Digestive Tract

The digestive tract is a part of a larger human body system called the digestive system. It is actually a very long hollow tube that starts from the mouth and ends in the anus. It measures about 9 meters when taken from a cadaver. However, in a live person, the tract measures much shorter because smooth muscles in the digestive tract wall are in a state of partial contraction.

All of the digestive processes occur in this part of the digestive system. Other organs of the digestive system such as the liver, pancreas and salivary glands help to make digestion of food particles easier.

The digestive tract is subdivided into different portions and each of which have different functions. The tract is composed of the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and the anus.

To learn more about the functions of the digestive system, please visit our Digestive System page.

Image Credit: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

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Reflux Disease in Infants

Reflux disease, also called gastroesophageal reflux (GER), is a digestive disorder that can occur in infants. This infantile reflux disease occurs when stomach contents including acid, back up or reflux into the esophagus—the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.

Normally, a ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach called lower esophageal sphincter (LES) prevents reflux of stomach contents. However, in infants, the LES can also normally open to allow gas to pass after meals. Stomach contents may also reflux when the LES is open, resulting in regurgitation, or spitting up, or vomiting. It can also occur when babies cough, cry or strain.

Symptoms

Gastroesophageal reflux is common in infants. Studies have shown that more than half of all infants experience reflux in the first 3 months of life. However, most of them stop spitting up within 2 years. In most cases, the symptoms of GER in babies are mild and do not lead to severe complications. A small number of infants have severe symptoms leading to complications. Infants with reflux disease may experience

 spitting up
 vomiting
 coughing
 irritability
 poor feeding
 blood in the stools

You should seek consultation with a qualified healthcare provider if you notice the following symptoms on your baby:

 poor growth due to an inability to hold down enough food
 irritability or refusing to feed due to pain
 blood loss from acid burning the esophagus
 breathing problems

These symptoms can be caused by other health problems other than GER.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the symptoms and age of the infant. In some cases, treatment may not be necessary as the disease often resolves by itself. Changes in feeding habits may also help, such as giving the infant smaller quantities with more frequent feedings.

In some cases, medications may be recommended by the doctor. Rarely, severe cases may require surgery.

Related Topic: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Source: Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants (August 2006). Retrieved on March 2, 2010, from http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerdinfant/index.htm

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Whipple’s Disease Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Whipple’s disease is a rare form of bacterial infection usually affecting the small intestine. In some cases, it can also affect other organs, such as the heart, lungs, brain, joints and eyes. Although anyone can get the disease, middle-aged male Caucasians are commonly affected with the condition. Whipple’s disease can be fatal when left untreated.

Cause

Whipple’s disease is caused by the bacteria, Tropheryma whipplei (T. whipplei). Infection with the bacteria can cause internal sores, also called lesions, and the thickening of tissues. Villi in the small intestine take on an abnormal, clublike appearance. Villi are small fingerlike projections on the inner lining of the small intestine. Because the intestinal lining is already damaged, the small intestine is unable to absorb nutrients properly, which can cause diarrhea and malnutrition.

Symptoms

Classic symptoms of Whipple’s disease include:

 joint pain

 chronic (long-term) diarrhea

 weight loss

 abdominal pain and bloating

 fever

 fatigue

 anemia

Joint pain in Whipple’s disease may persist for years, with or without inflammation, before the appearance of other symptoms.

Other less common symptoms may include darkening of the skin, enlargement of the lymph nodes, chronic cough, chest pain, pericarditis—the inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart and heart failure.

In some people with Whipple’s disease, nervous system problems may occur including

 eye (vision) problems

 dementia

 facial numbness

 headache

 muscle weakness or twitching

 difficulty walking

 memory problems

Diagnosis

Whipple’s disease is diagnosed through a careful evaluation of symptoms, endoscopy, and biopsy with tissue staining. The doctor, to confirm the diagnosis, would recommend testing procedures, such as electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Electron microscopy is used to view T. whipplei bacteria inside infected cells in the tissue taken through biopsy. An electron microscope has a higher resolution than the regular light microscope. T. whipplei have a unique appearance easily identified by experienced laboratories.

PCR testing can detect and identify extremely low levels of bacterial DNA in tissues and body fluids. The presence of T. whipplei DNA in cerebrospinal fluid is an indication of neurologic Whipple’s disease. PCR testing for Whipple’s disease is relatively new; therefore, results should be supported by PAS staining or electron microscopy.

Treatment

Because the cause of Whipple’s disease is a type of bacteria, it is commonly treated with antibiotics. Treatment may involve long-term antibiotic therapy, which can kill T. whipplei bacteria.

After treatment, the likely outcome for most people with Whipple’s disease is good.

Source: Whipple’s Disease (August 2009). Retrieved on March 1, 2010, from http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/whipple/index.htm.

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