Gastrointestinal tract

The gastrointestinal tract is also called the digestive tract or alimentary canal pathway by which
food enters the body. It includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, and anus.

Mouth sores

Small shallow open wounds or ulcers in your mouth that can make eating and talking
uncomfortable.

Reasons:

Injury (Accidental biting), AIDS, cancer, sugar, infections.

Scurvy

Scurvy is a disease resulting from a lack of vitamin C. Early symptoms of deficiency include
weakness, gum disease, swelling in gums, or bleeding.

Symptoms:

Weakness, feeling tired, scorbutic tongue, swelling gums.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of gums or gingiva. It commonly occurs because a film of plaque or bacteria

accumulates on the teeth. It is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease.

Cause:

• Cancer, diabetes, and HIV are linked to high risk.

• Poor diet
• Age
• Family history
• Changes in hormone (increased level of progesterone)

Signs and symptoms:

➢ Bright red or purple gums

 ➢ Inflammation or swollen gums
➢ Soft gums
➢ Bleeding from gums

Tonsilitis

It is the inflammation of the tonsils (two oval-shaped pods of tissues at the back of throat one on
each side)

Symptoms:

• Throat pain or tenderness

• Fever
• Red tonsils
• Loss of appetite
• Ear pain
• Swollen glands
• Stick neck

Esophagitis

Inflammation or irritation of the esophagus is effects of certain medications. Bacterial or viral

infections. Back reflux occurs when the stomach contracts backup of food into esophagus.

Symptoms:

• Difficult swollen
• Heartburn
• Painful eating
• Chest pain

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder that affects the ring of your muscles
between your esophagus and your stomach. This ring is called the lower esophageal sphincter.
You may get heartburn due to acid indigestion.
Symptoms:

• Burning
• Heartburn can last as long as two hours
• Nausea
• Hard time swallowing
• Vomiting
• A lingering cough

Anti-peristalsis

Reversed peristalsis action of the intestines by which their contents are carried upward.

Signs and symptoms:

• Vomiting occurs

Gastritis

Gastritis is a general form for a group of condition with one thing in common. Inflammation in
lining of stomach. The inflammation of gastritis is most often the result of infection with the
same bacterium that cause most stomach ulcers. It cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Causes:

It is caused by drinking too much alcohol, eating spicy foods or smoking.

Symptoms:

• Stomach pain
• Belching
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Abdominal bleeding
 Ulcer

A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of your stomach, small intestine or esophagus. Peptic ulcers
develop in the first part of your esophagus.

Symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain

Cause:

Most common cause of peptic ulcer are infection with the bacterium (helicobacter pylori) and
long-term use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen and
naproxen. Sodium stress, spicy stress and spicy food does not cause ulcer.

Diverticulitis

It is the infection or inflammation of pouches that can form in your intestines. These pouches are
called diverticula. The pouches generally aren’t harmful. They can show up anywhere in your
intestines.

Cause:

Diverticulitis usually develop when naturally weak places in your colon give way under pressure.
This cause marble-sized pouches to protrude through the colon wall.

Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Blood in stool
 IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

It is a common disorder that effects the large intestine. IBS is a chronic condition that you’ll need
to manage long term.

Signs and symptoms:

• Cramping
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Gas
• Diarrhea

Types:

Only constipation

Only diarrhea

Periodically both

Diarrhea

It is characterized by loose, watery stools or a frequent need to have a bowel movement. It

usually lasts a few days and often disappear without any treatment.

Cause:

• Food intolerance
• Viral infection
• Food allergy
• Bacterial infection
• Parasitic infection
• Stomach surgery

Symptoms:

➢ Nausea
➢ Abdominal pain
 ➢ Fever
➢ Bloating
➢ Dehydration
➢ Blood in stool

Constipation

Constipation occurs when bowl movements become less frequent and stools become difficult to
pass. It happens most often due to a change in diet or routine or due to inadequate intake of fiber.

Cause:

Constipation occurs when your colon absorbs too much water from waste, which dries out the
stool and makes it hard.

Ulcerative colitis

It is a long-term condition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum.

There’s a theory that the immune system mistakes friendly bacteria in the colon which aid
digestion as a harmful infection leading to the colon and rectum being inflamed.

Symptoms:

The primary symptoms of active disease are

• abdominal pain
• Diarrhea with blood
• Weight loss
• Anemia
• Fever

Piles

Piles are collections of tissue and vein that become inflamed and swollen. The size of piles can
vary and they are found inside or outside the anus. It occurs due to chronic diarrhea, lifting heavy
weight, pregnancy or straining when passing stool.

Symptoms:
• Hard painful lump felt around the anus
• Bright red blood is visible after bowel movement.
• Pain occurs during passing stool
• Area around anus become itchy, red and sore.