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GASTRO-INTESTINAL CENTER
Heartburn, Indigestion and Acid Reflux
Gas & Flatulence
The Role Of H-Pylori
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Glossary Of Terms
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The Process Of Digesting Food
From a purist point of view, the GI-Tract should include all glands and organs associated with the digestive process. When certain problems occur, disease or conditions manifest themselves as symptoms. Within "The GI-tract Center" we cover most of the major conditions as indicated on the table of contents. However, and understanding of the entire process of digestion is important in grasping the systemic nature of the GI-tract, as a series of glands and organs all synergistically working, to supply our bodies with proper nutrients via the process of digestion.
TONSILS/PAROTIDS the tonsils/parotids provide the saliva that is mixed with the food that you are chewing. Not only does the chemicals in your saliva (ptyalin) digest the food but the food is "tagged" just the way you tag anything that you want to organize.
For example, the body needs to know immediately what is entering through your mouth. Than decide if it may be harmful or helpful for survival. The body through the aid of the parotids helps the body tag all incoming substances so that the body can know as soon as possible what to do with this chemical. It must decide if it is a food, toxin, poison or what.
STOMACH: the stomach secretes acid (HCL) and pepsin to digest protein and sugar.
PANCREAS: the pancreas produces enzymes that further break down protein, sugar and fat that you just ate.
LIVER/GALLBLADDER: the liver/gall bladder produces bile that helps to break down fat that was in your meal.
SMALL INTESTINES: the small intestines also secrete "enzymes" which further prepare and digest proteins, fats and sugars. Besides aiding in digestion the small intestines also absorbed the digested food into the blood stream. At this point, any food entering your blood stream is transported to your liver for additional processing and preparing.
LARGE INTESTINES: the large intestines now separate and remove the electrolytes (sodium, chloride and potassium) and water from the undigested portion of food known as waste (fecal material). Then rids it from the body.
GLOSSARY
- Antacid: a substance that counteracts or neutralizes the
acidity of the stomach.
- Duodenum: the first portion of the small intestine, about 12
fingerbreadths in length.
- Esophagitis: an inflammation of the esophagus. Reflux
esophagitis is a chronic, pathologic, potentially life-threatening
disease associated with the backward flow of the stomach and duodenal
contents into the esophagus. Erosive esophagitis is principally
characterized by heartburn and regurgitation, and may be associated with
other diseases such as hiatal hernia.
- Gastric Ulcers: an open sore that occurs in the stomach and
affects the gastrointestinal lining; it may produce a constant pain felt
soon after eating a meal.
- Gastroenteritis: an acute inflammation of the lining of the
stomach and intestines; characterized by anorexia, nausea, diarrhea,
abdominal pain, and weakness. Often caused by bacterial food
poisoning.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux: a backward or return flow of the
stomach and duodenal contents into the esophagus, which may sometimes
occur normally, particularly in the distended stomach postprandially, or
as a chronic pathological condition; also called esophageal reflux or
reflux.
- GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; a backward or return
flow of the stomach and duodenal contents into the esophagus; also
called esophageal reflux disease.
- Heartburn: a sensation of warmth or burning behind the
breastbone, occurring in waves and tending to rise upward toward the
neck. This common ailment occurs when stomach acid washes back up into
the esophagus. Since the esophagus has no protective mucosal layer, as
does the stomach, this acid causes pain that generates just behind the
breastbone and seems to come from the heart, hence the term "heartburn."
It may be accompanied by a reflux of fluid into the mouth. Also called
pyrosis.
- LES: lower esophageal sphincter; a muscular valve in the
lower part of the esophagus.
- Pepsin: a general name for several enzymes of the gastric
juice that catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins to form
polypeptides.
- Peptic Ulcers: an ulceration of the mucous membrane of the
esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, caused by the action of the acid
gastric juice.
- Pylorus: the distal aperture of the stomach, through which
the stomach contents are emptied into the duodenum.
- Reflux: a backward or return flow of the stomach and duodenal
contents into the esophagus, which may sometimes occur normally,
particularly in the distended stomach postprandially, or as a chronic
pathological condition; also called gastroesophageal reflux.
- Ulcer: a local defect, or excavation, of the surface of an
organ or tissue. Common causes include H pylori infection, smoking,
excessive consumption of alcohol, heredity, diet, anxiety or stress.
(see peptic ulcers, gastric ulcers)
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