Eating is a mandatory process for the life of any living organism. The digestive system, which consists of many organs, is responsible for ensuring that everything goes smoothly. Any failure in the operation of this mechanism, debugged by nature itself, can cause serious harm to human he alth. Therefore, it is necessary to engage in the prevention of diseases of the digestive system and, if necessary, be sure to contact a medical institution for help.
Note. Statistics say that gastrointestinal pathologies are among the most common diseases in the world. For example, in Russia, according to medical reports, gastroenterological problems are in third place after oncology and cardiovascular diseases.
What is the human gastrointestinal tract?
Before we talk about the prevention of diseases of the digestive system, let's talk about what the system is, dozensorgans of which are involved in the process of grinding food, processing it, assimilation and excretion of decay products and all excess (undigested food) from the body. What is this cycle called the process of digestion:
The initial stop of food on this "long" journey is the oral cavity, in which the food is chewed (chopped), mixed with saliva (it is released as a result of signals given by the brain) and turns into a small soft lump
- Further, passing through the pharynx, the food enters the muscular tube (its length is 22-25 cm), which has a cylindrical shape, that is, into the esophagus. What prevents food from returning to the oral cavity? Two sphincters (valves) located at the top and bottom of the esophagus.
- The next stop is the stomach. This is where the fun begins. The stomach is very similar to a cauldron in which food is mixed to a paste-like state and digested by the action of gastric juice (it consists of hydrochloric acid and certain enzymes).
- Further, the primary processed food enters the largest section of the small intestine, namely the duodenum (duodenum). We remind you: the composition of the small intestine includes the duodenum and two more intestines (jejunum and ileum). So, in the duodenum, under the action of enzymes, bile, intestinal and pancreatic juices, carbohydrates, proteins and fats are split in such a way that they can be easily absorbedbody.
- In the small intestine, under the action of enzymes and intestinal juice, the process of formation of fatty acids, monosaccharides and amino acids, which are subsequently absorbed into the blood, occurs. It should be noted that the intestines can absorb about 2-3 liters of liquid in 60 minutes.
Important! After absorption, the nutrients dissolved in water do not penetrate into the general circulation, but into the blood accumulated in the portal vein and moving towards the liver.
- Further along the route is the large intestine, where the absorption of fiber, electrolytes and water occurs, as well as the fermentation process and the formation of feces.
- The process of digestion is completed in the rectum. The contents of the intestine are emptied through the anus.
What other organs are involved in the process of digestion?
There are several:
- Pancreas. It is she who produces enzymes and secretes pancreatic juice, which are so necessary for the full course of digestion of food and the metabolic process.
- Gall bladder. The function of this digestive organ is to collect bile in itself and feed it to the duodenum, in which, together with pancreatic juice, the food received from the stomach is split. Moreover, it is processed to such a state that it can freely pass through the small intestine.
- Liver. It is located in the right hypochondrium under the diaphragm and is the largest gland in the human body. The liver is a filter, as a result of which the blood is cleansed and disinfected andharmful compounds. In addition, the body regulates protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
- Kidneys and adrenal glands. They are the main organs in the process of urination. It is with the help of them that all the water that comes from the colon is filtered, and it is divided into suitable for human life and urine, which contains harmful impurities.
Important! From all of the above, it becomes clear that all the organs involved in the process of digestion are extremely important. Each of them clearly fulfills the role assigned to him. Therefore, it is so important to carry out the prevention of diseases of the digestive system. Otherwise, problems may arise that threaten the development of various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
Pathologies of the digestive system
Before talking about the prevention of diseases of the digestive system, let's list the possible pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract:
- Gastritis. This pathology affects about 70% of the total adult population of the world. And with age, the risk of getting gastritis only increases. The consequence of the pathology may be gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer.
- Cirrhosis of the liver. A disease of a chronic nature, which is accompanied by irreversible processes of replacement of active liver tissue cells with fibrous ones. There is a decrease or increase in the body, and it also becomes rough, dense and bumpy. In most cases, the pathology is not treatable and ends in death.
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum. Statistics show that every 15th inhabitant of the planet Earth is diagnosed with pathology.
- Polyps of the stomach. A fairly rare disease and, as a rule, does not have pronounced symptoms. Polyps are a collection of cells on the inner surface of the stomach.
- Perforated ulcer (perforated). The presence of a through hole in the wall of the stomach (or duodenum), through which its contents flow into the peritoneal cavity.
- Hepatitis. A very dangerous inflammatory pathology of viral origin.
- Pancreatitis. Pathology is characterized by an inflammatory process in the pancreas. It self-destructs due to the fact that the enzymes it secretes do not enter the duodenum, but remain in the organ.
- Colon cancer. Mortality from this serious disease is about 10-12% of the total number of deaths from oncology.
- Irritable bowel syndrome. The histological picture of the pathology - changes in the intestines of a dystrophic nature.
- Cholelithiasis. It is the formation of calculi (stones) in the gallbladder or its ducts.
- Appendicitis. Inflammation of the caecum, or to be more precise, its appendix (appendix). A very common disease that is diagnosed in the peritoneum, requiring surgical intervention.
- Colitis. Inflammatory process of the colon mucosa. The main causes of the disease are: infections, dysbacteriosis and insufficient amount of fiber in food.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Throwing back into the esophagus the contents of the stomach or duodenum. This can only happen onceor on a regular basis. As a result, the lower esophagus is affected.
- Enterocolitis. It is characterized by an inflammatory process in the small and large intestines at the same time. What can provoke pathology? It could be infections; abuse of "hot" drinks or spicy foods; use of antibiotics for a long time; helminths, allergies to certain foods, as well as an unbalanced diet.
- Duodenitis (may be chronic or acute).
- Intestinal obstruction. It is characterized by either partial or complete lack of patency of the contents through the gastrointestinal tract.
- Bile duct dyskinesia. This disorder of a functional nature is manifested by impaired motility of the biliary tract.
- Gastroenteritis. Pathology is characterized by an inflammatory process of the stomach and small intestine and is accompanied by diarrhea, pain in the abdomen and vomiting. Most often, gastroenteritis, both its acute form (OGE) and chronic, can be provoked by viruses (to be more precise, E. coli bacteria and rotaviruses) and other pathogens. Sometimes the cause of the pathology is in no way connected with any infection. For example, the development of the disease in children can be triggered by poor hygiene or weak immunity. What is the prevention of infectious diseases of the digestive system, OGE in particular? First of all, it is the observance of the rules of personal hygiene (for example, washing hands frequently with soap and drinking boiled water), as well as eating drinks from trusted manufacturers and clean products,including vegetables and fruits.
- Pyloric stenosis (pyloric stenosis). It is a significant narrowing of the opening in the region of the transition of the stomach into the duodenum.
- Liver failure. It is characterized by a violation of several functions (or only one) of the liver. Clinically, this manifests itself in monotonous speech, drowsiness, uncoordinated movements and tremor.
- Gastrointestinal dyskinesia. Problems with the digestive system associated with difficulty moving food through the gastrointestinal tract.
- Cholecystitis. It is the most common complication of gallstone disease. The main cause of the pathology is a violation in the process of outflow of bile.
- Intestinal dysbacteriosis. Represents an imbalance of the microflora of the body. Moreover, dysbacteriosis itself is not a pathology, but its presence may indicate a disease.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Infectious diseases of the digestive system: botulism, dysentery, salmonellosis, cholera, helminthic invasions.
Let's dwell on some points in more detail.
Gastritis and its symptoms
This pathology is characterized by an inflammatory process of the gastric mucosa, which can be triggered by psychological trauma, bacteria, and improper medication. As a result, the shell of the organ loses its ability to withstand the action of pepsin and hydrochloric acid, which are a necessary attribute of food processing.
Gastritis can be acute or chronic. Moreover, depending on the level of aciditygastric juice, the pathology is divided into hypoacid (with a low content of hydrochloric acid in the stomach) and hyperacid (with an increased amount).
Note! The latter type of gastritis is much more common and is characterized by the fact that erosion appears on the mucosa over time.
Gastritis symptoms:
- Presence of general lethargy, drowsiness and weakness.
- Sickening condition, sometimes turning into vomiting.
- Pain in the hypochondrium.
- Fast weight loss.
- Failure of the heart muscle.
- Dizziness.
- Lack of appetite.
- Having certain stool problems.
- Frequent irritability.
- Violation of taste sensations.
- Limited ability to actively move.
Important! Symptoms, in the presence of which it is worth alerting and calling an ambulance team: plaque on the tongue, belching with the smell of food that has long been eaten, as well as heaviness or pain in the pit of the stomach.
Therapy of disease
Before we talk about the prevention of diseases of the human digestive system and in particular gastritis, let's talk about its treatment. The most important thing in this process is taking antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, as well as an adequate diet selected by a specialist.
Medications should be taken within 10-14 days. The dosage must be determined by the doctor. Several drugs may be included in the treatment regimen. For better healing of the mucosaa medicine such as "Solkloseryl" is suitable for the stomach, and "Motilium" will give a good effect to activate the motor function of the organ.
If a patient has hyperacid gastritis, the following recommendations should be followed:
What should the patient refuse? From s alty, spicy and fatty foods; as well as s alt, garlic, spirits, coffee, smoked meats, radishes and mushrooms
- Food should be warm, never hot.
- Low-fat dairy products, low-fat meat and fish, Borjomi mineral water (drink one glass 30 minutes before meals), mashed potatoes and jelly are welcome.
If hypoacid gastritis is diagnosed, then the following recommendations should be followed:
- Eat at certain times.
- Meals should be frequent, 5-6 meals a day.
- Sour-milk products, milk, cottage cheese, all kinds of mashed potatoes, fruit juices, as well as meat and fish, steamed or simply boiled are welcome.
- Food should be chewed thoroughly and slowly.
Traditional medicine in the fight against gastritis
Before talking about measures to prevent diseases of the digestive system (in particular gastritis), let's talk about traditional medicine recipes that quite effectively help to cope with the disease. Here are some of them:
- Steam the rose hips in the oven and eat them warm.
- Mixing10% propolis tincture and sea buckthorn oil in a ratio of 1:10. We use the mixture (20 drops) three times a day with mineral water or milk.
- Pour wheat grains (approximately 100 grams) with water. After the sprouts appear, cut them off, wash them in running water and scroll in a meat grinder. We use green mass in combination with vegetable oil (a few tablespoons) on an empty stomach every day.
Pour the bird cherry fruit (1 tablespoon) with boiling water (1 glass), cook for 15 minutes, cool, add 10% propolis extract to alcohol (40 drops) and drink three times a day in a glass
Important! Before you start using traditional medicine, do not forget to consult your doctor about your actions.
Preventive measures to prevent stomach gastritis
Prevention of diseases of the digestive system, such as gastritis (both its acute form and chronic), includes the following activities:
- We follow a correct and balanced diet. We refuse pizza, hot dogs and other types of fast food.
- We eat every 3-4 hours at a well-defined time. The number of receptions should not be less than 5.
- We monitor the volume of portions, which should be no more than what can fit in the palm of your hand.
- We pay great attention to the quality of the food that is on the table. Preferably freshly cooked and warm.
- When eating, do not rush and do not chew food quickly.
- Speaking about the prevention of diseases of the digestive system, one cannot but mention such bad habits as smoking and drinking alcohol. We definitely reject them. Moreover, the use of their low quality leads not only to inflammation of the gastric mucosa, but sometimes to poisoning.
- If the type of activity is associated with the inhalation of chemical vapors, then we must use personal protective equipment (gloves, masks and goggles).
Botulism and its symptoms
Before you learn about the prevention of diseases of the digestive system, such as botulism, we will tell you about the causes and symptoms of its development.
This is one of the most dangerous infectious pathologies that can be triggered by toxins from the botulism bacteria that lives in the soil and reproduces in an oxygen-free environment, releasing a toxic substance. The disease is characterized by a serious lesion of the central nervous system (central nervous system), and to be more precise, the spinal and medulla oblongata. Very often, pathology is accompanied by a malfunction of the heart muscle. Spores enter the human digestive system with poor-quality meat or fish products, canned food, mushrooms or vegetables (especially with home-made preparations). Sometimes botulism can develop as a result of bacteria getting into the wound.
Important! You should not be afraid of a person with botulism, for others it is completely safe.
Initial symptoms of pathology: headache, vomiting (it can be repeated), diarrhea, pain in the areaabdomen (but no fever is usually observed).
Further, the pathology develops quite rapidly, and already after 24 hours the patient may develop dry mouth, diarrhea can be replaced by constipation, muscle paralysis, loss of vision and other negative manifestations, even death.
Note! Sometimes, instead of botulism, a patient is diagnosed with tonsillitis due to such a manifestation as the bright red color of the pharynx and nasopharynx. Moreover, in the area above the larynx, there is an accumulation of viscous, thick mucus, which is transparent at the beginning of the process, and subsequently becomes cloudy.
Botulism treatment
Before talking about the prevention of diseases of the digestive system, such as botulism, let's dwell on the methods of treating the disease. Such a pathology is treated exclusively in a hospital. What can you do while waiting for the ambulance to arrive? We perform gastric lavage with boiled water for the patient and collect vomit for further investigation. In a hospital, special probes are used for these purposes. Next, patients are injected with antitoxic serum against botulism and prescribe drugs that have the ability to bind and retain a variety of toxic substances (enterosorbents). Treatment with diuretics is also possible.
All patients are shown "Levomycetin", "Tetracycline" or "Ampicillin" to suppress the vital activity of bacteria. In the event of paralysis of the respiratory muscles, doctors may decide to connect the patient to the devicemechanical ventilation.
Recovery from botulism is a long process (it is easier to take care of the prevention of infectious diseases of the digestive system). One of the first signs that improvement is coming is the presence of salivation. Over time, muscle strength and vision are restored (it can be weakened within a few months).
Note! Despite the fact that during the course of the disease the patient had serious neurological disorders, after recovery, almost all of them are restored.
Prevention of botulism
Preventive measures against infectious diseases of the digestive system such as botulism include the following:
- Absolute observance of the rules for the storage and preparation of semi-finished fish and meat products, as well as all kinds of canned food (for example, vegetables).
- Can boiling prevent botulism? The vegetative form is possible: it is enough to boil canned food for 5 minutes, and the bacteria die. But it is difficult to deal with the spore form, since even boiling for 5 hours does not always give positive results.
- No measures to prevent diseases of the digestive system will help if you indiscriminately purchase and eat obviously spoiled foods. Be vigilant and attentive.
Important! Measures to prevent infectious diseases of the digestive system are, of course, very good. But if there are still signs of the disease, thatdo? First of all, contact the infectious disease hospital for help (in extreme cases, call an ambulance) and hand over products of “suspicious quality” for laboratory testing.
Conclusion
What is the prevention of diseases of the digestive system? Briefly about this, for example, about gastritis and botulism, read above. The most important thing in therapy is taking medications and dieting. An important role is played by timely access to a medical institution and diagnosis. Primary prevention of diseases of the digestive system is also extremely important. It includes not only a balanced and adjusted diet, but also an active lifestyle, regular procedures such as abdominal ultrasound, and the ability to abstract from all sorts of stressful situations.
