Gastroenterology is a special discipline that studies the structure, physiology and pathology of the digestive system, as well as issues of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system. Within gastroenterology there are narrower sections: for example, liver and gallbladder diseases are studied by hepatology, pathology of the large intestine and pararectal space – proctology. The state of the endocrine system, the oral cavity, and the presence of infectious agents in the body have a great influence on the normal activity of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
The digestive system includes a set of many organs and glands that provide the nutrients necessary for the body to develop and function. It permeates almost the entire body, starting with the oral cavity and ending with the rectum. Therefore, the pathology of even one of the digestive organs entails a disorder of the functioning of the digestive system as a whole. Modern ecology, stress, new foods and supplements, as well as medications cause the occurrence or exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diseases of the digestive system are so common that every person meets with their manifestations at least once in their life. Among the diseases of the digestive tract, the undisputed leaders are inflammatory processes of its various departments that have an acute or chronic course: inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), stomach (gastritis), duodenum (duodenitis), liver (hepatitis), pancreas (pancreatitis), gallbladder and ducts (cholecystitis and cholangitis), small and large intestines (enteritis and colitis), rectum (proctitis). They, in turn, cause changes in the mucous membrane of organs, their motor function and lead to ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, cholelithiasis, ulcerative colitis. A serious problem of modern society is intestinal dysbiosis, which occurs in the vast majority of people, including newborn children.
Diseases of the stomach, pancreas, intestines often serve as the root cause of many diseases of the skin and metabolism. The symptoms of diseases of the digestive system are very diverse and depend on the affected organ. Common manifestations are impaired appetite, abdominal pain, belching, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, stool disorder, weakness, weight loss.
Modern gastroenterology has great diagnostic capabilities that allow us to recognize diseases of the digestive system already at the early stages of occurrence. Laboratory tests include blood tests, gastric and duodenal juice, feces, intestinal microflora, tissue samples taken during biopsy. X-ray and endoscopic methods (esophagoscopy, colonoscopy, gastroduodenoscopy, etc.) are used to examine the hollow organs of the gastrointestinal tract, ultrasound diagnostics are used for parenchymal. Many chronic diseases of the digestive system, which subsequently require surgical intervention, are caused by neglect or undertreatment of an acute condition. Therefore, the occurrence of any pathological manifestation in the digestive system should serve as a signal to immediately contact a specialist gastroenterologist. In the treatment of diseases of the digestive system, the patient will be required to strictly follow the treatment regimen and diet.
Vitamin D deficiency is a micronutrient deficiency that leads to a violation of phosphorus–calcium metabolism, anti-infective and antitumor immunity, reproductive functions. D-deficiency in children is clinically manifested by rickets, in adults – osteoporosis, osteomalacia, muscle weakness, immunodeficiency, oncological and vascular diseases, reproductive disorders. The confirmatory diagnosis is based on determining the level of micronutrient in…
Dumping syndrome is a pathological condition that develops after gastric resection due to a violation of the neurohumoral regulation of the digestive system. The course of dumping syndrome is characterized by vegetative crises with attacks of dizziness, sweating, palpitations, weakness, the development of dyspeptic phenomena, fainting states. Diagnosis is based on the data of anamnesis,…
Paraduodenal hernia is a protrusion of the intra-abdominal organs into the duodenum-jejunum recess (Treitz pocket). The disease is manifested by periodic abdominal pain a few hours after eating, giving to the lower back, spine and epigastric region; belching, nausea and vomiting, constipation. Unpleasant sensations are intensified in an upright position. Diagnosis is based on the…
Hiatal hernia is a hernial protrusion formed by displacement into the thoracic cavity of anatomical structures that are normally placed under the diaphragm – the abdominal segment of the esophagus, the cardiac part of the stomach, intestinal loops. There is chest pain, heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, hiccups, arrhythmia. Diagnostics involves X-ray examination of the esophagus and stomach,…
Hyposplenism is a temporary or permanent hypofunction of the spleen caused by the absence, atrophy or functional failure of its parenchyma. It is manifested by frequent severe infectious diseases, dyspeptic disorders, in the later stages — skin hyperemia, severe headaches, dizziness, increased blood pressure, asthenia. It is diagnosed taking into account the data of a…
Folate deficiency is a disease characterized by vitamin B9 deficiency caused by its insufficient intake with food, malabsorption or accelerated excretion from the body. The main symptoms are pallor of the mucous membranes, depression, anxiety, high fatigue, insomnia, memory loss, digestive disorders, peeling and redness of the skin, stomatitis, folic deficiency anemia. Pregnant women have…
Vitamin E deficiency is a disease caused by a lack of vitamin E. Pathology develops with insufficient intake of food, impaired absorption from the intestine, transport to tissues. It is characterized by muscle weakness and hypotension, hemolytic anemia, coordination disorders, decreased proprioceptive sensitivity, menstrual cycle changes and decreased potency. The diagnosis is established on the…
Vitamin B6 deficiency is a disease that develops with a deficiency of vitamin B6 in food, a violation of its absorption from the intestine or intensive destruction and excretion from the body. At the initial stage, the symptoms are nonspecific: fatigue, general weakness, distraction, lethargy. With persistent vitamin deficiency, signs of seborrheic dermatitis, stomatitis, glossitis,…
Vitamin B2 deficiency is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B2 in the diet, its insufficient absorption from the intestine or intensive destruction and excretion from the body. It is manifested by seborrheic dermatitis, rough scaly skin, swelling and soreness of the tongue, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, photophobia, redness and swelling of the lips, their…
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a disease caused by an insufficient content of vitamin B12 in the body. It is manifested by anemia, inflammation and burning of the tongue, the formation of redness on the skin, increased fatigue, insomnia, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, stomach upset, weight loss, numbness of fingers and muscle pain. With a prolonged…
