Digestive System
The gastrointestinal system extends from the mouth to the anus. It includes the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small and large intestine, rectum and the anus. The digestive system also includes other organs responsible for digestion, namely the liver, gall bladder and the pancreas. By way of the peristaltic movements of the tract and enzymes secreted from these organs, food is digested and absorbed; to be either stored in the body, or used as energy. Nerves and blood vessels also play a major role in the digestive system. (Kumar, 2007)
Diseases of the digestive system are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Approximately ten percent of all general practitioner consultations in the United Kingdom are due to digestive problems, with a majority resulting from diarrhea. In the United States, approximately $85.5 billion are spent on GI and liver diseases. (Boon, 2006) The highest cost per year is 9.3 billion dollars for Gastro esophageal Reflux disease (GERD), followed by gallbladder disease (5.8 billion),and 4.8 billion for colorectal cancer. Infective diarrhea and malabsorption are a major cause of hospital admissions and death amongst developing countries. Moreover, this is the most common site for harboring cancerous growth. (RS, JE, & M, 2002)
Recently, due to the advancements in medical technology and extensive research being carried out, there has been an improvement in the diagnostic capability, greatly decreasing the period of illness. Sophisticated radiological tests, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy have also replaced the need for invasive surgeries under general anesthesia, greatly reducing the cost of medical treatment through...
Tobacco use or cigarette smoking is also linked to the development of colorectal cancers most especially after more than 35 years of smoking. but, there is no biological explanation for this link. Colorectal cancer is often incidentally found in screening procedures and may be completely asymptomatic. But approximately half of patients with colorectal carcinoma experience abdominal pain, this is the most common symptom. About 35% of patients have altered bowel
Ulcerative Colitis Initial presentation The patient is an 18-year-old of the Filipino-American origin. He has no known family history of ulcerative colitis or chronic illnesses similar to colitis. He is a high school senior student. Historical information The patient complains of diarrhoea 3-4 times a month although it has been on and off for one year. There is no known allergy that the patient experiences. Presenting Symptoms He experienced rectal bleeding, rectal pain and often had
The success was remarkable, according to the researchers: Even muscles that had already lost half of its mass, recovered visible. (Leppanen et al. p5549-65) At the same time, the mice survived for several weeks longer than their untreated counterparts and also developed a healthy appetite again. (Mantovani, p296) The new study is therefore interesting in two respects: First, it demonstrates that the muscle loss at least in animal models in
Essay Topic Examples 1. The Psychosocial Impact of Crohn's Disease: This essay would explore the ways in which Crohn�s disease affects patients' mental health and social interactions. It will delve into the challenges of living with a chronic illness, including issues such as coping with symptoms, managing stress and anxiety, and maintaining relationships and social activities. 2. The Role of Diet and Nutrition in Managing Crohn's Disease: This topic would discuss how
Essay Topic Examples 1. The Epidemiology and Genetic Factors of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: This essay would explore the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in different populations and regions, assessing risk factors and the impact of genetic variables on the susceptibility and manifestation of IBD. A discussion on the heritability of IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and the identification of specific genes associated with increased risk could be included. 2. The
(16) The drug has better coverage against Gram-positive cocci and atypical pathogens, and it is able to achieve excellent penetration into respiratory fluids and tissues. One particular adverse effect of the drug is that it may result in gastrointestinal disturbances, and thereby affect the individual's metabolism. (17) e) How does metabolism influence clearance, bioactivity and elimination? At times, the metabolism does tend to affect the absorption and the clearance of
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