Digestive Health Archives

11. Rerouting the Digestive System

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

As you have learned, the digestive system exists to extract the nutrients we need from food. In the modern world, where food is abundant and choices abound, eating too much is common. When we eat more than we need, the body stores the extra calories as fat. Fat isn’t all … Read More

10. Diseases and Disorders of the Rectum and Anus

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

The final phase of digestion takes place in the last several inches of the colon, which are known as the rectum. This is where stool is stored until being passed during a bowel movement via the anal canal and anus. Even though this is a small area of the entire … Read More

8. Diseases and Disorders of the Small Intestine

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

The small intestine—which is about 22 feet long—is where much of the digestion process takes place as nutrients are broken down into sugar, amino acids, and fatty acids before they enter the bloodstream. Here is a look at some of the conditions that can affect the health of the small … Read More

7. Diseases and Disorders of the Pancreas

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

The pancreas is a six-to-eight-inch-long organ that extends horizontally behind the stomach near the upper portion of the small intestine. It supports the small intestine by producing enzymes needed to help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Its other major role is producing the hormones insulin and glucagon. Both hormones work … Read More

6. Disorders of the Gallbladder

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped pouch next to the liver. It assists in the digestive process by storing bile until it is needed to digest fats in the small intestine. Bile is a fluid produced by the liver, and is made from water, bile acid, cholesterol, bilirubin, and lecithin. … Read More

5. Diseases and Disorders of the Liver

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

Located in the upper-right side of the abdomen, the liver is your body’s largest organ, and a true workhorse. It converts nutrients to products the body can use, stores these nutrients, and delivers them where needed. It also stores iron, manufactures choles-terol, makes bile to digest fats, removes toxins from … Read More

4. Diseases and Disorders of the Stomach

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

The stomach, which lies on the upper left side of the abdomen, is where the digestive process begins. The stomach and its walls are made of layers of mucous membrane, connective tissue, and muscle fibers. The average stomach is about a liter in volume when empty (this varies depending on … Read More

3. Diseases and Disorders of the Esophagus

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

After you chew and swallow food, it travels down your esophagus and into the stomach. Most of the time, you don’t even think about the simple, everyday act of chewing and swallowing—after all, you’ve been doing it since you were born. But sometimes, people have trouble chewing their food into … Read More

2. Diagnostic Tests

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

In many cases, a digestive disorder can be diagnosed from common symptoms, a physical exam, and simple blood tests. But many digestive disorders share symptoms, making diagnosis tricky. Plus, some diseases, like colon cancer, need to be detected before symptoms appear so they can be effectively treated. In these incidences, … Read More

1. How Your Digestive System Works

Oct 9, 2018 · Lynne Christensen · Digestive Health

It’s said that you are what you eat. Your diet dictates your overall health and wellbeing. The right foods feed your body the nutrients it needs to maintain an active lifestyle, keep your brain alert, and protect you from illness and disease. But there is much more going on every … Read More

Digestive Health

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