Intestinal and Accessory Organ Disorders
Intestinal problems range from common to complex. Food-borne illness simply means getting sick after eating contaminated food, while irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes chronic abdominal cramping, pain, and bloating with either diarrhea or constipation. Acute appendicitis is a painful inflammation of the appendix, sometimes caused by a hardened mass of feces.
More serious intestinal conditions include Crohn's disease (inflammation typically in the ileum with unknown cause, classified as an autoimmune disease), celiac disease (which prevents proper nutrient absorption), and diverticular disease (pouches forming in the colon lining). Hemorrhoids are essentially varicose veins of the anus and rectum.
The liver detoxifies harmful substances while the gallbladder stores bile. Common disorders include cholelithiasis (gallstones formed from cholesterol or bile salts), which might require a cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder). Cirrhosis occurs when liver tissue becomes fibrous and hardened, causing liver failure and sometimes jaundice (yellowing of the skin).
Hepatitis is liver inflammation from infection, chemical exposure, or drug complications. Viral hepatitis includes types A through G, with different transmission routesโhepatitis B and C spread through blood and bodily fluids, while types A and E are transmitted through feces.
Important Note: The liver is essential for survival, but the gallbladder can be removed without preventing a person from living a relatively normal life.