Nutrition and Digestion Flashcards
1
Q
Diarrhoea
A
- Frequent watery bowel movements.
- Usually caused by bacterial, viral or protozoan infection.
- Can be fatal, especially in aids patients.
- Mucosa can’t maintain normal levels of electrolytes.
2
Q
Diverticulitis
A
- Small hernias or pouches in the large intestine.
- Frequently in the sigmoid colon.
- Risk increases with age.
- Thought to be because of lack of fibre.
- Caused by pressure on the colon.
- Inflamed hernias cause diverticulitis. If the hernias burst and leak into the peritoneal cavity, it can be life-threatening.
3
Q
Constipation
A
- Can be caused by lack of fibre, fluids, or exercise.
- Dehydration causes excessively dry faeces which are difficult and painful to excrete.
- Opioid analgesics ad antipsychotics can cause constipation.
- Constipation can cause confusion and aggression, particularly in the elderly.
4
Q
Diabetes Mellitus Type II
A
- Linked with obesity
- High blood glucose as the glucose isn’t transported into the cells for metabolic use
- Because the body can’t use glucose for energy, it metabolises fat.
- This produces ketones, which lower pH. Ketones are breathed out and excreted in urine. Smells like acetone
5
Q
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
A
- Gastroesophageal sphincter (aka cardiac sphincter) is reinforced by the diaphragm.
- Pressure on the diaphragm opens the gastroesophageal sphincter and allows gastric juices into the oesophagus, causing heartburn.
- Caused by obesity, pregnancy, and sometimes running.
- Treated with antacids or weight loss.
6
Q
Factors affecting nutrition
A
- Lifestyle
- Growth
- Gender
- Culture
- Religion
- Preferences
- Medications
- Psychology
- Mental Illness
7
Q
Glycaemic index (GI)
A
- The rate of digestion and absorption of carbohydrates , from 0 - 100.
- High GI foods - rapid digestion and absorption, causes fluctuations in blood glucose.
- Low GI foods - slow digestion and absorption. Better for health.
8
Q
Types of therapeutic diets
A
- Liquid diets
- Soft diets
- Bland diets (no meats. Prevents excess HCl production)
- Diabetic
- Lactose free
- Low sodium for hypertension
- High fibre for constipation
- Medication related
9
Q
Bacterial Flora
A
- In the large intestine
- Ferment indigestible carbohydrates such as cellulose, producing fatty acids and gas - flatulence
- Also synthesise Vits B and K
10
Q
The Intrinsic Factor
A
- Produced by the parietal cells in the stomach linin.
- Moves into the Ilium of the small intestine, where it allows the absorption of Vit B12, which will NOT be absorbed without the Intrinsic Factor.
- B12 is essential for healthy red blood cells
- People without the Intrinsic Factor and no B12 develop Pernicious Anaemia.
11
Q
Basal Metabolic Rate
A
The energy the body needs for essential activities while awake, at rest.
12
Q
Factors affecting Basal Metabolic Rate
A
- Body size and gender
- Body fat
- Hormone and nervous controls
- Infection / Illness
- Fasting
- Drugs
13
Q
The five categories of nutrients
A
Macronutrients (for growth, maintenance, repair, energy)
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
Micronutrients (co-enzymes, needed to metabolise macronutrients)
- vitamins
- minerals
14
Q
What are nutrients
A
- chemical substances from te diet
- essential nutrients are those the body can’t synthesise
- essential for good health
- used for growth, maintenance, energy and repair
- metabolised to produce ATP
15
Q
What is nutrition?
A
The sum of all interactions between the body and the food it consumes