apetite

The Digestive System – what is it and why is it important for health ? Part 1

The digestive system allows the digestion and absorption of food and execution of waste products. There can be many problems associated with the digestive system which if ignored can lead to complex situations.

- Appendicitis
If a person is suffering from a sudden abdominal pain which shifts to right lower abdomen and worsens and is accompanied with nausea and slight fever, then it could be appendicitis and it is a complex situation which needs an attention immediately.

- Gall Stones
If a person is suffering from sharp stabbing pain in the ribs accompanied by flu like symptoms and jaundice, then it could be that the person may have gall stones and it is a complex situation which needs an attention immediately which may includes an ultra sound scan, medication and surgery.

- Peritonitis
If a person is suffering from frequent hiccups, vomiting and a hard abdomen, then it could be peritonitis which is the inflammation of the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity caused by injuries from repeated blows to abdomen. It needs an attention immediately which may include treatment by antibiotics, intravenous fluids and surgery.

- Stomach Cancer
If a person is suffering from stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, indigestion after meals, vomiting, pallor, diarrhea, weight loss, then it could be a stomach cancer which needs an attention immediately which includes operation.

- Ovarian Cancer
If a person is suffering from bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty in eating or feeling full quickly, urge to urinate, then it could be an ovarian cancer which will be confirmed by a gynecologist with a painless imaging test.

- Hepatitis
If a person is suffering from mild discomfort in upper abdomen and under ribs along with fatigue, jaundice and itching, then it could be hepatitis and you need medications, change of diet and rest.

- Colo-rectal Cancer
If a person is suffering from frequent bloody stools which lasts for more than six weeks with a feeling that you cannot empty the bowels totally with weight loss, then it could be colo-rectal cancer which if caught early has a 90% chance of getting cured.

- Bowel Cancer
If a person is suffering from diarrhea or constipation for more than a week and bloody or heavily mucused stools with a feeling if incomplete evacuation, then it could be bowel cancer which can be diagnosed by a digital exam.

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Peptic Ulcer – what are the causes, signs and symptoms

The duodenum is the first part of your small intestine. A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach or duodenum. A rash in the upper portion of the small intestine or in the stomach lining is called peptic ulcer. A peptic ulcer of the stomach is called a gastric ulcer; of the duodenum, a duodenal ulcer.

Causes of Peptic Ulcer

- Helicobacter pylori : It is usually caused by a bacterial infection of Helicobacter pylori. It weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum, allowing acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. Both the acid and the bacteria can irritate the lining and cause an ulcer to form.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Long-term use of these pain relievers is the second most common cause of ulcers. These drugs block prostaglandins, substances in the stomach that help maintain blood flow and protect the area from injury.
- Cigarette smoking not only causes ulcer formation, but also increases the risk of ulcer complications such as ulcer bleeding, stomach obstruction and perforation.
- Evidences suggest that life stresses or personality types contribute to ulcer disease.
- Alcohol, coffee, colas, spicy foods, and caffeine have no proven role in ulcer formation.

Signs and Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer

- Sharp and severe pain and discomfort in the upper central abdomen.
- Ulcer pain occurs usually an hour after meals.
- It rarely occurs in night.
- Duodenal ulcer usually occurs between meals when stomach is empty and is relieved by food.
- The pain lasts for minutes to hours.
- It comes and goes for several days or weeks.
- Some other symptoms may include weight loss, poor appetite, bloating, burping, vomiting and
feeling sick to your stomach.
- Sudden sharp stomach pain that doesn’t go away.
- Black or bloody stools.
- Bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Dengue – Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Risk factors.

Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. Dengue fever can occur to people of all ages but it mostly affects children under the age of 15 years, but can occur in all age groups. It is also known as breakdown fever.

It is found mostly during and shortly after the rainy season in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Southeast Asia and China, India, Middle East, Caribbean and Central and South America, Australia and the South and Central Pacific. The dengue virus is transmitted to its host during probing and blood feeding.

Causes of Dengue Fever

- It is caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4), of the genus Flavivirus.
- Increase in non-biodegradable plastic packaging and discarded tires.
- Increased jet air travel is helping people infected with dengue viruses to move easily from city to city.
- Lack of effective methods to control epidemics.
- Lack of effective mosquito control efforts.
- Poor Public health systems.
- Rapid growth or Overcrowding of cities in tropical countries.
- Urban decay, and substandard sanitation, allowing more mosquitoes to live closer to more people.

Signs and Symptoms of Dengue

After the mosquito carrying the virus has bitten a person the symptoms generally starts within 5 to 8 days. The acute phase of illness can last for 1 week followed by a 1 to 2 week period of recovery period.
- Mild fever, to incapacitating high fever upto 105 degrees.
- Rashes
- Headache
- Redness and pain in eyes
- Joint and muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Change in taste
- Swollen lymph nodes

Who is at a high risk of having dengue?

- Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get Dengue fever.
- Risk factors for Dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person’s age and immune status.
- It also depends on type of infecting virus.