What is the gastrointestinal tract?
Your gastrointestinal tract encompasses your mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, the liver and the pancreas. Essentially, every element that goes into the digestion process is grouped under the umbrella term of gastrointestinal tract. From chewing with your mouth to the breaking down of food into proteins, carbohydrates and so on in your stomach and even when what you eat is further broken down into amino acids and sugars, all of these are considered to be functions of your gastrointestinal tract.
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Gastrointestinal Health Concerns
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling people feel in their oesophagus, just behind the breastbone. Heartburn is most commonly associated with gastric acid being regurgitated and the pain associated is usually felt in the chest, sometimes spreading up to the neck, throat and lower jaw. The name is misleading, as heartburn doesn’t have anything to do with the heart. It’s called heartburn because the pain is felt near to where the heart is located.
What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when stomach acids do not remain within the confines of your stomach and move into the area surrounding your oesophagus. The passage way through which everything you eat or drink enters your stomach is called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). Ideally, the minute all of your food has passed through this ring like muscle; it closes up, allowing your food to begin its digestion process.
What are Stomach Ulcers?
A stomach ulcer (or gastric ulcer) is a form of a peptic ulcer which occurs when the tissue lining that protects the stomach erodes.
Stomach ulcers can affect both men and women although it is more prevalent in those appearing in a higher age bracket. People who rely heavily on drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen are particularly prone.
What is Flatulence?
Flatulence is a by-product of digestion and it happens in all mammals as well as a range of other animals. Flatulence is an expulsion of a mixture of gases known as flatus through the rectum and is most commonly known as a fart. On average, people pass gas up to 14 times a day. The noise associated with flatulence is usually caused by the anal sphincter vibrating, in a similar way that our vocal chords produce sound. It can also sometimes be caused by a closed buttock. Some people suffer from excessive flatulence. Among other things, this can be caused by certain foods, smoking, lactose intolerance, a high amount of bacteria in the colon or swallowing too much air. Feeling bloated is one of the most common precursors to flatulence and as such, many people find discomfort in their lower abdomen prior to passing gas.
