Digestion of food is obviously important for nutritional and energy requirements, but it is also part
of culture and human bonding.
A quick summary on the digestive process
The gastro-intestinal tract is unique and specialised. The regions involved with digestion are the teeth, mouth and oesophagus (linking the mouth to the stomach), the small intestine, the large intestine and rectum. The liver produces bile, which helps to break down fat, into the gall bladder and this joins the pancreas via a duct that empties into the upper small intestine, just past the stomach. The liver
produces other chemicals that aid digestion and these may be measured in the blood as part of ‘liver function tests’. The secretions from the pancreas are vital and they chemically react directly with food
to make it suitable for absorption. The pancreas also helps stabilise blood glucose levels. Digestion
is a complicated process!
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Common problems with digestion & how to manage them well.
Reflux/Heartburn
The stomach is a muscular bag with muscle like purse strings at both ends which stop the contents escaping upwards into the oesophagus, or downwards into the upper small bowel (duodenum). If the upper muscle is damaged, or relaxes when it shouldn’t, ‘oesophageal reflux’ (also known as ‘acid reflux’ or ‘heartburn’) may occur.
This may be a painful, chronic and serious problem, as scarring may occur and contribute to more reflux. If symptoms are persistent, the condition is best diagnosed by looking inside (endoscopy) as a day stay procedure and prescription medication is usually needed. It is very useful to use an antacid as a barrier during attacks of reflux discomfort.
Management tips
- Do not eat or drink within 2 hours of lying down.
- Avoid coffee and alcohol.
- Avoid fatty foods.
- Eat smaller. more frequesnt meals.
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Stomach ulcers are common and the risk factors for them include persistent excessive consumption
of alcohol, family history, irregular eating habits, smoking, anti-inflammatory tablets and Heliobacter
Pylori (a bacterium that is thought to cause irritation of the stomach).
It is important to confirm a diagnosis of a stomach ulcer as complications may occur. Ulcers are
treated with prescription medication and antacids. If present, Heliobacter Pylori will need to be treated
with a combination of several prescription medicines. Symptoms are also helped by eating regularly, avoiding coffee, strongly acidic foods and alcohol, and by not smoking. Antacids are available from the pharmacy
and are very helpful in treating discomfort.
Management tips
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Eat smaller meals more regularly. .
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Avoid coffee and alcohol.
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Avoid strongly acidic foods.
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Stop smoking.
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Antacids avalable from the pharmacy are helpful in treating discomfort.
The Pancreas and Gall Bladder
The gall bladder and pancreas empty into the upper small intestine via a duct which may become
blocked by a gallstone. This may result in the pancreas becoming irritated by its own secretions, a
condition known as ‘Pancreatitis’. Gallstones are extremely common and usually cause no problems,
but sometimes the gall bladder is blocked by them or becomes infected, causing typical right sided
gall bladder pain in the abdomen, this can be quite painful and medical treatment should be sought.
Management tips
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Consume a diet low in saturated fat.
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Do not consume more than 2 standard drinks per day.
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Drink at least 1.5L of water per day.
Malabsorption Syndrome
The intestines are very long, and their surface area is huge in order to maximise the absorption of
partially digested food. The small intestine absorbs many vitamins and nutrients and if certain parts
of it are diseased, malabsorption may occur. This may result in vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, for
example, Vitamin B12 deficiency. The large intestine absorbs water from food and helps form the
waste together as faeces. In order to improve malabsorption syndrome, the health of the bowel needs
to improve. Speak to your GP for more advice.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is usually a condition someone has had off and on for many years, often since they were young
adults. Although the condition is harmless, the muscles of the intestine (and often also of the
oesophagus and stomach and anus) react to stress by contracting irregularly and without normal co-ordination. This causes spasmodic pains, bloating, reflux, mild nausea and often constipation
alternating with diarrhoea. With time, many patients will recognise their individual pattern of
discomfort If symptoms are severe, medical opinion is wise, just in case there is another cause. This
is especially important for older patients.
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis is a condition where out-pouches form from the lining of the bowel and poke in between weaknesses in the intestine’s muscle layers. If they become infected, the condition is referred to as ‘diverticulitis’.
Diverticulosis is very common in older people and is rare in the young. In fact, 50% of people over 70
years of age have them, often with no symptoms at all. If symptoms do occur, it is usually because of irritation and infection, which may be associated with fibrous foods becoming caught inside the
pouches. People who have diverticulitis or diverticulosis should avoid nuts, whole grains, peas, fruit
pips and raw carrot as these things may become caught in the pouches.
Management tips
Constipation
Constipation is an easily treatable condition that occurs when there is a hardening of the stool making it difficult to pass. Fibre supplements are an easy and usually very effective treatment for constipation and are readily available from the pharmacy. These will bulk the stool and make it easier to pass. Products that actually change and stimulate the bowel muscles such as Senna are very effective for acute and the more extreme forms of constipation (such as constipation caused by certain medications), however should not be used on an ongoing basis.
You should see your doctor if you have new onset of constipation which is persisting, as this can be due to serious illness.
Management tips
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© Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Limited 2006
Produced by API, 11 Grand Avenue, Camellia NSW 2142 ABN 57 000 004 320
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort has been made and all reasonable care taken to ensure the accuracy of the
information contained in this booklet, to the extent permitted by API, their agents and employees:
a. will not be held liable or responsible in any way; and
b. expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any loss (including, without limitation, any
injury, claim, suit, damage, cost and expense) arising out of or incurred in connection with any
reliance on the contents of this booklet by any person and irrespective of whether such loss
arises out of API’s negligence or otherwise.
