All diseases that pertain to the gastrointestinal tract are labelled as digestive diseases. This includes diseases of the esophagus, stomach, first, second and third part of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, the ileo-cecal complex, large intestine (ascending, transverse and descending colon) sigmoid colon and rectum.
Digestive disorders range from the occasional upset stomach, heartburn and nausea to the more serious and life-threatening colorectal cancer. These disorders encompass the gastrointestinal tract as well as the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Most digestive disorders and diseases are complex, with subtle symptoms, and the causes of many remain unknown. Some may be genetic or develop from multiple factors such as stress, fatigue, diet or smoking. Alcohol abuse also poses a risk for digestive disorders.
The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that processes food. In order to use the food we eat, our body has to break the food down into smaller molecules that it can process; it also has to excrete waste. Most of the digestive organs (like the stomach and intestines) are tube-like and contain the food as it makes its way through the body. The digestive system is essentially a long, twisting tube that runs from the mouth to the anus, plus a few other organs (like the liver and pancreas) that produce or store digestive chemicals.
The digestive system includes the digestive tract and its accessory organs, which process food into molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells of the body. Food is broken down, bit by bit, until the molecules are small enough to be absorbed and the waste products are eliminated. The digestive tract, also called the alimentary canal or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, consists of a long continuous tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. It includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The tongue and teeth are accessory structures located in the mouth. The salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are major accessory organs that have a role in digestion. These organs secrete fluids into the digestive tract.
Digestion begins in the mouth when food is chewed and starch is broken down by ptyalin, an enzyme secreted in saliva. Food then enters the stomach, where it is reduced to tiny particles and further transformed by gastric juices. The solid portion remains in the stomach for one to six hours until it liquefies completely; liquid passes into the duodenum (small intestine), where numerous enzymes produced by the pancreas, along with bile from the liver, break it down further for absorption. When it finally arrives in the large intestine, all nutritional value has been spent, and the only remaining process is the removal of water before final elimination.
There are many disorders and diseases of the digestive system. Some, like gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcers, and hiatal hernias can cause heartburn. Others may not heartburn as a symptoms, but because some people who have one of the above mentioned conditions also have other disorders of the digestive system, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), information is provided for these also. Digestive disorders causes include toxic chemicals from pesticides and other contaminates in food, blockage or damage in the intestinal track or an obstruction in the bile duct which interfere with the passage of bile salts or prevents the pancreas to produce the enzymes for digestion and absorption. Digestive disorders can also be caused from antibiotics, drug medications, synthetic chemicals and processed food.
Digestive disorders cause autoimmune disorders like allergic reactions, arthritis, bacterial, parasite and viral infection, diabetes, tumors and other health related conditions. Symptoms of digestive disorders and malnutrition are abdominal pain, anemia, bad vision, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dry skin, fatigue, gas, hair loss, heartburn, loss of concentration, low energy, muscle cramps, physical problems, premenstrual syndrome, rectal bleeding, weakness, weight loss or obesity in some. Every vitamin and mineral along with all the other essential nutrients will have different effects from each deficiency.
People suffering from digestive disorders or malnutrition are less likely to detoxify and eliminate the various toxins in the intestines and the rest without proper nutrition. Many toxins the liver deals with originate in the gastrointestinal tract. Our ability to remove these toxins is dependent upon proper function of the liver and enzymes for excreting the toxins. The detoxification and healing process improves by taking the right balance of nutrients.
