Nutrition and the Digestive System 393
Common Disease, Disorder, or ConditionDisorders of The Digestive SystemHepatitis^
Hepatitis (hep-ah-TYE-tis) is an inflammation of the liver caused by excessive -alcohol
con-sumption or by a virus infection. If not treated, liver cells die and are replaced- by
scar tissue. This results in liver failure and death can result. Hepatitis A is caused by the
hepatitis A virus (HAV) and is known as infectious hepatitis. It is contracted through
contact with fecally contaminated water or food like raw oysters or clams that are filter
feeders. Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is known as serum
hepatitis and is transmitted by contaminated serum in blood transfusions, by contami-
nated needles, or by sexual contact with an infected individual. Vaccines are available
for immunization. Infected individuals experience nausea, -fever, loss of appetite, ab-
dominal pain, and a yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes called jaundice. Jaun-
dice is due to the accumulation of bile pigment in the skin. Viral hepatitis is the second
most frequently contracted infectious disease in the United States.
Cirrhosis^
Cirrhosis (sih-ROH-sis) is a long-term degenerative disease of the liver in which the
lobes are covered with fibrous connective tissue. The parenchyma of the liver de-
generates and the lobules are filled with fat. Blood flow through the liver is ob-structed.
Cirrhosis is most commonly the result of chronic alcohol abuse. Recovery is very slow
but the liver can regenerate and treatment depends on the cause.
Gallstones^
Gallstones affect about 20% of the population over 40 years of age and is more prev-
alent in women than men. Cholesterol is secreted by the liver into the bile. When the
cholesterol precipitates in the gallbladder, it produces gallstones. If a stone leaves the
gallbladder and gets caught in the bile duct, it will block the release of bile and interfere
with normal digestion (Figure 16-15). Under these conditions, the patient will complain
of unlocalized abdominal discomfort, intolerance to certain foods, and frequent belching.
Usually, the gallbladder has to be removed surgically to remove the buildup of
gallstones.
Appendicitis^
Appendicitis (ap-pin-dih-SIGH-tis) is an inflammation of the vermiform appendix
caused by an obstruction. Obstructions can be a hard mass of feces, a foreign body in
the lumen of the appendix, an adhesion, or a parasitic infection. Secretions from the
appendix cannot get past the obstruction. They accumulate and cause enlarge-ment
and pain. Bacteria in the area cause infection. If the appendix bursts, the bac-terial
infection will spread throughout the peritoneal cavity, resulting in peritonitis and possible
death. Appendicitis is more common in teenagers and young adults and is more
frequent in males.
Crohn’s Disease^
Crohn’s disease (KROHNZ dih-ZEEZ) is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease of un-
known origin. It usually affects the ileum, the colon, or another part of the gas-
trointestinal tract. Diseased segments are usually separated from normal bowel
segments, giving the characteristic appearance of regional enteritis or skip lesions.