Bowel disorders are conditions that affect your small intestine, large intestine and other parts of the digestive system. They affect your body’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrition. Bowel disorders mostly present themselves through uncomfortable symptoms like constipation and diarrhoea, but they can lead to more serious complications if left untreated.

Are there types of bowel disorders?

Your digestive system can be affected by a variety of bowel disorders. Some of the most common ones are:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This condition affects both your large and small intestines and causes frequent uncomfortable symptoms that can interfere with your daily life.

Celiac disease: This autoimmune disorder is brought on by a negative reaction to gluten, which is commonly found in barley and wheat. This condition causes an irritation in the small intestine’s inner lining when you eat gluten.

Crohn’s disease: This autoimmune inflammatory disease is characterised by tissue damage in mouth, intestines and anus.

Intestinal obstruction: This occurs when the intestines become blocked due to polyps or tumours, preventing normal food processing and bowel movements.

Ulcers, intestinal cancers and infections can also cause similar symptoms as bowel disorders. The key to treatment is proper diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of bowel disorders?

Symptoms of bowel disorders can vary from one person to another. Here are the most common ones:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
• Abdominal bloating and gas

More serious symptoms include sudden weight loss and high fever. If your stool or vomit shows signs of blood, contact your doctor at once.

How are bowel disorders treated?

If you have Crohn’s disease or IBS, your doctor can give you some medicines to alleviate your symptoms. Intestinal blockage or Crohn’s disease may sometimes require surgery. The best way to treat bowel disorders is by eating a healthy diet. A strict gluten-free diet is necessary for people with celiac disease. Avoiding foods that trigger symptoms is another way of keeping bowel disorders at bay.