Janusz Jerzemowski

Academy of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Gdańsk, Poland

THE MEANING OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CHOSEN ILLNESSES OF UPPER PART OF DIGESTIVE TRACT AMONG YOUNG MEN

Key words: physical activity, upper part digestive tract disease, risk factors

Summary

The aim of the work was to assess the influence of increased physical activity on the clinical picture of certain upper part digestive tract (updt) illnesses and also to assess the increased physical activity among other risk factors behind (updt). Illness such as the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection, smoking, everyday stress and bad diet.

The subject consisted of 1171 young men serving in the Navy who suffered from (updt).

By using gastrofiberoscopy the following illnesses were found, which were classified according to the frequency of their occurrence: gastritis, gastro-duodenitis, non ulcer dyspepsy, duodenal ulcer, reflux gastro-oesophagal, hiatal hernia, gastric ulcer, polypus oesophagi and stomach. The age of inpatients ranged from 20 – 23 years, with an average age of 20,8.All were diagnosed at the Internal Illnesses department at the Naval Hospital during the years 1995 – 2002. Except the diagnostic examinations they underwent the ureasic test for H pylori. The anamnesis was supplemented by a questionnaire which aimed to find the risk factors the examined illnesses, especially of physical exercise increased. For the assessment of increased physical activity the time devoted to runs and marchings-runs was used. It was more than 10 hours per week. For presenting of frequency of occurrence distribution of increased physical exercise, and also particular risk factors the structure indices were used.

The results suggest that increased physical activity is the greater which causes an increase symptoms in patients suffering from gastro-oesophagal reflux and hiatal hernia. They also indicate a degree of correlation between increased physical activity and the presence of H pylori. Increased physical activity may be used of non pharmakological method of treatment for selected (updt) diseases.

Introduction

Physical activity plays an importance role in pathogenesis not only of the circulatory system but also of the digestive tract. According to many research results concerning the upper part oft he digestive tract (updt) physical activity is a pro-health factor improving prognosis and also reducing the risk of illness. It is also valid with respect to young people (1, 2, 6, 7-9).

Among several factors that ore conductive to the occurrence of (updt) illness the significant factors are sex mass, obesity, the stress of everyday life, bad diet increase of hyperchlorhydria gastric juice, especially during the night, as well as Helicobacter pylori (H pylori), smoking, low physical activity and misuse of the non steroid antiphlogistic medicines (Nsam).

The latest results point out that sex, obesity and (Nsam) are less important factors among young persons (4, 5).

The aim of the work was to asses the influence of increased physical activity on the clinical picture of certain (updt) illnesses, and also to relative importance of assess in the increased physical activity among other risk factors behind (updt). Illness such as the presence of H pylori infection, smoking, everyday stress and but diet.

Material and methods

The subjects consisted of 1171 young men serving in the Navy, who suffered from (uptd). By using gastrofiberoscopy the following illnesses were found, which were classified according to the frequency of their occurrence:

1. gastritis,

2. gastro-duodenitis,

3. non ulcer dyspepsy

4. duodenal ulcer,

5. reflux gastro-oesophagalis,

6. hernia hiatal,

7. ulcus ventriculi,

8. polypus oesophagi and stomach.

The age of inpatients ranged from 20 – 23 years with an average age of 20,8. All inpatients were diagnosed at the Internal Illness Ward at the Naval Hospital in Gdańsk during the years 1995 – 2002.

Except the diagnostic examinations they underwent the ureasic test for Helicobacter pylori.

The anamnesis was supplemented by a questionnaire which aimed to find the risk factors behind the examined illnesses, especially physical exercise increased. For the assessment of increased physical activity the time devoted to runs and marching-runs was used.

It was more than 10 hours per week. For presenting the frequency of occurrence distribution of increased physical exercise, and also particular risk factors the structure indices were used.

Results

The results of the examinations are depicted in table 1 and figure 1.

Discussion

The subjects of the study consisted of young men, living in similar conditions, which developed (uptd) symptoms during their Naval service. Most of their inpatients thought that their complaints stemmed from everyday stress, bad diet, excessive alcohol intake, smoking reflux gastrooesophagal and hiatal hernia. In case of inpatients who were suffering from the latter two conditions, extra exercise increased their sufferin.

Among the risk factor of (updt) significant differences were observed with respect to the frequency of occurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection and also with the increase aggraviation of trouble in the period of increased physical exercise in care of the previously mentioned illnesses.

According to Cheng (1) increased physical activity is a non-pharmacological method of reducing duodenic ulcers. Other authors suggest that the coexistance of H pylori and duodenic ulcers increase the influence of enviromental factors causing the development of some (updt) illnesses. Rosenstock (8) proved, based evidence from 2416 adults Danes, that moderate physical activity together with such factors as mental well-being, life style, H pylori infection, smoking, excessive alcohol intake and some medicines may cause duodenal ulcers, to develop.

Increased suffering from (updt) among persons active in sports is well known.

It may be the result of relaxation of the inferior sphincter of the oesophagus (3, 10).

It also recent that some of those mechanisms may occur the development in case condition hernia hiatus.

The presented examinations reveal that increased physical activity is a significant factor in the development of most of the illnesses mentioned above among young men.

Conclusion:

1. In the presented material physical activity is a significant factor that increases suffering from (updt) among in patients with reflux gastro-oesophagalis and hernia hiatus.

2. Among the risk factors the degree of physical activity seems to be correlated with the presence of H pylori infection.

3. For inpatients with certain (updt) illnesses (gastritis, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer) physical activity may considered as a non-pharmacological method of treatment.

Table 1 and figure 1. Frequency of occurrence of factors which cause illness as a result of upper part digestive tract.

Lp.	Unit disease	Positive test on the H pylori	Stres every day	Bad diet	Smoking
1.	Gastritis	55	70	85	70
2.	Gastro-duodenitis	45	75	85	68
3.	Non ulcer dyspepsy	23	45	70	65
4.	Duodenial ulcer	29	80	70	72
5.	Reflux gastro-oesophageal	9	85	68	70
6.	Hiatal hernia	10	40	75	63
7.	Gastric ulcer	12	50	68	55
8.	Polypus oesopagi and the stomach	10	20	55	57

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