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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Monday, July 7, 2008
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Monday, July 7, 2008
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The digestive system, which extends from the mouth to the anus, is responsible for receiving food, breaking it down into basic components including vitamins and minerals (digestion), absorbing the nutrients into the bloodstream, and eliminating the parts of food that couldn’t be digested by the body.
The digestive tract consists of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The digestive system also includes organs that lie outside the digestive tract: the pancreas, the liver, and the gallbladder.
Digestive disorders encompass the gastrointestinal tract as well as the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Most digestive disorders and diseases are complex, with subtle symptoms, and the causes of many remain unknown. The range of digestive disorders includes minor symptoms of discomfort to chronic diseases, and possibly life-threatening conditions.
Some common symptoms of digestive disorders are:
Chronic and possibly life-threatening diseases may include:
Risk factors for digestive disorders include:
Diagnosis of a digestive disorder requires a thorough and accurate medical history and physical examination. Some people may need to undergo more extensive diagnostic evaluations including laboratory tests, endoscopic procedures, and imaging studies such as an X-ray or CAT scan.
When the digestive system doesn’t function properly, it generally affects total well-being. Whether it's mild nausea, constipation, or a chronic disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome, a disorder of the digestive tract is almost impossible to ignore. If the condition persists, it can affect your overall health, possibly even threaten your life, depending on the underlying condition. Therefore, persistent symptoms should not be ignored, but rather should be evaluated by a medical professional.
This article is a NetWellness exclusive. 
Last Reviewed: Mar 09, 2006
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Julia Gore Thornton, MD Assistant Professor Gastroenterology-Hepatology Division MetroHealth Medical Center School of Medicine Case Western Reserve University |
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