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The duodenum is an organ in the human body that connects the stomach to the fluid intestine. This is where the digestive processes and the absorption of nutrients from meals take place in the human body. What does the duodenum look like and what are its functions? What are the most common diseases of the duodenum?
Duodenum – anatomy
The duodenum is a tubular organ in the human body that ranges from 25 to 30 cm in length. The duodenum comes out of the stomach where it connects with the pylorus of the stomach and forms the initial section of the small intestine. It is located at the level of the first lumbar vertebra, and its appearance resembles the letter C. The hepatic and pancreatic ducts coming out of it form the so-called Vater’s wart.
The duodenum consists of four parts:
- the upper part (duodenal bulb) – this is the shortest section, approx. 4-5 cm,
- descending part – 8-10 cm long,
- horizontal part (lower) – length approx. 6 cm,
- ascending part – length about 6 cm.
Duodenum – functions
The duodenum plays an important role in the digestive process. The food passing through the stomach then goes to the duodenum, where it is mixed with liver bile, pancreatic juice and duodenal juice, which contain enzymes involved in digesting food.
The most important role of the duodenum is to digest carbohydrates, proteins and fats, as well as absorb the necessary nutrients. The main functions of the duodenum include the digestive stage of the absorption of food components, and the horizontal and descending part is the place where the food is absorbed.
Diseases of the duodenum – duodenal ulcers
One of the most common diseases that may affect this organ is duodenal ulcer. Ulcers are small crater-shaped defects in the duodenum of various sizes – from a few or even several millimeters. This ailment can appear at almost any age. The cause of its occurrence is often related to poor diet and unhealthy eating habits, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, or genetic factors.
The most common symptoms of duodenal ulcer are: bloating, constipation, heartburn, indigestion, pain in the right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite and weight loss, and blood in the stool. Increased symptoms often appear around 2 hours after eating a meal.
Most often, duodenal ulcers are treated with antibiotics or drugs that stop stomach acid from secreting. Basic treatment of duodenal ulcer takes about 2 weeks, although the disease is sometimes recurrent. An important element of ensuring the proper condition of the duodenum and avoiding ulcers is a healthy diet – mainly avoiding fatty, fried products, as well as those with inseparable fiber (e.g. pasta, wholemeal bread, raw vegetables).
It is also recommended to avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, salt and spicy spices. The diet of a person struggling with duodenal ulcer should include steamed meals, based mainly on lean and easily digestible products.
- Find out more about gastric and duodenal ulcers
- See also: Functional disorders of the stomach and duodenum
Diseases of the duodenum – duodenogastric reflux
The duodenal disease that patients often struggle with is duodenogastric reflux. This means that the content of the duodenum flows back into the stomach, bypassing the small intestine. Duodenogastric reflux is very often accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. In this case, pharmacological treatment and a diet similar to that used in duodenal ulcers is recommended.
Diseases of the duodenum – duodenitis
Duodenitis is a disease caused by a viral (e.g. rotavirus), parasitic, or bacterial (e.g. Salmonella) infection. Infection is caused by eating foods that contain viruses, bacteria or parasites or by contact with the person who carries them.
Symptoms that accompany duodenitis include diarrhea, fever, lack of appetite and vomiting. Treatment of inflammation is most often carried out with antibiotic therapy. During this time, it is also recommended to consume plenty of water and eat an easily digestible diet.
- Read more on duodenitis and gastritis
Diseases of the duodenum – diagnosis
All duodenal diseases are most often diagnosed by gastroscopy, CT, i.e. computed tomography of the gastrointestinal tract, bilimetry or scintigraphy. In order to detect Helicobacter pylori bacteria, non-invasive tests are used:
- breath test,
- blood test for antibodies
- a test that detects bacterial antigens in the stool.
In the event of any long-term disease symptoms, see a doctor and undergo appropriate tests in order to avoid even more serious health problems, which may be, for example, duodenal cancer.