Posts Tagged ‘abdomen’

What are causes and scope of liver cancer?

The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions.
- The liver is necessary for survival.
- This organ plays a major role in metabolism.
- It lies below the diaphragm in the abdominal-pelvic region of the abdomen.
- It produces bile, an alkaline compound which aids in digestion.
- It does so via the emulsification of lipids.
- The liver’s highly specialized tissues regulate a wide variety of high-volume biochemical reactions.
- The reactions include the synthesis and breakdown of small and complex molecules that are necessary for normal vital functions.
- Medical terms related to the liver often start in hepato- or hepatic.
- This comes from the Greek word for liver, hēpar.

Functions of Liver
More than 500 vital functions have been identified with the liver. The functions include:
- Detoxification.
- Protein synthesis.
- Production of biochemicals that are necessary for digestion.
- Glycogen storage.
- Decomposition of red blood cells.
- Plasma protein synthesis.
- Hormone production.
- Production of bile for digestion.
- Production of certain proteins for blood plasma.
- Production of cholesterol and special proteins that help to carry fats through the body.
- Conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage.
- Regulation of blood levels of amino acids.
- These amino acids form the building blocks of proteins.
- Processing of hemoglobin – the liver stores iron.
- Conversion of poisonous ammonia to urea.
- Clearing the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances.
- Regulating blood clotting.
- Resisting infections by producing immune factors.
- Removing bacteria from the bloodstream.
- Liver breaks down harmful substances which are excreted into the bile or blood.
- Bile by-products enter the intestine and ultimately leave the body in the feces.

Scope and Causes of the Liver Cancer
- Liver cancer is the third most common cancer in the world.
- Liver cancer will kill almost all patients who have it.
- It is known to kill almost within a year.
- About three-quarters of the cases of liver cancer are found in Southeast Asia (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan).
- Liver cancer is also very common in sub-Saharan Africa (Mozambique and South Africa).
- Usually it is due to the prevalence of hepatitis B infection, which is the most common cause of this cancer worldwide.
- The reasons can also be due to rising obesity and diabetes rates.
- People who are prone to chronic hepatitis C which is another infection of the liver, causes liver cancer.
- l-carnitine deficiency is a risk factor for liver cancer
- Japan being member of International Cancer Genome Consortium is leading efforts to map liver cancer’s complete genome.

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What are various disorders related with small intestine?

Small Intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract connecting the stomach and followed by the large intestine. It is the longest part of digestive system. It has many folds to fit itself in the abdomen. Small intestine is also called small bowel. Most of the digestion takes place in small intestine. It consists of duodenum, the ileum, and the jejunum.

A healthy digestive system is really important. There can be few problems related to small intestine. The disorders with small intestine are mainly due to infection by microbes or structural disorders. Some intestine disorders are:
- blockage
- infection
- tumor
- crohn’s disease
- celiac disease
- short bowel syndrome.

Blockage in small intestine can be due to any kind of pressure that is applied externally, tumor or some foreign bodies. This blockage prevents fluids and waste products from passing through the digestive tract. Feeling of nausea, vomiting, inflammation in abdomen is observed.

Infection in small intestine is because of some bacteria or virus. This is because of eating spoiled food and having spoiled drinks. Feeling of constipation, diarrhea, cramps and loss of appetite is observed.

Celiac disease of small intestine causes inflammation and damage of intestine lining when it is exposed to specific forms of glycoprotein and gluten protein. It is an auto-immune disease.

Short bowel syndrome is the condition in which about two third of the small intestine is not working properly. It is also known as short gut. The nutrients are not absorbed properly as a result a feeling of fatigue, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea and malnutrition can occur.

Small Intestine Cancer is one of most dangerous disorder of small intestine as the symptoms of this cancer are not observed at early stages, they are noticed at later stages. Symptoms of small intestine cancer includes very acute pain in abdomen and intestine, too much weakness and excessive weight loss.

Crohn’s disease is an auto immune disorder. It causes inflammation and swelling of the digestive tract. The symptoms and complications of crohn disease can vary depending on the location of the inflammation. Common symptoms that can be observed are diarrhea, weight loss, weakness, vomiting, skin problems.

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SBBOS), or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is an excessive bacterial growth in small intestine. Various symptoms include nausea, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea, which is caused by a number of mechanisms.

The Digestive System – what is it and why is it important for health ? Part 2

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.

- Ulcerative Colitis
If a person is suffering from bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and anemia then it could be ulcerative colitis which is an inflammation and ulceration of the colon and rectal lining. Drugs are needed to cure it.

- Liver disease
If a person is suffering from loss of taste, then it could be a possibility that he or she is affected by a liver disease.

- Diverculitis
If a person is suffering from severe stomach pain that does not abate within an hour and is not relieved by antacids, coupled with pain, recurrent diarrhea, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting then it could be diverculitis which is an infection of pouches on the wall of the colon that requires antibiotics, antispasmodics and a high fiber diet.

- Peptic Ulcer
If a person is suffering from persistent ache in the gut that lasts for more than a few days between meals and at rest together with flu like symptoms, weight loss or rectal bleeding, then it could be peptic ulcer which can be treated with antibiotics and antiulcerants.

- O-esophagus Cancer
If a person is suffering from difficulty in swallowing, weight loss, chest discomfort, heartburn then it could be the cancer of oesophagus and it can be diagnosed by a barium meal and endoscopy.

- Hiatal Hernia
If the food is regurgitated from the stomach into the mouth then there is a possibility that the person is facing from hiatal hernia in which the upper part of the stomach slide up through the opening in the diaphragm and is diagnosed with barium meal and is treated with surgery.

- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
If a person is suffering from fluctuation between diarrhea and constipation with stomach cramps which rarely hit you while you are asleep then it could be irritable bowel syndrome which can be treated with antispasmodic drugs, frequent small meals and fiber diet.

- Acidity or Heart Burn
If a person is suffering from a burning pain in the chest then it could be because of acidity which is often confused with a heart attack. When stomach’s excess acid is forced back up from the wind pipe, acidity bursts. Eating a rich spicy meal just before bed time is the main cause for acidity. Take an antacid and raise the head of your bed and sleep on your left side.

- Round Worms
If a person is suffering from anal itching then it could be because of round worms and you need a de-worming session.