Digestive system diseases are a problem that can be seen in people at almost every age. Even a newborn baby can experience different digestive disorders such as diarrhea or constipation. When digestive system diseases occur, they directly cause different symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation in people. These symptoms directly suggest that there is a problem in people. But today, diarrhea and constipation are not perceived as a very serious disorder. For this reason, a person with a problem such as diarrhea and constipation waits for the problem to get better without going to the doctor.
Actually, this is extremely wrong. Because a simple diarrhea problem or constipation problem can actually turn out to be a very serious digestive system disease. Digestive system diseases are numerous. So there is more than one digestive system disease. Different types of digestive system diseases have different symptoms. The digestive system is also important for general health in terms of protecting and improving our health. Because the foods we consume must be digested and absorbed from the intestines in a healthy way in order to be used by our body. Many underestimated digestive system diseases negatively affect our health in the future.
People experience difficulties in chewing and swallowing in cases such as various oral diseases, tooth decay, salivary gland diseases, and wounds in the mouth. If the process is prolonged, negative situations such as weight loss, weakness and fatigue may occur due to insufficient food intake and failure to meet nutritional needs. The individual nutritional needs of a person in this situation should be calculated and their needs should be met with appropriate nutrients or nutritional supplements. Medical nutrition therapy should also be applied in esophageal diseases. In gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is very common in our country, a nutrition program tailored to the disease and the individual; It reduces the frequency of a person's reflux and helps prevent other disorders caused by the disease. Situations such as malnutrition, loss of appetite and weight loss can be prevented, and at the same time, the risk of digestive system cancers is reduced. The most common diseases of the digestive system are; diarrhea and constipation. Diarrhea; While it may occur as a result of infection, it may also occur in some malabsorption diseases such as celiac, in people with food allergies and nutritional deficiency. With diarrhea, water and mineral loss from the body is intense. Loss of appetite and weight loss are also among the negative effects of diarrhea. Disease-specific nutritional treatment should be applied to end diarrhea in the short term and to meet the body's fluid and mineral needs. The most common causes of constipation are; wrong diet and lack of physical activity. It is important to prevent constipation that occurs due to these reasons with a personalized nutrition program in accordance with the principles of healthy nutrition. is the disease. It is generally seen in young adults and middle age groups. The exact cause of the disease is unknown. The disease generally has a chronic course. However, sometimes it causes severe acute attacks. It may show symptoms such as rectal bleeding, persistent diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, fever, weakness and restlessness
Nutrition Therapy Considering the individual's condition and findings, a diet high in energy, abundant in protein (15% of energy) 20), should be low in fiber, low in fat and rich in vitamins and minerals. Small and frequent feedings are recommended. If a person has milk intolerance, milk should be excluded from the diet and consumption of yoghurt may be recommended instead. As a type of fat, medium chain fatty acids have positive effects, and n-3 fatty acids are known to positively affect the immune system. For this reason, patients are recommended to consume fish.
CROHN'S DISEASE (REGIONAL ENTERITIS)
Crohn's disease is a chronic infectious disease that can affect the gastrointestinal system from the mouth to the anus. It is a disease. In the majority of patients, chronic diarrhea, steatorrhea (oily stool), loss of appetite, fever, abdominal pain and bloating, gas, anemia, melena (blood in the stool), fatigue and joint disorders may be observed. Decreased food consumption, Malnutrition may occur due to increased need, decreased absorption and loss of protein, fluid and electrolytes from the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, if there is colon involvement, electrolyte deficiency may occur. If the distal ileum is involved, malabsorption of bile salts, fat and fat-soluble vitamins may occur. If the ileum has lost more than 90 cm of function, vitamin B12 malabsorption may occur.
Nutrition Therapy In the acute phase of the disease, it is important to compensate for fluid and electrolyte loss. In the later period, total parenteral and/or enteral support is applied to rest the intestines and ensure adequate and balanced nutrition of the individual. Once the patient's symptoms begin to improve, oral feeding is started. As a dietary principle, it is high in energy, abundant in protein, low in fiber, low in fat (MCT: rich in medium chain fatty acids), rich in vitamins and minerals (especially vitamins A, D, E, K; B1, B2, B12, folic acid, selenium). A nutrition program is prepared. In some patients, wheat, corn, rice, citrus fruits and milk and its products are reported to increase symptoms. Therefore, it must be given to the patient after trial. In addition, the consumption of bitter, spices, alcohol, strong tea, coffee, very hot and very cold foods, and raw vegetables and fruits should be avoided.
IRRITABLE BOWEL (SPASTIC COLON) SYNDROME (IBS). )
IBS is a condition that does not go away or recurs intermittently, in which abdominal pain, gas, and changes in defecation habits occur in the large intestine. Although there is no defect in the structure of the intestine, its functioning is impaired. There are irregular movements in the large intestine. In addition to very severe contractions, sometimes there may be a slowdown in bowel movements. All these changes cause defecation disorders and abdominal pain. IBS; Changes in bowel habits may occur in the form of persistent or recurring diarrhea, constipation, or both, occurring one after another. /> Gender, age, emotional problems and stress, food sensitivity, some diseases and medications affect the frequency of the disease. Although the disease is seen at all ages, it is between the ages of 13 and 49. is also more frequent. It is very rare in people over the age of 50. Some foods (alcohol, coffee, some spices, some fruits and vegetables, milk) can cause disruption of intestinal activity. Nutrition Therapy Energy and other nutrients are given according to the patient's needs. Dietary fat may cause increased bowel movements in some individuals. Therefore it may need to be reduced. If the patient has diarrhea, a low fiber diet is added; if there is constipation, a high fiber diet; if both diarrhea and constipation are observed, 20 grams of bran per day is added in addition to the low fiber diet. Small and frequent feedings are recommended. Gas-causing foods (cabbage, radishes, legumes), carbonated drinks, alcohol, caffeine-containing drinks/foods, and hot spices should not be given. Raw vegetables, fruits and milk should be given in a controlled manner as they increase the symptoms in some patients.
DIVERTICULAR COLON DISEASE
They are pockets extending outwards from the colon wall. Its common occurrence is called divertuculosis. Obesity, low-fiber diet consumption, old age, degeneration of the colon muscles and bacterial infections may be the cause of diverticula. Nutrition Therapy: In the treatment of diverticula, heavy exercises that change intra-abdominal pressure, vomiting should be avoided and if the patient is obese, ideal body weight should be achieved. Dietary fiber should be reduced in the early stages of the disease (since it cannot be tolerated), and then the amount of fiber should be increased. Fluid consumption should be increased. Fried and roasted foods should be avoided.
SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME
It is the name given to the condition that develops as a result of surgical intervention in the intestine (removal of the small intestine). Small intestine can be removed at the level of 70-80%. Nutrition Therapy: Energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and fluid requirements are adjusted according to the individual. Low-fibre, soft foods are given. The patient is administered TPN (total parenteral nutrition) for a long time. In the later period, enteral and/or oral nutrition is administered. When oral feeding is applied, the amount of lactose in the diet is reduced because the production of the lactase enzyme decreases. As a result of fat malabsorption, absorption of vitamins A, D, E, K and calcium decreases. Feeding is applied frequently and little by little.
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