4.2 The Digestive Tract in Health and Disease

Question 1

What are probiotics?

Answer 1

Cultures of living organisms (typically bacteria) that are integrated into our microbiota if it makes it to the large intestine

Question 2

Where are probiotics found?

Answer 2

Yogourt, kombucha, etc

Question 3

How are probiotics beneficial to humans?

Answer 3

Cannot treat or cure diseases, bit can help manage certain conditions

Question 4

What are prebiotics?

Answer 4

Carbs that act as food for the microbiota

Question 5

Where are prebiotics found?

Answer 5

Asparagus, garlic, banana, etc

Question 6

How are prebiotics beneficial to humans?

Answer 6

Support the health of the microbiome

Question 7

What are ulcers?

Answer 7

Weakened, damaged parts of the lining of the digestive tracts

Question 8

What are some examples of ulcers?

Answer 8

Canker sores: Occur in the mouth. Resolves on own

Peptic Ulcers: Occur in esophagus, stomach, small intestine. Related to infection with H. pylori bacteria

Question 9

What is gastroesophageal reflux?

Answer 9

When lower esophageal sphincter weakens and acidic stomach contents spill into the esophagus.

Question 10

What is the common name for gastroesophageal reflux?

Answer 10

Heartburn, acid reflux

Question 11

What can gastroesophageal reflux lead to if repeated?

Answer 11

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can then lead to ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus (pre-cancerous state), etc.

Question 12

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Answer 12

Experiencing severe discomfort in the lower digestive tract after eating certain foods.

This includes abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and flatulence

Question 13

What causes IBS?

Answer 13

Unknown at this time

Question 14

How can IBS be all treated?

Answer 14

Can only focus on treating symptoms by avoiding trigger foods, managing stress, drinking lots of fluids, etc

Question 15

What is diverticulitis?

Answer 15

When the diverticula (weakened walls of the large intestine form outpouchings) become inflamed.

Question 16

What is diverticulosis?

Answer 16

When diverticula bleed

Question 17

What can increase the risk of diverticulitis?

Answer 17

age, obesity, smoking, low physical activity, low fibre, high fat

Question 18

What are gallstones? How are the detrimental?

Answer 18

Hardened bile deposits that form stones in the gallbladder.

Can cause pain when fat is consumed and gallbladder contracts to release bile

Question 19

What increases risks of gallstones?

Answer 19

Diets high in simple sugars, saturated fat, and energy

Question 20

What is cancer?

Answer 20

Uncontrolled multiplication of cells

Question 21

Where can cancer occur?

Answer 21

Anywhere in digestive tract, the most common being in the colon

Question 22

What increases risk of cancer?

Answer 22

Physical inactivity, obesity, and diets high in red and processed meats

Question 23

What is constipation? Why is it detrimental?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What increases risk of constipation?

Answer 24

Age, being female, genetics, physical inactivity, medication, IBS, and diets low in fruits, vegetables, and water

Question 25

What is diarrhea? Why is it detrimental?

Answer 25

When matter passes too quickly through the large intestine

Lose a lot of water and nutrients

Question 26

What causes diarrhea?

Answer 26

Due to bacterial and viral infection (food poisoning)

Question 27

What are the requirements for a carb to be a prebiotic

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

How do we cute GERD?

Answer 28

Lifestyle changes where elevating head of bed and decreasing cigs, alcohol, chocolate, spicy foods, and high fat meals.