Download Homeostatic Imbalances of the Digestive System

Homeostatic Imbalances of the Digestive System
Sign or Disease
Description, Causes, Etc.
1
Abdominal Adhesions
Fibrous bands that form between tissues and
organs, often as a result of injury during surgery;
hampers movement
2
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix, usually caused
by blockage from feces, a foreign object, or
tumor
3
Barrett’s Esophagus
The lining of the esophagus is damaged and
changed by stomach acid, due to weakend
esophageal sphincter; increased risk of
esophageal cancer
4
Belching (eructation)
Release of gas from the esophagus and
stomach through the mouth; caused by
swallowing air or carbonated beverages
5
Bowel infarction
Results from restricted blood supply to bowel
due to bowel obstruction or occlusion of one or
more of the mesenteric arteries; causes tissue
death
6
Celiac disease
Condition that damages the lining of the small
intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of
food; the immune system is responding to
gluten (protein in grains) by damaging the villi in
the SI
7
Cirrhosis of liver
Fibrous scarring of the liver caused by chronic
liver disease due to alcoholism, Hep B, C, and
fatty liver disease
8
Cleft palate
Birth defect that affects the upper lip and roof
of mouth; can lead to problems with feeding
and speech
9
Colon/rectal cancer
Uncontrolled cell growth of the cells in the
colon; Sx are constipation, blood in stool,
weight loss, fever, and vomiting; due to lifestyle
and increasing age
10
Constipation
Bowel movements that are infrequent or hard
to pass; caused by obstruction, diet, hormones,
side effects of some medications and heavy
metal toxicity
11
Cramping (intestinal)
Movement of smooth muscle is hampered and
causes discomfort; caused by parasites,
constipation, diarrhea, IBS, Crohns, or green
stool
12
Crohn’s disease
Chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines
that cause ulcers in the digestive tract
(anywhere from mouth to anus); cause is
unknown, possibly bacterial infection
13
Diarrhea
Loose, watery, frequent stools, can quickly lead
to dehydration; caused by food poisoning,
antibiotics, lactose intolerance, Crohns, celiacs
14
Distention
enlargement or swelling of the abdomen from
internal pressure; caused by overeating, air
swallowing, buildup of fluid in the abdomen
15
Diverticula
Weak spots in muscular wall of colon that form
pouches or sacs; caused by lack of fiber in diet
and age
16
Diverticulitis
Painful inflammation of the diverticula; caused
by bacterial infection or food particles; can
lead to rupture of the intestinal wall
17
Diverticulosis
The condition of having diverticula in the colon
18
Esophageal cancer
Abnormal growth of the esophageal cells;
linked to smoking and alcohol consumption
19
Flatulence
Expulsion through the rectum of a mixture of
gases (flatus) that are the byproducts of the
digestion process and bacteria; gases include
nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane
and hydrogen
20
Gall stones
Hard, pebble-like deposits made of cholesterol
or bilirubin; caused by fatty diet or rapid weight
loss; more common in women, Native
Americans, Hispanics, and people over 40
21
Gastroenteritis
Also called gastric flu or stomach bug—
inflammation of the stomach and small intestine
resulting in diarrhea, cramps, and vomiting;
caused by the rotavirus or norovirus, bacterial
toxins, and parasites
22
GERD
(Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease)
Condition in which stomach contents leak back
into the esophagus and irritate the lining of the
esophagus causing heartburn; caused by a
weakened sphincter
23
Heartburn
Acid indigestion, burning sensation in chest due
to acid reflux
24
Hemorrohids
Painful, swollen veins in the rectum or anus, can
cause bleeding due to straining during a BM,
during pregnancy or after childbirth
25
Hepatitis
Swelling and inflammation of the liver due to
viral infection; caused by the Hep A, B, C or D
virus; can be transmitted by fecal-oral contact,
IV drug use, blood or sexual contact
26
Hiatal hernia
Stomach sticks upward through opening in
diaphragm (hiatus); occurs mostly in people
over 50, smokers, and obese
27
IBS (Irritable Bowel
Syndrome)
leads to pain, cramping, changes in bowel
movements (structure of bowel is not
abnormal, as in Crohn’s and colitis); possibly
caused by stress triggers and following an
infection
28
Impacted tooth
Tooth that fails to pass through the gums;
common in wisdom teeth; caused by
overcrowding, small jaw
29
Inguinal hernia
Protrusion of the abdominal cavity contents
through inguinal canal; occurs in 27% of men
and 3% of women; caused by increased
pressure in the abdomen, heavy lifting,
straining, forceful coughing
30
Intestinal polyps
Mushroom-like abnormalities in the intestinal
wall; risk factor for cancer; linked to family
history, diet, smoking
31
Jaundice
Yellow coloration of skin, eyes, and mucus
membranes from bilirubin deposits; can indicate
liver dysfunction or breakdown of too many red
blood cells
32
Lactose intolerance
Inability to digest lactose; triggered by
infections of the SI, surgery, or lack of digestive
enzyme
33
Nausea
Discomfort in stomach, associated with motion
sickness, dizziness, migraine, fainting, food
poisoning, anxiety, depression, disgust; vagal
nerve sends message to area postrema in brain
stem (vomiting center)
34
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas; enzymes in the
pancreas become active and damage tissue;
triggered by alcohol abuse, genetics, or viral
infection
35
Peptic Ulcers
Open sores in the lining of esophagus, stomach,
or SI; caused by bacterial infection (H. pylori) or
some medications
36
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum (serous
membrane that covers abdominal organs)
from infection or trauma
37
Tooth decay
Holes in teeth due to bacterial damage
38
Ulcerative colitis
Inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum
that involve the inner lining
39
Vomiting
Forceful expulsion of the stomach contents
through the mouth (and, sometimes, nose);
triggered by gastritis, obstruction, overeating
40
Food allergies
Components in food (like peanuts, shellfish,
wheat) trigger a hypersensitive immune
response (differs from food
intolerance);histamine is released into the
bloodstream causing the symptoms such as
runny nose, itchy eyes, rashes and hives or even
an anaphylactic response
41