Digestive System Flashcards
carbohydrate and fat digestion begins with
Enzymes contained in saliva
Name the three salivary glands and their locations
Sublingual - under tongue
Submandibular - along inner surface of mandible
Parotid - slightly inferior and anterior to each ear
Caries/cavities are likely caused by lack of which vitamins?
K2 & D
What dietary changes can be helpful for a person with dental caries? (Include supplements and daily amounts)
Elimination of grains
Mineral-laden foods and supplements
Vitamin K2: 1mgdaily per 100lbs w largest meal
Vitamin D: 3000 iu daily, testing blood in 6 weeks to reach 50-79ng/ml
Gingivitis might be a sign of ____ or _____.
Vit c deficiency, anemia
Which antioxidant (in what amount) is helpful for gingivitis?
CoQ10: 300mg daily
Or Ubiquinol 50-100mg daily
What dietary addition can be helpful for gingivitis?
Blueberries (berries in general), 1/2-1 cup daily
What herbal preparation can be helpful for gingivitis?
White oak bark and calendula tea with tea tree oil as mouthwash several times daily.
What are some causes of stomatitis? (6)
Chemical irritation Mouth breathing Cheek biting Chemotherapy Radiation treatment Bacteria, viruses, fungi
What supplement can be helpful for stomatitis (in what amounts) and why?
B-vitamins, because they have action on epithelial regeneration
Methyl b-12: 5000mcg 2x daily
5-MTHF (folate): 1mg 2x daily
What herbal preparation can be helpful for stomatitis and why?
Bee propolis spray acts as a liquid bandage, creating a barrier.
What is cheilitis and what are some causes of it?
Cracking and inflammation of lips and corners of mouth
Caused by infection, allergies, or nutrient deficiencies.
What nutrient deficiencies most often cause cheilitis?
Vitamins B2, B6, folate
What is candidiasis and what symptoms does it cause? Who is commonly affected by this?
Also called thrush, caused by a fungal infection by Candida albicans, catalyzed frequently by antibiotic use.
affects primarily newborns and those with suppressed immune systems.
What are some treatment options for candidiasis?
Probiotics in water, switches several times daily.
Probiotics (1-3 capsules) taken with each meal.
Eliminate sugar rich foods, though not all carbs.
Coconut oil - eat and pull with.
What are effective treatments for cold sores (herpes simplex infection)?
L-Lysine 10,000mg 2x daily
Lemon balm or St. John’s wort tincture/salve made with tincture externally.
Role and parts of pharynx
Transports food between the mouth and esophagus.
Nasopharynx - primarily respiratory functions
Oropharynx and laryngopharynx act as passageway for food, water, air.
Epiglottis covers trachea to prevent food from entering lungs
What causes food to travel down the esophagus?
Peristaltic contractions of two layers of muscles, one circular, one longitudinal
What prevents gastric juices from entering the esophagus from the stomach?
The lower esophageal or cardiac sphincter
List the four layers of the alimentary canal and their functions
Mucosa: contains cells which secrete mucus to protect and lubricate and cells which secrete enzymes for chemical digestion
Submucosa: soft connective tissue containing blood and lymphatic vessels and nerve endings
Muscularis externa: contains two layers of smooth muscle. In the stomach it contains a third layer of oblique muscle
Serosa: composed of a single layer of fluid-producing cells which lubricate the outer surface to reduce friction with abdominopelvic cavity
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly, allowing gastric juices to reach the esophagus
Heartburn that occurs more than twice weekly may be GERD
What are both typical and atypical symptoms of GERD?
Typical: burning sensation in chest, regurgitation of food, chest pain
Atypical: frequent ear infections in adults, asthma (esp in kids), chronic sinusitis, chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, choking sensation at night, excessive salivation, pneumonias
A client comes to you with chronic sinusitis. They are salivating excessively and also have asthma. What may this be caused by?
GERD
What other issues/conditions is GERD closely associated with?
SIBO, dysbiosis, hypochlorhydria
What is the best natural treatment protocol for GERD?
DGL licorice chewables, 4 tablets before meals, 3 x daily while addressing root cause.
What is diffuse esophageal spasms and what are the symptoms?
Caused by uncoordinated contractions of esophageal muscles, causes difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food, very intense chest pains
What is a good protocol option for diffuse esophageal spasms?
Antispasmodics (cramp bark 3-5mL 3x daily)
Magnesium
Address potential food allergies
What are the four functions of the stomach?
Temporary holding area for food
Secretes gastric juices and enzymes to begin chemical digestion of food
Regulates the rate of entry of chyme into the small intestine
Absorbs small amounts of water/substances (alcohol)
Name the four regions of the stomach
Cardiac: surrounds lower esophageal sphincter
Fundus: lateral & slightly superior to cardiac region, serves as holding area
Body: mid portion of stomach
Pylorus: funnel shaped terminal end which empties through pyloric sphincter into the small intestine
How long does it take for stomach to empty following a meal?
Around 4 hours.
What are gastric juices composed of?
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Pepsinogen
Mucus
Which cells secrete HCL? Which secrete pepsinogen?
What do these gastric juices break down?
How does pepsinogen rely on HCl?
Chief cells secrete HCl, parietal cells secrete pepsinogen.
HCl activates pepsinogen into pepsin, which breaks down protein.
HCl breaks down connective tissue.
Endocrine cells in the stomach secrete what hormone and for what purpose?
Gastrin; stimulates gastric gland secretion
The stomach secretes ________ which allows vitamin b12 absorption.
Intrinsic factor
Activity of the stomach is controlled by the _______ nervous system, specifically the _____ nerve.
Parasympathetic; vagus
What are the three phases of gastric juice production?
Cephalic: sensory stimulation stimulates parasympathetic nervous system, which stimulates gastrin release, which stimulates gastric gland activity
Gastric: 2/3 of gastric juices are secreted as food enters stomach and distends stomach walls, which signals stomach to release remaining gastric juices
Intestinal: food enters duodenum. Distention and acidity irritates, stimulating intestinal hormone release which slows gastric juice production until bolus leaves duodenum.
Describe the activity in the Cephalic phase of gastric juice production
sensory stimulation stimulates parasympathetic nervous system, which stimulates gastrin release, which stimulates gastric gland activity
Describe the activity in the gastric phase of gastric juice production.
2/3 of gastric juices are secreted as food enters stomach and distends stomach walls, which signals stomach to release remaining gastric juices
Describe the activity which occurs in the intestinal phase of gastric juice production
food enters duodenum. Distention and acidity irritates, stimulating intestinal hormone release which slows gastric juice production until bolus leaves duodenum.
What is the function of the hormone secretin and where is it released?
Stomach releases secretin to signal pancreas to release bicarbonate in order to neutralize stomach acid. Signals stomach to produce pepsinogen.
What is the function of the hormone CCK and what organ produces it?
Small intestine produces CCK to signal pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. Causes gallbladder to empty.
What is the function of the hormones ghrelin and leptin?
Ghrelin is produced on an empty stomach to stimulate appetite
Leptin is produced in a full stomach to promote satiety
What are commonly shown symptoms in someone with hyperchlorhydria?
Acute, burning, sharp pain
Red tongue
Usually <35 years old
What remedies are appropriate for someone with hyperchlorhydria?
Cooling (peach, meadowsweet) or cooling nervines (catnip)
What are common symptoms in someone with hypochlorhydria
Dull pain usually starting about an hour after eating
Pink/pale tongue
More common >45 years old, but rampant compared to hyperchlorhydria
What are appropriate remedies for someone with hypochlorhydria?
Digestive bitters and pungent herbs (gentian, goldenseal, Angelica, ginger, cinnamon)
Address nutrient deficiencies (chloride, zinc, thiamine)
What are the most frequent causes of hypochlorhydria?
Use of proton pump inhibitors, antihistamines and H-pylori; nutrient deficiencies
Hypochlorhydria will result in (increased/decreased) alkaline phosphatase.
Alkaline phosphatase is dependent on what mineral?
Decreased; zinc
What are symptoms of a Hiatal hernia?
Lessened ability to take “belly breaths,” expansion of the diaphragm
Potential worsening of GERD, may lead to esophageal ulcers.
What three things should be avoided with a hiatal hernia and why?
Caffeine, alcohol, smoking–all three of these create tension in the digestive system.
What is a helpful protocol for someone with a hiatal hernia?
Nervines and antispasmodics (2 drops of lobelia in warm water)
Massage of stomach with dandelion flower essence oil
Breathing exercises
Addressing suppressed anger
Eating small meals
Avoiding food/drink 3 hours before bedtime
What is gastritis and what are the most common causes?
Inflammation of the stomach; often caused by overeating, stress, medications (NSAIDs, steroids), alcohol abuse, microbial infection
What are common symptoms of gastritis?
Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, sometimes diarrhea (most often in cases of self-limiting viral infection)
What protocol would you use for a client with gastritis?
Remove all irritating foods/medications Bland diet of soft foods/liquids Marshmallow powder cold infusion (most antiinflammatory mucilant) Peach tea (cold infusion) Goldenseal Licorice
Esophageal ulcer vs Peptic ulcer vs duodenal ulcer causes
Esophageal: contact with gastric juices, NOT H. pylori
Gastric: 60% h. Pylori, 40 % NSAIDs, alcohol, stress
Duodenal: 90% h. Pylori
Symptoms of peptic ulcer
Loss of appetite Weight loss/gain Gnawing, burning pain Black, tarry stool containing blood Anemia Vomiting blood (coffee grounds) Occasional nausea/vomiting
What is the best course of action for someone with blood in the stool or vomit?
7-14 day course of clarithrymycin and metronidazole with H2 blocker or PPI
What protocol would you recommend for someone with a history of ulcers with no active bleeding?
A bland diet when pain is present
Avoidance of caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes
Avoidance of gas-forming foods and foods high in roughage
Herbs:
Dandelion root tea
Aloe Vera juice w/o leaf
2 Tbsp Marshmallow powder w/ 1 tsp goldenseal powder in water 3x daily
If H pylori is present: clove, neem, goldenseal
_______ is a white, milky substance which is absorbed through the _______ found in villi,
Chyle, lacteals
The pancreas secretes _________ which _________ chyme.
Sodium bicarbonate; neutralizes
What are the pancreatic enzymes and their functions?
Trypsin: breaks protein fragments into amino acids
Amylase: finishes conversion of starches into sugars
Lipase: breaks triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol
What are the three main categories of small in testing pathologies?
Malabsorption
Inflammatory disorders
Infectious diseases
What are symptoms of celiac disease?
Pain/discomfort in the digestive tract, chronic constipation and/or diarrhea, failure to thrive in children, anemia, fatigue.
What percent of people have no intestinal symptoms with celiac disease?
20%
What is leaky gut syndrome?
A condition characterized by increased intestinal permeability, specifically in the small intestine.
What is zonulin and what is its role in leaky gut syndrome?
It is the protein responsible for reducing the effectiveness of tight gap junctions in the intestines, thereby increasing permeability.
What are some symptoms of leaky gut syndrome?
Autoimmune disorders (mostly caused by dysbiosis), pain in multiple joints, chronic allergies, chronic skin conditions, chronic fatigue, chronic depression, malaise, migraines, brain fog, food allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities
What are the two categories of causes of leaky gut syndrome and examples of each?
Direct: medications, diet, infections
Indirect: stress, hormonal, nutrient deficiencies
What are medications with direct and indirect causal links to leaky gut syndrome?
Direct: antibiotics and antacids
Indirect: NSAIDs, steroids
How do thyroid hormones play a role in leaky gut syndrome?
Decreased thyroid hormones results in decreased MMCs
What is SIBO?
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth is a condition where an abnormal amount of bacteria (>100,000/mL) occupy the small intestine
How does SIBO inhibit digestion?
The bacteria in the small intestine inhibit damage the enzymes which break down disaccharides, leaving them undirected to feed bacteria, which produce gases and acids which cause discomfort in the abdomen,
What two things do small intestinal bacteria produce and how do these affect the digestive system?
Methogen: produces constipation, peristalsis inhibiting
Hydrogen: produces IBS symptoms, peristalsis inhibiting
What are some symptoms of SIBO?
Bloating/fullness with or without belching, abdominal pain and cramps, constipation and/or diarrhea, heartburn, GERD, IBS, nausea, malabsorption issues (fat in stool, b12/iron deficiency), leaky gut symptoms
What are some causes of SIBO?
Low HCl production
Poorly functioning MMCs
Ileocecal valve malfunction
What is hypochlorhydria? What are its causes?
Low HCl and pepsinogen production
Caused by h-pylori, antacids, stress, nutrient deficiencies
What are MMCs and what are some causes of their inhibition?
Migrating motor complexes, waves of activity which sweep bacteria into the colon in fasting state.
What are some causes of MMC inhibition?
Anatomical, infection, disease, medications, stress
What is IBS and what is the main cause?
Irritable bowel syndrome, causes alternately tense and relaxed bowel movements. Caused primarily by SIBO.
What are some symptoms of IBS?
Nausea, abdominal pain, cramps, flatulence, altered bowel function, hyper secretion of colonic mucus.
