gastrointestinal diseases

Question 1

what is IBS?
what plays a role?
symptoms?
1st rule?

Answer 1

• intestinal problem that doesnt have a clear cause
• abnormal contractions in the intestine, food intolerance, stress
• abdominal pain or cramps, bloating, doarrhea, constipation, gassiness
• check wwith a doctor, there may be sign of other serious disease or disorder

Question 2

nutritional care in IBS

Answer 2

• Eat small, frequent meals. Chew very
  well to help digestion.
• Eat slowly = No air
  swallowing = dec gassy feeling
• Eat plenty of fibers to prevent
  constipation
• Avoid foods that irritate or cause too
  much gas
• Limit substances that make symptoms
  worse: caffeine, alcohol, fat, sugar
  alcohol, fructose etc.
• Drink more fluids to prevent
  constipation
• manage stress and anxiety
• reduce lactose if lactose intolerant
• antacids may make symptoms worse = talk to doctor if already prescribed and pay attention to some supplements

Question 3

definition of constipation
characteristics

Answer 3

difficult or infrequent passage of stool
- difficult: physical discomfort of straining, hard stools, or incomplete evacuation
- infrequent: less stool every 3 days and / or hard stool
- chronic medications, dysmobility disorders, lifestyle: inadequate fiber intake, laxative abuse, physical inactivity, ignoring urge to defecate

Question 4

nutritional care in constipation

Answer 4

• increase fiber rich foods: cooked mloukhiye, fruits with the skin, bran containing cereals, whole wheat bread, legumes, cooked spinach
• 8 cups of water /day
• never delay going to the bathroom
  -increase physical activity = maintains muscle tone of GI tract
  limit caffeine containing beverages

Question 5

diarrhea:

Answer 5

Frequent evacuation of liquid stools,
usually exceeding 300 mL + an excessive
loss of fluid and electrolytes, especially
sodium and potassium

Question 6

causes of diarrhea

Answer 6

• inlammatory diseases
• medications
• viral, fungal, or bacterial infections
• overconsumption of sugars or other osmotic substances
• insufficient or damaged mucosal absorptive surface

Question 7

first step in nutritional care in diarrhea

Answer 7

replace all necessary fluids and electrolytes from ORS, soups and broths, vegetable juice, isotonic fluids
avoid lactose, fructose, sugar alcohols, large amount of sucrose may worsen osmotic diarrhea
- modest intake of prebiotic components and soluble fibers (pectins, gums) slows transit thru GI

Question 8

how do soluble fibers help in diarrhea?

Answer 8

soluble fibers fermented in the colon by bacterias = production of short chain fatty acids
–> substrates for colon cells –> facilitate absorption of fluid and salts, help regulate GI motility

Question 9

what is also useful in diarrhea management

Answer 9

micronutrient replacement, it accelerates the normal regeneration of the damaged mucosal cells.

Question 10

what are prebiotics

Answer 10

nondigestible substnces in food that promote the growth of normal healthy bacteria already in the colon.
sources: dietary fibers, starch, sugar alcohols

Question 11

probiotics

Answer 11

Probiotics: are active
cultures, such as some
strains of lactic acid
bacteria, or foods rhat
contain them, that help
reintroduce or change
bacteria in the
intestine.
i.e: Lactobacilli and
bifidobacteria in yogurt.

Question 12

how do probiotic cultures help

Answer 12

1. decrease the risk of some cancers
2. shorten duration of diarrhea
3. decrease symptoms of lactose intolerance
4. prevent allergy symptoms
5. decrease IBS symptoms

Question 13

what is heartburn?

Answer 13

main symptom of reflux

Question 14

what happens in reflux disease?

Answer 14

stomach contents flow backward to the esophagus –> feeling pain like ulcer, heartburn, trouble swallowing, regurgitating stomach acid.

Question 15

what are the factors associated with acid reflux?

Answer 15

• pregnancy
• hiatal hernia
• abdominal pressure from obesity

Question 16

nutritional care in gastric reflux

Answer 16

limit foods that irritate the esophagus or that cause reflux: citrus juice, tomato products, carbonated beverages, chocolate, coffee (cafeine or without caffeine), mint , alcoholic drinks
- limit high fat foods
- lose weight if overweight /obese
- limit large meals
- eat small more frequent meals
- sleep with head propped up on pillow
- eat at least 2 - 3 hours before bedtime
- wear loose fitting clothes - dont put pressure on abdomen

Question 17

how are people with food intolerance affected?

Answer 17

for metabolic reasons, people with food intolerance cant digest certain foods or food components