• Propulsion of food, • Digestion and absorption of food and • Excretion of waste products. The diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract interfere with the intake of food by reducing appetite, inducing nausea and vomiting, evoking pain or by producing obstruction. The diseases of lower gastrointestinal tract impair the functions of intestinal tract and result in poor utilization of ingested food. The common disorders of stomach and intestine are diarrhoea, constipation and peptic ulcer.
This chapter will enable students To understand the functions of gastrointestinal system To learn and understand the causes, symptoms and diet therapy for diarrhea, constipation and peptic ulcer. To understand the functions of liver To learn and understand the causes, symptoms and diet therapy for hepatitis and cirrhosis OBJECTIVES