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Conducting a comprehensive examination of the digestive system is one of the most important diagnostic methods in cases of chronic symptoms of the digestive system, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and persistent stomach pain. Therefore, in this article, we will talk in more detail about the digestive system, its components, its importance, diseases of the digestive system, methods of diagnosing them, and
A comprehensive examination of the digestive system
The digestive system, or the alimentary canal, as some doctors call it, is a group of organs and structures responsible for nutrition and energy, starting from eating food through the process of digesting food and converting it into a simple form that can be absorbed through the bloodstream, until it ends up removing waste from the body.
The digestion process begins with eating and chewing food through the teeth, partial digestion of sugars and starches through saliva, then the food goes down to the stomach and intestines to complete the digestion process and transform large food particles into small, easy-to-absorb particles, then the stage of expelling waste from the anus through the rectum.
Components of the digestive system
A comprehensive examination of the digestive system
- The mouth
- Pharynx
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Pancreas
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Colon
- Rectum
- Anus
The role and importance of the digestive system
The digestive system works as a single unit to digest food and produce the energy that the body needs, so each of its organs plays an important role in the digestion process as follows:
The mouth
It is the first organ of the digestive system, responsible for chewing food, partially digesting it and turning it into small parts that can be easily swallowed, in addition to completing the digestion process in the intestine.
Pharynx
It is a common passage for air and food, and a connecting channel between the mouth and esophagus.
Esophagus
It is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx and the stomach, through which food is transported by peristaltic movement, which is a group of contractions that help swallow food in the form of small particles until it reaches the stomach.
Stomach
It is a strong muscular bag that works to mix food and break it down into small particles by secreting acidsEnzymes Which partially digests the protein before moving it to the small intestine, and the food inside the stomach turns into a cohesive viscous liquid that moves to the small intestine.
Small intestine
It is a long coiled tube up to 20 feet long, consisting of 3 main parts: the ileum, jejunum and duodenum. It is characterized by peristaltic movement to complete the digestion of food through enzymes secreted by the pancreas and bile produced by the liver.
Pancreatic enzymes complete the digestion of proteins, while bile digests fats. After the digestion process is completed, food is absorbed through the ileum and jejunum into the blood vessels until it reaches the body’s cells through the vessels and capillaries.
Large intestine
It consists of the rectum, colon, and cecum, and is 1.5 meters long.
The colon absorbs water, salts, and vitamins from undigested food, then pushes them into the rectum.
Inside the cecum there is a group of warnings that work to transform food waste into the solid form that exits it from the anus.
The rectum is the storehouse for stool. It is pushed into it after it turns into a solid state, and then it is excreted through contraction and relaxation with the help of nerve impulses during defecation through the anus.
Anus
It is an opening at the end of the digestive system, through which gaseous, liquid and solid wastes pass. It works under the control of a group of pelvic muscles and two anal muscles.
Digestive system accessories
The liver, pancreas, and salivary glands are appendages of the digestive canal due to their essential role in the process of digesting food as follows:
Liver: It secretes and produces bile, which is responsible for purifying the blood transported from the small intestine to the large intestine.
It secretes enzymes that help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Salivary glands: Secretion of saliva that helps chew food in the mouth, facilitates the swallowing process, and partially digests starches.
A comprehensive examination of the digestive system
There is a large group of diseases of the digestive system that affect its function and affect its various organs. Therefore, if the patient suffers from digestive system symptoms, he must undergo a comprehensive examination of the digestive system. The most common diseases of the digestive system are:
- Colon cancer or colon polyps.
- Gastritis.
- Lactose intolerance.
- Hepatitis.
- Gallbladder stones.
- Short bowel syndrome.
- Appendicitis.
- Malabsorption syndrome.
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.
- Crohn’s disease
- Peptic ulcer
- Anal Fissures
- Diverticulosis
- Anal fistula
- Hemorrhoids
- Functional Dyspepsia
- Constipation
- Esophageal reflux
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Germ stomach.
- Diarrhea
Tips to improve gut health
1–Avoid stress
Stress has negative effects on intestinal health, especially in people with irritable Bowel syndrome, so it is recommended to avoid psychological stress as much as possible, and try to control it by practicing meditation and relaxation exercises, such as yoga and deep breathing, and drinking herbal drinks that soothe the nerves, such as chamomile tea.
2 .Good sleep
You must get enough sleep daily, ranging from 6 to 8 hours every night, because staying up late is one of the wrong habits that negatively affects intestinal health.
3. Eat slowly
It is necessary to eat daily meals slowly, to ensure that the food is well chewed, and then the stomach and intestines do not face any difficulties in digesting and absorbing it
4 . Drink water
In a 2022 study, researchers found that people who drink plenty of water daily have fewer bacteria that cause gastrointestinal infections.
Drinking water also helps improve bowel movement and facilitate digestion and excretion, which reduces the risk of constipation.
5-Take probiotics
Probiotic supplements play a major role in enhancing digestive health, thanks to their effective role in maintaining bacterial balance in the intestines, in addition to their ability to strengthen the immune system.
Probiotics are found naturally in many foods, such as yogurt.
6- Reducing sugars and fats
To maintain intestinal health, foods rich in sugars and fats should be reduced, because excessive amounts of them put great pressure on the digestive system.
7- Eat foods rich in fiber
Fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains, are of great importance for intestinal health, because they contribute to improving bowel movement.
8- Eat garlic
When researchers tested garlic on a group of mice in a 2019 study, they noticed that it contributed to increasing the diversity between good and bad bacteria in their intestines.
9- Eat foods fortified with collagen
Collagen not only helps promote skin health, but also contributes to improving intestinal health, so doctors recommend eating foods that stimulate the body to produce it, such as bone soup, citrus fruits, broccoli, nuts, and eggs.
