9.7 - Health Issues Related to the Digestive System and Eating Habits

Effects of Modifying Digestive Organs

Gastric Bypass

• Gastric bypass reduces stomach size through surgery and bypasses part of the stomach and duodenum.
• Short-term effects: Acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, expanded oesophagus, food restrictions and infection risk.
• Long-term effects: Dizziness, low blood glucose, malnutrition, stomach ulcer and defaecation problems.

Health Issues Related to Defaecation

• A high-fibre diet smoothens bowel movement and helps prevent constipation, colon cancer, rectal cancer and haemorrhoids.
• Fibre:
  • Stimulates peristalsis.
  • Absorbs and expels toxic substances.
  • Regulates glucose absorption, especially for diabetes mellitus patients.
  • Increases beneficial bacteria in the large intestine.
• High water intake keeps faeces soft and helps it move through the large intestine.

Health Issues Related to Eating Habits

Gastritis

• Inflammation and corrosion of the stomach epithelial layer by gastric juice when the stomach is empty.
• Causes include irregular quantities of food at irregular hours and excessive alcohol or painkiller intake.
• Untreated gastritis can cause gastric ulcers.

Anorexia Nervosa

• Obsession with body weight leads a person to avoid food.
• Psychological problems and nutrient deficiency affect the digestive system.

Bulimia Nervosa

• A person overeats, then vomits or takes laxatives that cause diarrhoea to control body weight.
• Long-term effects include dehydration, nutritional problems, cardiovascular disease and kidney failure.

Muscle Dysmorphia

• A person believes their body is too small or insufficiently muscular.
• Extreme weightlifting and exercise may be accompanied by steroid or muscle-building supplement intake.