Question 1

how exactly does food move through the digestive tract?

Accepted Answer

From top to bottom: Fodd is chewed (hopefully) in the mouth, and swallowed by coordinated muscular contractions in the mouth and throat, entering the esophagus, where the same muscular contractions push it down to the stomach. Churning action and enzymes, acid break the food chunks into smaller particles that are pushed, again by muscles of the GI tract, through the small intestine, eventually to reach the colon.

Question 2

how does the body protect against the entry of pathogens through the digestive tract?

Accepted Answer

Toxic enviorment: Strong gastric acid and digestive enzymes are a potent barrier. and those that get by this first line of defence are attacked by WBCs and immunoglobins
Even Probiotics have a poor chance so don't waste your money

Question 3

what causes ulcers in the mouth and all the way through the digestive tract and on the vaginal area?

Accepted Answer

Sjogren's is rare...: Usually small ulcers, or aphthous ulcers, are benign symptoms and are similar to canker sores.  They can be caused by viruses, eating too many acidic or sugar-rich foods and candies.  If the sores are also in vagina or in GI tract, you should be evaluated by a doctor.  Any persistent sore in your mouth should be evaluated by dentist or physician!

Question 4

simple...can juiced beets transit through the digestive tract in five-hours. i juiced, drank, and 5 hours later my stool was red, is this the beets?

Accepted Answer

Probably: Simple- yes, it can transit the GI tract in 5 hours and yes, beet juice commonly causes red stools. 
Can't say with complete certainty it was the juice but seems very likely. If red stool persists take sample to Dr. for testing.

Question 5

if you take metamucil or flaxseed too soon after taking medication, sweeping them through the digestive tract too quickly, is there any risk of injury?

Accepted Answer

Not as you surmise: Metamucil and flaxseed in can reduce constipation in the same way any other natural or supplemental fiber does.  Neither speed up intestinal transit time to any significant degree or cause injury in recommended doses.  However, fiber can bind to certain medications, decreasing their absorption.  As a general rule, you should separate fiber supplements from medication intake by two + hours.

Question 6

the enzymes which enter the digestive tract through the duodenum are produced in what organ?

Accepted Answer

Many: Bile comes from the gallbladder and liver, pancreatic enzymes from the (guess what?) pancreas, acid and other enzymes from the stomach lining and small intestinal lining. Even your salivary glands in your mouth get in on the action, making amylase--a communal effort.

Question 7

my whole digestive tract (from throat through bowels to rectum) is always gurgling. doctor says it's likely ibs/gerd, but no medications work to stop it, i've tried antacids, gas-x etc, only thing that seems to work a little is peppermint tea?

Accepted Answer

: The gurgling is due to peristaltis, contractions of the intestinal tract moving juices,foods down towards the colon &amp;rectum. Apparently you don't have any other symptoms like loose stools, cramps,bloating,heartburn. If the gurgling is a nuisance a medication like dicyclomine could quiet those intestinal gurgling sounds.

Question 8

how to clean out digestive tract from above?

Accepted Answer

PRoper diet and flui: Ds. Colon cleanses are a gimmick and make alot of money off of people who use them. Eating properly with high fiber diet and drinking plenty of non caffeinated, non alcoholic fluids is all you need to clean the bowel properly.

Question 9

what can cause your digestive tract to be off balance?

Accepted Answer

Define please: I don't understand "off balance?" Viral infections, bacterial infections, medications, disagreeable foods or beverages, and of course infirmities such as diabetes mellitus, IBS, Crohn's, etc. etc. etc. all can knock the GI system off kilter (there I go, using your type of terminology!)  HA! So, really anything can affect normal functioning of the GI tract.  Why do you ask?

Question 10

how long does medicine have to stay in a persons digestive tract to be effective.?

Accepted Answer

As long as it is....: Once absorbed if it is a sytemic drug, that occurs quickly.  However, if you have an eneteritis with diarrhea, you may not absorb much.

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Doctor answers about:

Trace the path of food through the digestive tract

A member asked:

How exactly does food move through the digestive tract?

A member asked:

How does the body protect against the entry of pathogens through the digestive tract?

A member asked:

What causes ulcers in the mouth and all the way through the digestive tract and on the vaginal area?

A member asked:

Simple...can juiced beets transit through the digestive tract in five-hours. i juiced, drank, and 5 hours later my stool was red, is this the beets?

A member asked:

If you take metamucil or flaxseed too soon after taking medication, sweeping them through the digestive tract too quickly, is there any risk of injury?

A member asked:

The enzymes which enter the digestive tract through the duodenum are produced in what organ?

A member asked:

My whole digestive tract (from throat through bowels to rectum) is always gurgling. doctor says it's likely ibs/gerd, but no medications work to stop it, i've tried antacids, gas-x etc, only thing that seems to work a little is peppermint tea?

A member asked:

How to clean out digestive tract from above?

A member asked:

What can cause your digestive tract to be off balance?

A member asked:

How long does medicine have to stay in a persons digestive tract to be effective.?

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