Digestion and Absorption

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DÏSØRDËRS ØF DÏGËSTÏVË SÝSTËM

Jaundice: Here, the skin and eye turns yellow due to the deposition of bile

pigments. It indicates liver damage.

Vomiting: Ejection of stomach content through mouth. It is controlled by

medulla oblongata.

Diarrhoea: Frequent elimination of watery faeces. It reduces the

absorption of food.

Constipation: Infrequent elimination of dry stool. It is due to decreased

peristalsis in colon with retention of faeces and irregular bowel movements.

Indigestion: Condition leading to feeling of fullness due to improper

digestion. It is due to anxiety, inadequate enzyme secretion, food

poisoning, spicy food etc. (AIPMT 2012)

Protein-Energy malnutrition (PEM): It is the dietary deficiencies of

proteins & food calories. PEM causes Marasmus & Kwashiorkor in children.

Marasmus: It is due to deficiency of both proteins and calories. It is found

in infants less than a year in age. (AIPMT 2009)

Reason: Replacement of mother’s milk by foods with poor proteins and

caloric value. This often happens if mother has second pregnancy or

child birth when the older infant is still too young.

Symptoms: Impaired growth and replacement of tissue proteins; extreme

emaciation of the body, thin limbs, dry, thin and wrinkled skin, declined

growth rate and body weight, impaired growth and development of

brain and mental faculties.

Kwashiorkor: It is due to protein deficiency only

Reason: Replacement of mother’s milk by a high calorie- low protein diet

in a child more than one year in age.

Symptoms: Like marasmus, it shows wasting of muscles, thinning of

limbs, failure of growth & brain development. Unlike marasmus, some

fat is still under the skin; extensive oedema and swelling of body parts

are seen.