Overview of Digestive System Disease Statistics in Canada – FYI

• 10% of all hospitalizations involve digestive diseases.
• Approximate healthcare expenditure: $18 billion annually.
• 30,000 deaths per year due to digestive diseases.
• Canada has the highest incidence globally of:
  • GI ulcers
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Digestive cancers, mainly colon cancer, are the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada, after lung cancer.
• Heartburn affects over 5 million Canadians weekly.
• Over 50% of Canadians develop hemorrhoids during their lifetime.
• Annually, 50 million people worldwide suffer from traveler’s diarrhea.
• Diarrheal diseases contribute to 1.8 million deaths worldwide each year.

Maintaining Digestive Health

• Following Health Canada Food Guide is crucial.
• Reduce:
  • Processed meats
  • Sugar
  • Burned food
  • Fast food
  • Alcohol
• A healthy diet supports digestive health throughout life.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Digestive Disorders

General Symptoms

• Anorexia (loss of appetite)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bulimia (binge-purge cycle; may be linked to psychological factors)

Causes of Nausea & Vomiting

• Infections
• Systemic issues (e.g., uremia — elevated urea in blood)
• Emotional stress and psychological factors.
• Increased intracranial pressure (e.g., from neurological disease):
  • Can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.

Anorexia

• Two types:
  1. Loss of appetite due to:
     • Body undergoing infection or trauma.
     • Energy diverted to healing.
  2. Psychological anorexia (Anorexia nervosa):
     • A psychological disorder involving fear of weight gain and abnormal eating behaviors.

Additional Factors Causing Nausea & Vomiting

• Medications
• Pain or reflux may also cause nausea or vomiting.

Preceding or Associated Conditions

• Nausea and vomiting often precede or accompany symptoms like anorexia.
• These symptoms may recur during progressive disease or stressful events.

Summary

• Digestive symptoms like anorexia, nausea, and vomiting can be caused by a variety of physical, systemic, or psychological factors.
• Recognizing these signs is vital for early diagnosis and intervention.
• Maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding known irritants can help prevent digestive disorders.