The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a long muscular tube that functions as the food processor for the human body. The digestive system includes the following organs: mouth and salivary glands, stomach, small and large intestines, colon, liver and pancreas, and the gallbladder. Irritations or inflammation of the various sections of the GIT are identified as gastritis (stomach), colitis (colon), ileitis (ileum or small intestines), hepatitis (liver), and cholecystitis (gallbladder).

The GIT breaks down foods by first using mechanical means such as chewing and then by the application of a host of complex chemical processes. These chemical processes include everything from saliva to colon microbes. Since the GIT is the point of entry for the human body, everything eaten has an impact on the body. The food eaten and passed through the GIT contains nutrients as well as toxins. Toxins can be anything from food additives and pesticides to specific foods that induce a reaction from the GIT. The process of digestion is accomplished via the surface of the GIT using secretions from accessory glands. The two glands providing the majority of digestive chemicals utilized by the GIT are the liver and the pancreas. The function of the liver is to control the food supply for the rest of the body by further processing the food molecules absorbed through the intestines. The liver does this by dispensing those food molecules in a controlled manner and by filtering out toxins that may have passed through the GIT wall. Another very important function of the GIT is as a sensory organ. By rejecting foods through objectionable taste, vomiting, and diarrhea, or any combination of these symptoms, the sensing capacity of the GIT can protect the body. The surface of the GIT has a complex system of nerves and other cells of the immune system. The surface of the GIT, or mucosa, is part of a complex sensing system called the MALT (mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue). The immune sensors in MALT trigger responses such as nausea, vomiting, pain, and swelling. Vomiting and diarrhea are abrupt defensive responses by MALT when it senses foods with a strong allergic or toxic component. This kind of food intolerance is responsible for many digestive problems. The GIT is "hard-wired" to the brain via hormonal, neurotransmitter-mediator chemical communication.

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There are many digestive disorders that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Some of the most common disorders are GERD (Acid Reflux), Ulcers, and Gastritis.

GERD
When you swallow, your lower esophageal sphincter — a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus — relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then it closes again. However, if this valve relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus, causing heartburn. The acid backup is worse when you're bent over or lying down. Frequent heartburn is usually a symptom of GERD, although other conditions such as hiatal hernia also are related to heartburn. In this condition, also called diaphragmatic hernia, part of your stomach protrudes into your lower chest. If the protrusion is large, a hiatal hernia can worsen heartburn by further weakening the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

Peptic / Gastric Ulcers
A peptic ulcer is erosion in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The word “peptic” refers to pepsin, a stomach enzyme that breaks down proteins. If a peptic ulcer is located in the stomach it is called a gastric ulcer. Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms. Large ulcers can cause serious bleeding. Most ulcers occur in the first layer of the inner lining. A hole that goes all the way through is called a perforation of the intestinal lining. A perforation is a medical emergency.
Normally, the lining of the stomach and small intestines have protection against the irritating acids produced in your stomach. For a variety of reasons, the protective mechanisms may become faulty, leading to a breakdown of the lining. This results in inflammation (gastritis ) or an ulcer. The most common cause of such damage is infection of the stomach with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori). Most people with peptic ulcers have this organism living in their gastrointestinal (GI) tract. On the other hand, many people have this organism living in their GI tract but they don't get an ulcer.

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Gastritis
Gastritis is a term used to describe a group of conditions characterized by inflammation of the lining of your stomach. Commonly, the inflammation of gastritis results from infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. Yet other factors — including traumatic injury and regular use of certain pain relievers — also can contribute to gastritis. Gastritis may occur suddenly (acute gastritis), or it can occur slowly over time (chronic gastritis). In spite of the many conditions associated with gastritis, the signs and symptoms of the disease are very similar: a burning pain in your upper abdomen and, occasionally, bloating, belching, nausea or vomiting. In some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn't serious and improves quickly with treatment.

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