Les Maladies de l’Appareil Digestif Liées aux Facteurs Environnementaux

Abstract

Human health is affected by many environmental influences. The link was thus established between environmental factors and the risk of developing diseases. The best documented risk factors are tobacco, alcohol, microbial agents, exposure to carcinogens and ionizing radiation, dietary factors and obesity. Consisting of an open tube in the environment and glands connected to the tube, the digestive tract is in constant contact with the external environment and its location at the crossroads between the environment and the internal environment makes it a privileged target. The digestive epithelia that line the inner side of the digestive tract form an interface between the inner and the inner environment. In addition to their physiological role, they also have a pathological and pathophysiological role and are the first targets of external aggressions. The digestive system can be affected either by enteral or parenteral. Diseases of the digestive system related to environmental factors include digestive cancers whose incidence is constantly increasing, acute and chronic infections, the imbalance of the intestinal microbiota resulting in the development of various chronic digestive and extradigestive diseases.