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April 7, 2022
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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:
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:
Symptoms of GERD include:
Treatments for GERD include:
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:
Symptoms of diarrhoea include:
Treatments for diarrhoea include:
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:
Causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include:
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include:
Treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include:
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:
Causes and risk factors of celiac disease include:
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:
Treatments for celiac disease include:
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.
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