Exploring Digestive System Disorders by Understanding the Gastrointestinal Tract
In order to obtain a thorough understanding of the various disorders that may be experienced in the digestive system, it is vital to properly appreciate the setup of the gastrointestinal tract altogether. By and large, this system of the body is divided into two distinct areas: the upper and the lower gastrointestinal tract. Most people will be familiar with the lower gastrointestinal tract, as it includes the small intestine, the large intestine, and of course the anus.
Those exploring digestive system disorders by understanding the gastrointestinal tract are frequently surprised to learn the upper gastrointestinal tract actually beings with the mouth where the tongue and teeth are vital components of this bodily system; from there, the upper tract portion also includes the esophagus, diaphragm and of course the stomach.
Some digestive system disorders are related to malfunction of organs which contribute to the workings of the gastrointestinal tract without being a part thereof; they include the pancreas and liver, but also the gallbladder. To a much lesser extent, various arterial structures may also be at the root for some problems in that general bodily system, depending on problems that might be experienced within the structure or as a result of problems at other cardiovascular locations in the body which may interfere with the arterial network feeding the gastrointestinal tract.
Thus, when exploring digestive system disorders it is not surprising to hear talk of dental problems that affect not only decay but also malformation of dental structures and sometimes the absence of vital dental formations altogether, which in many cases will have a direct effect on the methodology of the nutritional breakdown of food that is part and parcel of the gastrointestinal tract’s duty. Interestingly, in some cases the illness of the associated organs will also factor in the health and overall workings of the digestive system and in some cases one such illness may be the root cause of digestive system disorders that might not have been anticipated. It would be overly optimistic and absolutely unrealistic to assert that the illness of an associated bodily system does not have the potential of causing, aggravating, or severely worsening digestive system disorders.
It is interesting to note that in several cases it is the human her or himself who is at the root of a cornucopia of some such disorders, not only by the food choices the person might make but also by the choice of over the counter medicines that might be made. Consider for example the availability of the overwhelming array of constipation and diarrhea fighting agents which may be found in any supermarket; their use may relieve the symptoms, but the gastrointestinal upset is not dealt with and a failure to eliminate the cause of the problem may quite possibly lead to a vicious cycle of systemic dependency on external symptom control measures.
In the same vein, the indulgence in fad diets and questionable dietary supplements for the sake of gaining or losing weight wreaks havoc with the lower as well as the upper gastrointestinal tract and should there for be only sparingly utilized.
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