or hard parts. Seems something in his bowels couldn't
tolerate those foods. Bob ate a pretty healthy diet so he couldn't understand what was happening. A few
years later, Bob had another series of painful episodes. The pain was so great Bob could hardly stand
let alone go to work. This time the doctor did more tests and found out that his lower intestine was
almost blocked. Surgery was ordered. What did Bob have?

238 | Human Physiology