Vivekananda Hospital

Departments

Department of Gastrointestinal System

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) consists of a hollow muscular tube starting from the oral cavity, where food enters the mouth, continuing through the pharynx, oesophagus, stomach and intestines to the rectum and anus, where food is expelled. There are various accessory organs that assist the tract by secreting enzymes to help break down food into its component nutrients. Thus the salivary glands, liver, pancreas and gall bladder have important functions in the digestive system. Food is propelled along the length of the GIT by peristaltic movements of the muscular walls.

Gastrointestinal diseases affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the mouth to the anus. There are two types: functional and structural. Some examples include nausea/vomiting, food poisoning, lactose intolerance and diarrhea.

Symptoms

  • 1. Abdominal pain and cramps.
  • 2. Excess gas.
  • 3. Bloating.
  • 4. Change in bowel habits such as harder, looser, or more urgent stools than normal.
  • 5. Alternating constipation and diarrhea.