The digestive system converts the food we eat into its simplest forms such as sugars, proteins, amino acids and fats. These broken down components are then absorbed into the bloodstream, providing energy to cells within the body. The digestive tract begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. It is over 10 meters in length and incorporates the mouth, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, liver and bowel.
Symptoms and characteristics:
Inflammation, infection, cirrhosis (scaring), ulcers, cancer and gallstones are all associated with conditions of the digestive system.
Digestive conditions are often characterised by abdominal pain, nausea and discomfort (Better Health Channel 2008).
References:
Better Health Channel 2008, Digestive system, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 16 January 2009, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Digestive_system?open>.
Links to specific types of digestive conditions:
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