4.2 The Digestive Tract in Health and Disease Flashcards
What are probiotics?
Cultures of living organisms (typically bacteria) that are integrated into our microbiota if it makes it to the large intestine
Where are probiotics found?
Yogourt, kombucha, etc
How are probiotics beneficial to humans?
Cannot treat or cure diseases, bit can help manage certain conditions
What are prebiotics?
Carbs that act as food for the microbiota
Where are prebiotics found?
Asparagus, garlic, banana, etc
How are prebiotics beneficial to humans?
Support the health of the microbiome
What are ulcers?
Weakened, damaged parts of the lining of the digestive tracts
What are some examples of ulcers?
Canker sores: Occur in the mouth. Resolves on own
Peptic Ulcers: Occur in esophagus, stomach, small intestine. Related to infection with H. pylori bacteria
What is gastroesophageal reflux?
When lower esophageal sphincter weakens and acidic stomach contents spill into the esophagus.
What is the common name for gastroesophageal reflux?
Heartburn, acid reflux
What can gastroesophageal reflux lead to if repeated?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can then lead to ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus (pre-cancerous state), etc.
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Experiencing severe discomfort in the lower digestive tract after eating certain foods.
This includes abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and flatulence
What causes IBS?
Unknown at this time
How can IBS be all treated?
Can only focus on treating symptoms by avoiding trigger foods, managing stress, drinking lots of fluids, etc
What is diverticulitis?
When the diverticula (weakened walls of the large intestine form outpouchings) become inflamed.
What is diverticulosis?
When diverticula bleed
What can increase the risk of diverticulitis?
age, obesity, smoking, low physical activity, low fibre, high fat
What are gallstones? How are the detrimental?
Hardened bile deposits that form stones in the gallbladder.
Can cause pain when fat is consumed and gallbladder contracts to release bile
What increases risks of gallstones?
Diets high in simple sugars, saturated fat, and energy
What is cancer?
Uncontrolled multiplication of cells
Where can cancer occur?
Anywhere in digestive tract, the most common being in the colon
What increases risk of cancer?
Physical inactivity, obesity, and diets high in red and processed meats
What is constipation? Why is it detrimental?
Bowel movements that are difficult to pass or less frequent.
Stools tend to be dry and hard, which can be painful to excrete. Also increases risk for hemorrhoids
What increases risk of constipation?
Age, being female, genetics, physical inactivity, medication, IBS, and diets low in fruits, vegetables, and water
What is diarrhea? Why is it detrimental?
When matter passes too quickly through the large intestine
Lose a lot of water and nutrients
What causes diarrhea?
Due to bacterial and viral infection (food poisoning)
What are the requirements for a carb to be a prebiotic
Must make it past the stomach environment, be fermented by intestinal microbiota, and it must change the activity of the microbiota in a positive way.
How do we cute GERD?
Lifestyle changes where elevating head of bed and decreasing cigs, alcohol, chocolate, spicy foods, and high fat meals.
