Health Information
Facts About the Gastrointestinal System
Symptoms and complaints involving the digestive tract are some of
the most common reasons patients take over-the-counter medications,
prescription medications, or seek the advice of a physician.
Gastroenterologists, or "GIs", are medical specialists with
extensive training in diseases of the digestive tract. GIs can
answer questions, order or perform tests to make a diagnosis and
prescribe the best course of treatment to provide relief and restore
you to good health.
The digestive system supports the human body. Our bodies are
composed of a series of organs that break down and absorb the food
we eat so that the nutrients can be transported in the blood stream
and delivered throughout the body. "Good" digestive health indicates
an ability to process nutrients through properly functioning
gastrointestinal organs, which include esophagus, stomach,
intestine, liver, pancreas and gallbladder.
Most individuals experience good digestive health; however, should
you experience symptoms such as heartburn, gas, constipation,
diarrhea, nausea, unusual weight loss, and abdominal or stomach
pain, please contact your primary care physician who will determine
the appropriate course of action.
Colon cancer is the second most common form of cancer in America.
Millions of Americans suffer from digestive diseases such as colon
cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease. These
conditions profoundly affect both the health and overall quality of
life of those afflicted and their families. From the mundane to the
profound, our gastrointestinal system is a system of body organs,
which if improperly functioning can lead to serious, if not life
threatening consequences. The NIH (National Institute of Health)recommends that all adults aged 50
and over, have a screening colonoscopy to eliminate the possibility
of polyps or other hidden problem.
For additional details about the gastrointestinal system please
visit The American College of Gastroenterology at
www.acg.gi.org
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