Accurate diagnosis of GI disease is fundamental for appropriate patient management. Focusing on four common diseases, Carolyne Horner describes how a selection of commercial kits may supplement diagnostic methods and support diagnosis.
In simple terms, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a flexible tube with an entrance at one end (mouth), a sphincter-controlled exit (anus) at the other, with a series of organs (pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine) in between. Add to that the closely regulated function of the pancreas, gall bladder and liver, the enteric nervous system, not to mention the 100 trillion microorganisms that form the teeming intestinal microbiota,1 and the GI tract emerges as a complex, interacting system associated with a correspondingly complex range of disorders and diseases.
Tummy troubles
Diseases of the GI tract are diverse, ranging from acute foodborne infection, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), to life-threatening colorectal cancer (Fig 1). Gastrointestinal disease may be mild and transitory causing a minor inconvenience, or may be severe and affect the quality of life of the patient on a daily basis, or may even require life-changing surgery, such as removal of a section of colon and the need for a stoma bag.
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register
