Digestive Problems Choking Aspiration Trachea Larynx Aspiration is the medical term for the accidental passage of food or liquid into the windpipe. Generally underchewed solid food Genereally caused by talking while simultaneously chewing food Trachea Larynx Is the person really choking? If the person can cough freely, has normal skin color and can speak, he or she is not choking. Encourage them to cough and stay with them till they are ok. It could be a Laryngospasm Laryngospasm e.g. choking on the “juice” of a candy Evolutionarily candy is a new thing Our swallowing mechanism can handle a bolus but not a steady trickle of saliva Some of the saliva gets into vocal cords or even your trachea Your vocal cords slam shut to prevent the liquid from getting into the lungs You do not use Heimlich maneuver for this If the cough is more like a gasp and the person is turning blue, he or she is probably choking. If in doubt, ask the choking person whether he or she can talk. If the person can speak, then the windpipe is not completely blocked and oxygen is reaching the lungs. A person who is choking is unable to communicate except by hand motions. The universal sign for choking is a hand clutched to the throat, with thumb and fingers extended. If a person displays this sign, get emergency care but don't leave the person unattended. OR Perform the Heimlich Maneuver Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

http://www. phon. ox. ac. uk/~jcoleman/phonation http://www.phon.ox.ac.uk/~jcoleman/phonation.htm - Great site for understanding how voice is generated

Heimlich Maneuver

Digestive Problems Vomiting Three Stages Nausea Retching or dry heaves Emesis Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Digestive Problems Vomiting Caused by Peristalsis is reversed Injury (e.g. blow to the abdomen or head injury) Some medications (may be allergic) e.g. chemotherapy Diseases Gastric or intestinal infection Ear infection Gastric illnesses caused by alcohol or overating Upsetting body’s equilibrium (e.g car sickness, air or sea travel) Peristalsis is reversed Generally only stomach contents If it goes on for long enough sometimes duodenal contents (green bile) Fluid loss Bigger problem with infants since they have more fluid between their cells and so can lose it faster Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Digestive Problems Vomiting Bulimia - self-induced vomiting Repeated vomiting damages pharynx, esophagus and salivary glands, erodes teeth Most other vomiting is self-limiting But prolonged vomiting should be checked out Hydration is important Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Digestive Problems Diarrhea Stools are too water Causes Treatment Either water has not been absorbed by the intestine (food passed through too quickly) Or additional water was drawn out of the intestinal lining Causes Food poisoning Infectious Chemical Certain sugar alternatives Medication Colitis Treatment Mostly fluid replacement Unless it is a chronic situation (e.g. IBS) Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Digestive Problems Diarrhea Irritable bowel syndrome IBS is a functional bowel disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and discomfort accompanied by alterations in bowel function, diarrhea, constipation or a combination of both, typically over months or years.  Research suggests most common functional GI problem More women than men are affected Defective serotonin signaling may be the cause Zelnorm restores deficient serotonin signaling by activating appropriate receptors to increase GI motility in the gut Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Digestive Problems Constipation Hemorrhoids Reverse of Diarrhea Stools are difficult or painful to expel Causes Dehydration Lack of physical activity Lack of fiber in diet Ignoring signals to defecate Medication Treatment Increase activity Increase fiber in diet Increase water intake Do not ignore defecation signals Eating prunes Adding a little fat to the diet ( increases salt content drawing water from the intestinal walls. Colonic irrigation is not a cure and could be dangerous Hemorrhoids Caused by stretching of rectal veins One of the causes is constipation Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Digestive Problems Diverticula Diverticulosis Diverticulitis Intestinal wall develops bulges called diverticula Diverticulitis Inflammation of diverticula Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Diverticula in the Colon Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Digestive Problems Belching Gas Hiccups Swallowing air Sometimes due to serious disease Gas Maybe due to improper absorption Bacteria break down certain food substances Hiccups Diaphragm normally pulls down when you inhale and pushes up when you exhale Sometimes the diaphragm gets irritated and pushes in a jerky fashion When your breath gets pushed through your voice box in this way it creates the funny sound Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Digestive Problems Heartburn = gastroesophageal reflux Antacids and acid controllers Acid in your stomach is needed Regular use of antacids and acid controllers not advisable Check for Helicobacter pylori Indigestion Maybe due to overating Stomach muscles react strongly causing reverse peristalsis Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Gastroesophageal Reflux Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Digestive Problems Ulcers Peptic ulcer Helicobactor pylorii infection Has been associated with stomach cancer Use of certain anti-inflammatory drugs Disorders that cause excessive acid secretion Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Strategies for GI Problems Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning

Copyright 2005 Wadsworth Group, a division of Thomson Learning