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The reduced vital capacity, decreased membrane-area and increased membrane-thickness make breathing progressively more difficult and less effective. A diseased lobe may be removed surgically. Effective specific drugs such as streptomycin are now available and the disease is much less feared now than before.
III. Disorders of Digestive System
With some thirty feet of alimentary canal, it is no wonder that disorders of the digestive system are among the most common causes of visits to doctors.
Antacids and laxatives are, perhaps, one of the most widely used medicines sold over the counter. In many cases, however, these are unnecessary and may even be harmful.
Indigestion
Indigestion or Dyspepsia is a vague term used loosely for a variety of digestive system. Any one or more than one of the following conditions may be the cause of disorder :
Spasm of the esophagus Inflammation of the stomach-wall Peptic ulcer Cancer of the stomach Gall-bladder diseases Intestinal disorder
Emotional upsets. Obviously no one medicine can be a panacea for such a diverse assortment of ills. Persistent indigestion should be a warning signal to search the root of the disorder. Chewing a few antacid tablets neutralises the gastric acid. But, in fact, the presence of a fairly strong hydrochloric acid is essential for proper stomach function. Indeed, inadequate production of this acid due to atrophy of acid producing mucosa in the stomach is a common cause of gastritis and chronic diarrhea. This responds well to a dose of dilute hydrochloric acid solution after meals.
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