The Unhealthy Digestive System

The entire length of the human digestive tract is subject to numerous disorders. Some are a nuisance or easily treated, whereas others can be deadly. A few are listed here:

Tooth decay: Bacteria living on the tooth surface secrete acids that eat through the surface of the teeth, causing cavities. The decayed area can extend to the interior of the tooth, eventually killing the tooth’s nerve and blood supply.

Acid reflux: Gastric juice, normally confined to the stomach, passes through the esophageal sphincter and burns the esophagus. This painful condition is commonly known as “heartburn.”

Vomiting: When a person vomits, the medulla (in the brainstem) coordinates the contraction of diaphragm and abdominal muscles and relaxes the sphincter at the entrance of the stomach, forcing chyme out of the stomach and up the esophagus. Alcohol, bacterial toxins from spoiled foods, and excessive eating can trigger queasiness and vomiting.

Hepatitis: Hepatitis literally means inflammation of the liver. Many conditions can cause hepatitis, including alcohol abuse, some pharmaceutical drugs, and eating poisonous mushrooms. Five viruses (hepatitis A-E) cause most cases of infectious hepatitis.

Gallstones: The gallbladder stores bile and secretes it into the small intestine. Sometimes, parts of the bile crystallize and accumulate as gallstones, which can obstruct the ducts that distribute bile. Most gallstones are made primarily of cholesterol. An affected person may have one or thousands of gallstones. 

Gallbladder and Gallstones

Appendicitis: The appendix has no known function, but it can nevertheless cause problems when it becomes inflamed or infected. If it ruptures, it can release bacteria into the abdominal cavity, causing serious infection and sometimes even death when left untreated.

Diarrhea: If the intestines fail to absorb as much water as they should, the feces become loose and watery. The risk of dehydration is high, and diarrhea is a major cause of death in underdeveloped countries. Many foods and waterborne viruses, bacteria, and protists cause diarrhea, as can treatment with some antibiotics. 

Constipation: A constipated person eliminates feces less frequently than three times a week, and the feces are hard, dry, and difficult to eliminate. Constipation has many causes, including an obstructed large intestine, loss of peristalsis, dehydration, starvation, and anxiety. 

Colon (colorectal) cancer: Cancerous tumors may arise in the rectum, colon, or appendix. This is among the most common cancer types, and it is a leading cause of death worldwide. Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids are swollen, distended veins that protrude into the rectum or anus. They cause painful defecation and bleeding.