Common Diseases of the Digestive System & Their Treatment

The digestive system (also known as the gastrointestinal system) is a group of organs that collectively absorb nutrients and expel waste. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract includes the stomach, oesophagus, liver, pancreas, small and large intestines, and gallbladder.

Medical conditions or disorders of the GI tract are known as digestive disorders, problems that affect millions around the world every year. Digestive diseases are largely divided into two categories:

• Structural GI disorders: Organic or structural GI abnormalities prevent the digestive system from functioning normally.
• Functional GI disorders: The GI tract has a normal structure but does not function normally due to various factors.

Digestive disturbances can present themselves as a host of symptoms, from cramps to bleeding. Many of these issues resolve by themselves and pass with time without creating additional health risks. However, even common symptoms such as stomach pains can have complicated underlying causes.

Knowing the symptoms of common digestive diseases can help people identify them and seek relevant treatment at the correct time.

These are common digestive diseases and their treatment:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The contents of your stomach coming back up your oesophagus with stomach acids is called gastroesophageal reflux. While this is a relatively common occurrence, if you suffer this problem for longer durations, it may be the symptom of a more severe and long-term condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD commonly presents itself as heartburn or regurgitation. A more serious complication is the erosion of the oesophagus (the tube connecting your mouth and stomach) with the recurring regurgitation of stomach acids.

Causes of GERD include:

• Dietary factors: Certain foods such as caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea), chocolate, alcohol, and dietary fats can induce heartburn.
• Cigarette smoking
• Hiatus hernia: A portion of the stomach is pushed up the diaphragm and stays in that position.

Symptoms of GERD include:

• Regurgitation of stomach contents (sour liquids)
• Heartburn (burning sensation in your chest)
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Nausea
• Bad breath
• Chest pain

Treatments for GERD include:

• Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medication to manage symptoms
• Weight loss if overweight
• Avoiding foods and drinks that exacerbate the condition
• Eating food 2-3 hours before sleeping/ lying down

Diarrhoea

Watery, unformed, or loose stools more than three or more times a day is known as diarrhoea. Acute diarrhoea (lasting less than 14 days) is a lot more common than chronic diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and malabsorption.

Causes of acute diarrhoea include:

• The most common cause is gastroenteritis, the infection of the intestine by viruses, bacteria, parasites such as tapeworms, or contaminated food.
• Food poisoning
• Water-borne diseases such as typhoid and cholera
• Stress and anxiety
• Certain medications
• Alcohol consumption

Symptoms of diarrhoea include:

• Cramps and pain in the abdominal region
• Urgent trips to the toilet
• Frequent loose and watery stools
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Treatments for diarrhoea include:

• Oral rehydration drinks such as ORS (oral rehydration salts) to prevent dehydration.
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Antibiotics as prescribed
• Anti-diarrhoeal medication as prescribed
• Intravenous replacement of fluids in extreme cases of dehydration

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of symptoms caused by an irritable digestive tract and characterised by frequent abdominal pain, bloating, and change in bowel movements (at least 3 times a month) for several months.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be split into 3 main categories:

• Diarrhoea-predominant: The patient suffers from frequent loose stools/ diarrhoea. The urge to go to the toilet can be urgent and in extreme cases also result in incontinence.
• Constipation-predominant: Bowel movements alternate between normal stools and constipation.
• Alternating diarrhoea and constipation

Causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include:

• FODMAPs: Foods such as poorly absorbed carbohydrates such as FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are a common trigger of IBS. These include carbohydrate “sugars” such as lactose, sorbitol, and fructose.
• Infection of the intestine or gastroenteritis can cause IBS long after the infection has passed.
• Stress and anxiety can affect the bowels of susceptible people.
• Medication such as certain OTC painkillers, antacids, and antibiotics can cause diarrhoea or constipation.

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include:

• Abdominal pain that makes the patient gassy and susceptible to frequent visits to the toilet.
• Constipation and diarrhoea, which may occur together.
• Bloating and a distended abdomen
• Bowels not feeling emptied after passing motions.

Treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include:

• Low FODMAP diet that includes less gas-producing foods.
• A diet with high amounts of fibre.
• Antispasmodic medication to ease cramping of the abdomen.
• Laxatives to treat cases of constipation.
• Anti-diarrhoeal medication for diarrhoea-predominant IBS.
• Tricyclic antidepressants and psychological therapy: While tricyclic antidepressants are effective in treating infrequent bowel movements, bloating, and even pain, their use is not indicative of anxiety or depression.
• Pelvic floor therapy to help the patient improve the ability to defecate effectively.

Celiac disease:

Celiac disease is an auto-immune disorder of the small intestine. People suffering from this condition are unable to digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye. Consuming products such as bread, cakes, noodles, cereal and other foods that generally contain gluten damages the lining of the small intestine and can cause inflammation in other parts of the body too. Celiac disease damages the mucosal lining of the small intestine. The inflammation in the small intestine arising from a reaction to gluten significantly reduces the surface area of the small intestine that can absorp nutrients and minerals. This can cause nutritional deficiencies.

Celiac disease can be dangerous to you if it is left undiagnosed and untreated. Complications from untreated celiac disease include:

• Malnutrition
• Osteoporosis
• Infertility
• Depression
• Increased risk of certain cancers such as lymphoma of the small bowel.

Causes and risk factors of celiac disease include:

• A genetic predisposition is the primary underlying cause of celiac disease. “Celiac genes” and symptoms can then be triggered by environmental factors.
• Close relatives (first degree) with celiac disease is a sign of higher risk associated with having the condition.
• High levels of liver enzymes with no apparent cause.
• Autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid condition.
• Down’s syndrome
• Early onset of osteoporosis.

Symptoms associated with celiac disease can often be mistaken for those of irritable bowel syndrome, stress, or just getting older.

Symptoms of celiac disease include:

• Flatulence and bloating
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Anaemia
• Weakness and fatigue
• Tiredness
• Weight loss (in rare cases weight gain is also possible)
• Signs of nutrient malabsorption

Treatments for celiac disease include:

• Medicative treatments do not exist for celiac disease yet. The current treatment plan is a strict diet of non-gluten or gluten-free food. This means reading labels or ingredient lists of packaged foods.
• Eat natural, whole foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh unprocessed eggs, meats, and fish, legumes, dairy foods, seeds, nuts, and grains such as quinoa, corn, bajra (pearl millet), and jowar (sorghum).
• Avoid foods that contain gluten as a main ingredient. Bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits, cakes, pizza, pasta, chapatis, and wheat-based noodles are some examples of such foods.
• Try to avoid foods that may contain gluten from either indirect sources or cross-contamination. Certain sauces, malted drinks (Bournvita, Milo, Horlicks), soups, gravies, soy sauce, ice cream, custard powder, beer, and confectionery may contain gluten.

Digestive diseases range from common to rare. They can also have common symptoms, making their diagnosis difficult. Some common symptoms of digestive problems are diarrhoea, pain, constipation, heartburn, and nausea. Some patients may also require detailed diagnostic evaluations including lab tests, ultrasounds, and even endoscopic procedures. A fibre-rich diet that includes low gas-producing substances can help you maintain regular bowel movements. The decision of when to contact a doctor can be a tricky one because digestive issues are quite common in our lives today. However, digestive diseases can be chronic and signal other underlying issues in your body. To know if your digestive symptoms warrant a deeper investigation, what risks you face, and treatments available for your digestive problem(s), consult the best gastroenterologists in Bangalore at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Sagar Hospitals.