The digestive system which extends from the mouth to the anus, is responsible for receiving food, breaking it down into nutrients, absorbing the nutrients into the bloodstream, and eliminating the undigestible parts of food from the body. The digestive tract consists of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The digestive system also includes organs that lie outside the digestive tract: the pancreas, the liver, and the gallbladder.
The first steps in diagnosing a problem are always a medical history and a physical examination. However, symptoms of digestive disorders are often vague, so doctors may have difficulty determining precisely what’s wrong.
During a physical examination of a person with symptoms of a digestive problem, doctors examine the abdomen, anus, and rectum. In women, a pelvic examination often helps distinguish digestive problems from gynecologic ones.
A doctor recommends the appropriate tests, based on what the problem is and where it is.
Common GI Disorders
|
