Digestive and Abdominal Archives - Healthhype

Chronic Reflux | Persistent, Constant, Recurrent Acid Reflux

Dr. Chris — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:42:01 +0000

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD (UK ~ gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, GORD) is a chronic condition characterized by constant or recurrent episodes of acid reflux. The persistent backward flow of the acidic stomach contents up into the esophagus eventually leads to a host of complications and therefore proper treatment and management of GERD is essential. While most of us will experience the odd episode of acid reflux after overindulging in food and/or alcohol, sleeping or exercising after a large meal, in GERD the reflux is persistent. It may be exacerbated by the same factors that contribute to acute acid reflux but due to other causative factors, GERD will not resolve spontaneously and will inadvertently recur even after the symptoms ease. Causes of Chronic Reflux In order to understand the cause of chronic acid reflux it is important to look at the relevant anatomy and physiology. Food travels down the esophagus during swallowing and then empties into the stomach. Thickened muscles in the wall of the lower esophagus controls the passage of contents between the esophagus and stomach. This is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and it is contracted at all times. When eating, the LES relaxes slightly to allow [...]

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Proctitis (Rectum), Signs and Causes of Rectal Inflammation

Dr. Chris — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 23:50:45 +0000

What is proctitis? Proctitis is the medical term for inflammation of the inner lining of the rectum, the portion of the large bowel between the sigmoid colon and anus. The rectum usually fills with feces just before the start of defecation and then contracts to evacuate the feces down the anal canal and out of the anus. Proctitis may be acute or chronic, can involve the colon and usually extends to the anus. Although proctitis may arise due to various causes, the concern lies with sexually transmitted infections, especially if there is anal intercourse. In these cases, patients often delay seeking medical treatment due to embarrassment until the infection spreads or complications arise in the chronic setting. In proctitis, there is inflammation of the rectal mucosa which is the most superficial lining of the rectum. Depending on the severity, the inflammation may also involve deeper lying tissue of the rectum and damage local blood vessels. Chronic proctitis or severe acute cases, especially due to infectious causes, that remain untreated may lead to ulceration. Anemia due to chronic bleeding, rectal strictures due to fibrosis and the development of a fistula (anorectal, rectovaginal, rectovesical) is generally seen in prolonged and poorly managed [...]

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Abscess in the Appendix – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Dr. Greg — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:50:56 +0000

An appendicular abscess (abscess in the appendix) is a complication of acute appendicitis – invasion of the appendix of the large intestine by bacteria usually due to an obstruction. The appendix exists at the junction of the small and large intestine and is exposed to the movement of digested food, waste matter and is teeming with bacteria. It is therefore prone to becoming blocked and coupled with an infection, acute appendicitis can even be life threatening. An abscess is not the only possible complication. Other complications include gangrene, appendicular masses, rupture and general peritoneal infections. These complications associated with appendicitis is more likely to occur in a patient who delays in seeking medical attention. What is an appendicular abscess? An appendicular abscess is a collection of pus resulting from perforation or rupture of acutely inflamed appendix. The pus remains localized close to the appendix, because it is walled off by adhesions formed by the surrounding abdominal structures. This prevents the pus from leaking and the infection spreading throughout the peritoneal cavity. How doe an appendicular abscess forms? When the appendix become inflamed (appendicitis), complications arise if the infection is not treated promptly. In some patients, appendicitis can lead to gangrene [...]

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Regurgitation of Food and Fluids, Causes and Other Symptoms

Dr. Chris — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:51:10 +0000

The alimentary tract extends from the mouth to the anus. Food or drink, once swallowed, should only travel in one direction – down the alimentary tract. From the mouth it passes into the throat with voluntary swallowing and then reflexes coordinate involuntary processes that transports the food or drinks down the esophagus. From here it passes to the stomach, then the small intestine and after passing through the large intestine, any remnants are eventually expelled as feces. The contractions of the muscles in the wall of the gut that facilitates the movement of substances within is known as peristalsis. Sometimes the contents of the small intestine, stomach, esophagus or throat can travel in the opposite direction which is known as antiperistalsis. If it is forcefully expelled then it is known as vomiting. However, in some cases the violent eruption as seen with vomiting is not present. Instead the contents pass out quite passively in comparison to vomiting and this is known as regurgitation. What is regurgitation? Regurgitation is the passing out of undigested or partially digested food or fluids that are expelled in less forceful manner than with vomiting. Although the terms regurgitation and vomiting are used interchangeably, regurgitation is [...]

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Stomach Problem Causes, Types, Symptoms, Treament

Dr. Chris — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:31:44 +0000

What is the stomach? The human stomach is a walled sac that is a part of the alimentary tract lying between the esophagus (food pipe) and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). It plays a central role in both mechanical and chemical digestion of food – the process of breaking down food into simpler compounds for absorption into the body. What is a stomach problem? The term stomach problem is broadly used to describe any disorder relating to the stomach. It is also commonly used quite loosely to describe upper gastrointestinal symptoms in general. However, these symptoms may not be emanating from the stomach or be associated with any stomach disorder. The word ‘stomach’ is also at times used to refer to the abdomen in general. In this context, stomach problems may also refer to abdominal problems at large. Stomach Problem Meaning It is important to know the basic structure, activity and functions of the stomach in order to understand what may be meant by the term ‘stomach problem’. It is used to describe any upper abdominal symptoms, particularly with discomfort or pain that is left sided, any symptoms shortly after eating or when hungry. Although the symptoms are [...]

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Reflux Esophagitis (Acid Irritation of the Esophagus)

Dr. Chris — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:37:53 +0000

The esophagus is the part of the alimentary tract that connects the throat to the stomach. A bolus of food is propelled down the esophagus and enters the stomach when it pushes past the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The one-way flow mechanism largely controlled by the LES and mouth-to-anus direction of peristaltic waves ensures that the stomach contents do not spill over into the esophagus. However, this mechanism may sometimes fail to act effectively. Despite the esophagus being developed to withstand mechanical injury, it is not as well suited to chemical insults. Esophageal injury may occur very rapidly if the stomach contents, including its highly corrosive hydrochloric acid, flow backwards up into the esophagus. The subsequent inflammation of the esophageal wall is known as esophagitis or more specifically as reflux esophagitis. What is reflux esophagitis? Reflux esophagitis is the inflammation of the esophagus due to the backward flow of the acidic stomach contents. It is known to be the most common cause of esophagitis and is as prevalent as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is chronic acid reflux. However, this is not the only type of esophagitis and other causes may be more serious and difficult to treat. Reflux esophagitis [...]

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Enteritis (Small Intestine Inflammation) Acute and Chronic

Dr. Chris — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:49:58 +0000

The small intestine, also referred to as the small bowel, extends from the stomach to the large intestine. It is the longest portion of the human alimentary tract and measures approximately 6 meters (20 feet). The small intestine is an important site of both digestion and absorption of nutrients. It has three parts – the duodenum leading from the stomach, jejunum and ileum which continues to the large intestine. As with any part of the alimentary tract, the small intestine may become inflamed through a number of mechanisms. When the small intestine alone is inflamed, it is then referred to as enteritis or it can be more specific like ileitis which is inflammation of the ileum of the small intestine. What is enteritis? Enteritis is the term for inflammation of the small intestine. It is not specific for which part of the small intestine that may be affected, either the duodenum, jejunum or ileum, or the entire small intestine. The term enteritis is not heard of frequently on its own. Instead it is associated with inflammation of the neighboring parts of the alimentary tract – gastroenteritis for inflammation of the stomach and small intestine or enterocolitis for inflammation of the [...]

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Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms, Causes, Pictures and Diet (Foods)

Dr. Chris — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:25:35 +0000

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bowels, mainly affecting the colon and often involving the neighboring parts of the gut. Although the exact cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown, it appears to be associated with a genetic defect on the mucosal lining of the bowels and/or its response to the normal intestinal flora (bowel bacteria). There are two major types of IBD – Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – with the latter being more common. The colon and rectum, like the entire gastrointestinal tract, is lined with a mucosal epithelium simply referred to as the mucosa. In inflammatory bowel disease, this mucosal lining and often the deeper layers are severely inflamed, ulcerated and structurally damaged to varying degrees. What is ulcerative colitis? Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that is isolated only to the colon and rectum characterized by mucosal and submucosal inflammation often with the formation of shallow ulcers. As one of the two major types of inflammatory bowel disorders, the other being Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis is marked by recurrent bouts of severe diarrhea which is often bloody. Although ulcerative colitis is closely related to Crohn’s disease, it [...]

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HIV Enteropathy (HIV/AIDS) Small Intestine, Bowel Disease

Dr. Chris — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:28:59 +0000

HIV and AIDS in the Human Body HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection gradually destroys the parts of the immune system and it eventually reaches a point where the immune system can no longer adequately protect the body. Eventually a state is reached known as AIDS. which stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, where the body is at great risk of a number of opportunistic infections. The chain of events is as follows : The virus (HIV) enters into the bloodstream through infected blood or fluids transmitted during intercourse, transfusions, needle stick injuries or IV drug us. The virus enters CD4 T-lymphocytes, a type of immune cell, and replicates profusely within these cells. As the newly produced viruses exit the CD 4 immune cells, it destroys it. Eventually the number of viruses overwhelms the system and destroys almost all CD4 cells. There are many complications associated with HIV and AIDS. It is largely due to the body’s inability to defend itself from a host of threats in the environment. This manifests as a number of different diseases throughout the body. It is actually these diseases that eventually causes death, and not virus itself. What is HIV enteropathy? HIV infected cells One [...]

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Gastroparesis (Stomach Paralysis and Slow Stomach Emptying)

Dr. Chris — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:51:41 +0000

Normal Stomach Activity The stomach is a hollow sac with muscular walls that can contract and relax in order to help with digestion and motility. Food enters the stomach after passing down the esophagus (food pipe). Once in the stomach, the food needs to be crushed (mechanical digestion) and churned with digestive enzymes (chemical digestion). Eventually the partially digested food mixed with digestive enzymes, gastric acid and water is passed out of the stomach and into the first part of the small intestine known as the duodenum. This semi-fluid mass is known as chyme. The movement of the chyme into the duodenum is carefully controlled by the action of the stomach muscles through the narrow terminal part of the stomach known as the pylorus. It is regulated by the opening and closing of the pylorus in a manner that is referred to as the pyloric pump while the muscles in the other parts of the stomach pushes the chyme through it. This process is known as gastric emptying. In this way only chyme passes into the stomach and undigested food remains in the stomach for further crushing and churning. The entire process is regulated by the certain nerves and hormones [...]

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