Track 1: Digestive

The digestive system is a vital part of the human body responsible for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. It involves a series of organs working together to process food, absorb essential nutrients, and eliminate waste.

What are the 7 steps of digestion?

The seven steps of digestion are: 

Mechanical digestion: Breaking down food into smaller pieces

Ingestion: Taking food into the mouth

Chemical digestion: Breaking down food into smaller molecules using enzymes

Secretion: Releasing gastric secretions into the small intestine

Absorption: Moving digested food into the bloodstream

Propulsion: Moving food through the digestive tract

Defecation: Removing undigested food from the body

What is the role of the digestive?

The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients that the body can use for energy, growth, and cell repair. It also removes waste from the body. 

How it works

Chewing: The mouth breaks down food with saliva. 

Mixing: Food mixes with digestive juices as it moves through the digestive tract. 

Breaking down: Digestive enzymes break down food into smaller molecules. 

Absorbing: The small intestine absorbs nutrients into the bloodstream. 

Storing: The body stores nutrients for later use. 

Removing waste: The large intestine processes waste and removes it from the body as stool. 

Organs involved 

Mouth: Chews food and produces saliva

Esophagus: A muscular tube that moves food from the throat to the stomach

Stomach: Produces hydrochloric acid to break down food

Pancreas: Stimulates the stomach to produce gastric acid

Small intestine: Absorbs nutrients from food

Large intestine: Processes waste and removes it from the body as stool

What is a digestive problem?  

A digestive problem is a medical condition that affects the digestive system. Digestive problems can range from mild to serious. 

Symptoms 

Bloating

Constipation

Diarrhea

Heartburn

Pain

Nausea and vomiting

Loss of appetite

Bloody or dark stools

Fatigue   

Common digestive problems

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A digestive disorder that can affect more women than men 

Lactose intolerance: A digestive problem that makes it difficult to digest lactose 

Constipation: Having fewer than three bowel movements a week, or stools that are hard to pass 

Hemorrhoids: A rectal problem that can cause discomfort 

Causes 

Not eating enough fiber

Not drinking enough water

Certain medications

Changes in routine, such as travel

Pregnancy  

Treatment

Most digestive problems can be treated with lifestyle changes or medication. However, if symptoms don't improve, or get worse, you should consult a doctor.

Subtopic: Ingestion, Mechanical digestion, Chemical digestion, Absorption, Excretion, Peristalsis, Esophagus, Small intestine, Large intestine Liver, Pancreas, Esophagus, Stomach