Digestive+System+and+Nutrition+Problems+MV

Molly Vaughn 8 September 2008 Human Biology

1. What is appendicitis and why is it dangerous? p. 145 Appendicitis is when a person gets an inflamed appendix and it has to be removed because, should the appendix burst, he result can be peritonitis, a life-threatening infection of the peritoneum. 2. What are dental carries? What causes them and how can they be prevented? p. 146 Dental carries are also known as cavities that occur when bacteria within the mouth metabolizes sugar and gives off acids, which erode the teeth. Two measures can prevent tooth decay: eating a limited amount of sweets, and daily brushing and flossing of teeth. 3. What is heartburn? And how can it be prevented? p. 148 Heartburn is a burning pain in the chest that occurs when part of the stomach contents escape into the esophagus. Ways to prevent heartburn is to avoid high-fat meals, don’t over eat, eat several meals a day instead of three big meals, and light exercise. 4. What is lactose intolerance? What are the symptoms? 150 Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose because of an enzyme deficiency. The symptoms of lactose intolerance are diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps after drinking milk and other diary products. 5. What are gallstones? p.152 Gallstones are crystalline bodies formed by from concentration of normal and abnormal bile components within the gallbladder. 6. What is jaundice? p. 153 Jaundice is a yellowish tent to the skin caused by an abnormal amount of bilirubin (bile pigment) in the blood, indicated liver malfunction. 7. What is hepatitis? p. 153 Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis occurs in several forms. 8. What is Cirrhosis? p. 153 Cirrhosis is chronic, irreversible injury to the liver tissue; commonly caused by frequent alcohol consumption. 9. What causes diarrhea and what are the symptoms, effects? p. 154 The major causes of diarrhea are infection of the lower intestinal tract and nervous simulation. 10. What is constipation? What can help ease constipation? p. 154 Constipation is delayed and difficult defecation caused by insufficient water in the feces. To ease constipation it is necessary to take laxatives, a bulk laxative is the most natural because, like fiber, it produces a soft mass of cellulose in the colon. 11. What are hemorrhoids? p. 155 A hemorrhoid is an abnormally dilated blood vessel of the rectum. 12. What is diverticulosis? p. 145, 155 Diverticulosis is the occurrence of little pouches of mucosa that have pushed out through weak spots in the muscularis. 13. What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? p. 145, 155 IBS is a condition in which the muscularis contracts powerfully but without its normal coordination. 14. What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease? p. 145, 155 IBD is a collective term for a number of inflammatory disorders. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the most common of these. 15. What are polyps and how are they associated with cancer? p. 155 Polyps are small, abnormal growths that arise from the epithelial lining. Polyps can be cancerous, however, they can be removed surgically. If colon cancer is detected while still confined to a polyp, the expected outcome is a complete cure. 16. How do doctors look at your GI tract? (Describe the pill cam and colonoscopy) p. 155 Doctors make you swallow a Pill Cam, which is a camera that you swallow that is a flexible tube that goes into your GI tract. Colonoscopy is a routine procedure used to examine and diagnose colon cancer. 17. Can carbohydrates be harmful? p. 158 Some nutritionists hypothesize that the high intake of refined carbohydrates and fructose sweeteners processed from cornstarch may be responsible for obesity in the U.S. In addition, these foods are said to have a high glycemic index, because the blood glucose level rises rapidly, the pancreas produces an overload of insulin to bring the level under control. Investigators tell us that a chronically high insulin level may lead to insulin resistance, diabetes type 2, and increased fat disposition. Disposition of fat is associated with coronary heart disease, liver ailments, and several types of cancer. 18. Can proteins be harmful? p. 159 Although, proteins/amino acids are known to help build muscles, they can also be harmful. Excess amino acids are not always converted to muscle tissue. The liver removes the nitrogen portion during deamination and uses it to form urea, which is excreted in urine. The water needed for excretion of urea can cause dehydration when a person is exercising and losing water by sweating. High-protein diets, especially those rich in animal proteins, can also crease calcium loss in urine. Excretion of calcium can lead to kidney stones. 19. Can lipids be harmful? p. 159 Cardiovascular disease is often due to arteries blocked by plaque, which contains saturated fats and cholesterol. Cholesterol is carried in the blood by two types of lipoproteins: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is though of as “bad” because it carries cholesterol from the liver to the cells, while HDL is thought of as “good” because it carries cholesterol to the liver, which takes up and converts it to bile salts. Saturated fats tend to raise LDL cholesterol levels, while unsaturated fats lower LDL cholesterol levels.