 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
ADVERTISING RATES
FEATURE ARTICLE
COMMUNITY
FAMILY
HEALTH
WELLNESS
TRAVEL
RECIPE
HOME IMPROVEMENT
GOLF
ARTISANS
ENTERTAINMENT
HOTSPOTS
HOROSCOPES
POETS PEN
FLORAL
BUSINESS
BUSINESS ASSOC
FINANCIAL REPORT
LAKEVIEW NEW GEN
COMPUTERS
SENIORS
CHIROPRACTIC
MARTIAL ARTS
TATTOOS
TAROT
|
|
| Seniors |
 |
| INDIGESTION CAUSING DISCOMFORT? |
| ||||||
| Everyone from infants to seniors experiences indigestion at some time. The effects of indigestion including abdominal bloating, stomach pain, gas, heartburn, constipation, and diarrhoea to name a few, are caused by numerous digestive problems. Causes range from over eating, under eating, eating foods of low nutrient content, improperly prepared foods, eating too fast without taking the time to chew sufficiently, spicy or oily foods, anxiety, ulcers and the list goes on. The digestive system is composed of several organs the mouth and salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum, each plays a vital role. The digestive system works like a wrecking machine, taking in large pieces of food, breaking them down into smaller more manageable pieces, saturating them with saliva and enzymes which allows for the extraction of nutrients, then storing, the waste for future evacuation. The first stage of digestion occurs in the mouth. Two processes are initiated here, mechanical breakdown of the ingested food by chewing, and digestion of starches begins here. Human dentition is mixed, it is composed of incisors (front teeth) for slicing through foods thus creating smaller more manageable pieces which can then be further ground down by the premolars and molars and prepared for swallowing. Proper mastication or chewing prepares the food for further digestion by the rest of the digestive system in a form that the esophagus, stomach, and intestines can process. The tongue and cheeks also aid in the mechanical breakdown at this stage by moving the food around the mouth thus making it easier to chew. Salivary glands also play a major role here by moistening the food so it can be swallowed and by secreting amylase which initiates the break down of starches. Note salivary excretion diminishes in the elderly, try to compensate by taking in smaller pieces of food. The role of the esophagus is simple; it passes food along to the stomach. The stomach as most people know is full of acid, to be specific hydrochloric acid. It is the escape of a small amount of this acid into the esophagus that causes heartburn. The major role of the stomach is the breakdown of proteins into amino acids. Within 2~6 hours all food is emptied into the small intestine. In the small intestine over 90% of digestion and absorption takes place. The acid of the stomach is neutralised and food is mixed with enzymes, bile and pancreatic juices. The length of the average human small intestine is 20 feet with an inner surface area of approximately 1/3 of a football field. The large intestine is responsible for the absorption of water. The Rectum acts as a storage area for wastes before they are evacuated. The liver aids in digestion and also detoxifies food impurities and inspects nutrients before they are allowed into the blood stream. The gall bladder stores bile used to break down dietary fat. The pancreas produces digestive juices and helps control blood sugar. Insulin is produced here. A couple of interesting facts on digestion. 70 year olds produce as little as half the enzymes they produced when they were 20. By age 50, many people will produce only 15% of the stomach acid they released at age 25, and about a third of all people over the age of 65 secrete almost none! The digestive process is extremely complex involving hundreds of chemical reactions, occasional indigestion is inevitable however, here are a few tips to help keep things running smoothly. Start by taking small manageable bites and chewing food thoroughly, this allows the rest of the system to do its job without the burden of the work you sloughed off. Don’t skip meals, 3-4 small meals a day instead of 1 or 2 large ones, your system will thank you. Eat your biggest meal early in the day so your body has all day to use the nutrients you ingest. Avoid foods which are low in nutrients opt for fresh fruits and vegetables. Smoking inhibits the body from absorbing many vitamins and can leave your body depleted of them. Chronic drinking damages the liver, which plays a vital role in digestion. Exercise regularly, the effects benefit the body in all of its functions and it makes you feel good, so get out and play no matter what your age. This information is for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing prolonged indigestion, consult your doctor. Chris Todd, Port Credit Denture Clinic. 327A Lakeshore Road East, Port Credit. (905) 278-1471. |
 Sign Guestbook |
 View Guestbook |
|
. |
| Visitors: 01941 |