Factors that Affect the GI Tract

The Gastro Intestinal (GI) Tract is a long and twisting tube that begins from the mouth and extends up to the anus and may be segregated as the upper and lower GI tract. The upper GI tract includes the mouth, oesophagus, stomach and the initial portion of the duodenum or the small intestine. The lower GI tract begins from the small intestine through the large intestine and ends at the anus.

Besides this, the salivary glands, pancreas and liver are considered as accessories to the GI tract as their ducts secrete enzymes and other substances into it. It is noteworthy that all foreign particles that enter the body must pass through the mucosa of the GI tract and several membranes before they are finally absorbed into the blood.

The various factors that affect the absorption in the various regions of the GI Tract are:

• The type of cells prevalent in the GI area
• The duration of the time the substance is present in the GI tract
• The pH(alkalinity) of the stomach and other intestinal constituents at the GI site

Direct exposure to toxicants can cause local GI damage.GI tract is also prone to various infections due to various bacteria, viruses and parasites. These cause inflammation in the stomach and intestinal regions.GI tract infections can last from a few days to about two weeks. Typically there are stomach infections symptoms including abdominal discomfort and cramping followed by diarrhoea. Other symptoms are:

• Feeling of nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Loss of hunger
• Muscle aches and cramps
• Loss of weight
• Presence of stool or blood in the stool

Causes of GI Tract Infections

• Bacteria like E.coli and Salmonella
• Viruses like Norovirus and Rotavirus
• Parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium

Treatment of GI Tract Infections
By and large self-care measures help treat GI Tract Infections. It is important to remain well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids especially water in case there are loose stools and vomiting. Additionally, the body may lose essential minerals like potassium, sodium and calcium. Therefore, consuming broths and soups may be beneficial in replacing the lost electrolytes and minerals. In case of severe dehydration, patients must get admitted to the hospital for getting treatment with intravenous fluids.

For bacterial GI infections, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics. These medicines are not useful if the infection is caused by viruses and parasites. It is also advisable to avoid high-fibre foods that worsen the diarrhoea. Other simple remedies for treating this infection are:

• Taking plenty of rest
• Eating mineral enriched foods at periodic foods
• Avoiding high-fibrous foods and fruits and dairy foods
• Not drinking carbonated and sports beverages and other drinks that have high sugar content

Usually, GI Tract Infections resolve within a week. However, in severe cases, there may be complications as children and older adults are more susceptible to it. Possible complications are high fever, loss of bowel control, bleeding of the intestinal tract, anaemia and kidney failure. When patients experience persistent symptoms they should immediately need medical attention to avoid serious consequences like clinical intervention through gastrointestinal surgery.

Prevention
Using sufficient measures for maintaining hygiene can help in preventing GI tract infections. The following tips are useful in this regard:

• Washing hands completely before and after eating food and after using the restroom
• Using a sanitizer or washing hands properly after touching animals particularly those that live in the farm
• Avoiding the usage of raw meat and fish
• Drinking clean bottled water and avoiding dehydration while travelling, especially in developing countries
• Preventing close contact with people who have GI infections
• Thoroughly cleaning vegetables and fruits before using consuming them in the raw form as in juices or salads
• Promptly discarding expired or spoilt food items
• Not consuming unpasteurized milk
• Maintaining cleanliness and hygienic standards in the kitchen and bathroom