What are digestive diseases?

All diseases that are relevant to the gastrointestinal tract are called digestive diseases. This includes diseases of the esophagus, stomach, intestines and the rectum.

When you eat, your body breaks food down to a form it can use to build and nourish cells and provide energy, this is normally referred to as the process of digestion.  There are many types of digestive disorders.

The symptoms of digestive diseases are in a wide variety, depending on the problem.  While simple changes in lifestyle will improve most digestion problems, you should see your doctor if you have:

• Blood in your stool.
• Changes in bowel habits.
• Heartburn not relieved by antacids
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Unintentional weight loss.

There is a long list of digestive disorders beginning with…

Abdominal Pain
Your abdomen extends from below your chest to your groin. Some people call it the stomach, but your abdomen contains many other important organs. Pain in the abdomen can come from any one of them. The pain may start somewhere else, such as your chest. Pain is not a good indicator of how severe your illness is. Severe pain doesn’t always mean a serious problem, and mild pain doesn’t necessarily mean a problem is not serious. Call your health care provider if mild pain lasts a week or more or if you have pain with other symptoms. Get medical help immediately if:

• You have abdominal pain that is sudden and sharp.

• You also have pain in your chest, neck or shoulder.

• You’re vomiting blood or have blood in your stool.

• Your abdomen is stiff, hard and tender to touch.

• You can’t move your bowels, especially if you’re also vomiting.

Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. Scar tissue forms as a result of injury or chronic (or long-term) disease.  Scar tissue prevents healthy liver tissue from doing what it’s supposed to – make protein, help fight infections, clean the blood, help digest food and store energy. Cirrhosis has many causes.

In the United States, the most common causes are chronic alcoholism and hepatitis. Nothing will make the scar tissue disappear, but treating the cause can keep it from getting worse. If too much scar tissue forms, you may need to consider a liver transplant.  To stop the scarring before it gets to that point, consider a liver cleansing program and a very healthy diet.

Colonic Polyps
A “polyp” is an extra piece of tissue that grows inside your body. Colonic polyps grow in the large intestine, or colon. Most polyps are not life-threatening.  However, some polyps may turn into cancer or already be cancer. To be safe, doctors remove polyps and test them. Anyone can get polyps, but some people are more likely to get them than others. You may have a greater chance of getting polyps if you:

• Are over age 50.

• Have had polyps before.

• Have a family member with polyps.

• Have a family history of colon cancer.

Most colon polyps do not cause symptoms, but if you have symptoms, they may include blood on your underwear or on toilet paper after a bowel movement, blood in your stool, or constipation or diarrhea that lasts more than a week.

Colorectal Cancer
Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. In the United States, it is the fourth most common cancer in both men and women.  If it is diagnosed early, it is often curable. It is more common in people over the age of 50, and the risk increases with age. You are also more likely to get it if you have:

• Polyps – growths inside the colon and rectum that may become cancerous.

• A diet that is high in fat.

• A family history or personal history of colorectal cancer.

• Crohn’s disease.

Symptoms may include blood in the stool, narrower stools, a change in bowel habits and general stomach discomfort. However, you may not experience symptoms right away, so testing is important. Everyone who is aged 50 or older should be screened for colorectal cancer.

Constipation
Ideally, you should have at least one bowel movement a day.   Constipation is passage of small amounts of hard, dry movements, usually fewer than three times a week. People who are constipated may find it difficult and painful to have a bowel movement. Other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish. Things you can do to prevent constipation include:

• Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber.

• Drinking plenty of water and other liquids.

• Getting enough exercise.

• Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to.

• Using laxatives only if your doctor says you should.

• Asking your doctor if medicines you take may cause constipation.

Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive system. It is part of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel diseases. It can occur in people of all ages but is most often diagnosed in young adults.

Common symptoms are pain in the abdomen and diarrhea. Bleeding from the rectum, weight loss, joint pain, skin problems and possibly a fever. Children with the disease may have growth problems. Other problems can include intestinal blockage and malnutrition.

Treatment may include medicines, nutrition supplements, surgery or a combination of these options. Some people have long periods of remission, when they are symptom free.

Diarrhea
Diarrhea means that you have loose, watery stools, sometimes more than three times in one day. You may also have cramps, bloating, nausea and an urgent need to have a bowel movement.

Causes of diarrhea include bacteria, viruses or parasites, certain medicines, food intolerances and diseases that affect the stomach, small intestine or colon. In most cases, no cause can be found. Although usually not harmful, diarrhea can become dangerous or sign of a more serious problem. You should talk to your doctor if you have a strong pain in your abdomen or rectum, a fever, blood in your stools, severe diarrhea for more than three days or symptoms of dehydration.

If your child has diarrhea, do not hesitate to call the doctor for advice. Diarrhea can be dangerous in children.

Gas
Most people produce about 1 to 4 pints a day and pass gas about 14 times a day. Passing gas through the mouth is called belching or burping. Passing gas through the rectum is called flatulence. Gas in the digestive tract comes from two sources: air that you swallow and the breakdown of undigested food by bacteria in the large intestine.

Foods that produce gas in one person may not cause gas in another. Drinking lots of water and non-fizzy drinks and chewing food more to lessen the amount of air you swallow when you eat can help reduce gas. For people with lactose intolerance, avoiding milk products will help.  Eating beans will lead to more gas.  Beans are good for you, but if you want to avoid what are called farts, avoid them.

Gastroenteritis
If you have ever had the “stomach flu,” what you probably had was gastroenteritis – not a type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites.  Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the U.S.  It spreads through contaminated food or water, and contact with an infected person.  The best prevention is frequent hand washing.

Avoid Dehydration
Symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever and chills. Most people recover with no treatment.  The most common problem with gastroenteritis is becoming dehydrated. This happens if you do not drink enough fluids to replace what you lose through vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration is common in babies, young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems.

GERD/Heartburn
Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when a muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly.  Symptoms can include feeling a burning in the chest or throat called heartburn. Another symptom is when you can taste stomach fluid in the back of the mouth.  This is acid indigestion.  It is called heartburn, because it feels like a burning sensation in your chest.  If you have these symptoms more than twice a week, you may have GERD. 

You may be able to lessen your symptoms by avoiding alcohol and spicy, fatty or acidic foods that trigger heartburn, eating smaller meals, not eating close to bedtime, losing weight if needed, and wearing loose-fitted clothing.

Many people who regularly eat too much will have regular heartburn and Tums on their bed stand.  To learn more about heartburn, read our article under that title.

Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or lower rectum. They are either inside the anus or under the skin around the anus. They often result from straining to have a bowel movement. Other factors include pregnancy, aging and chronic constipation or diarrhea.

The most common symptom of hemorrhoids inside the anus is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.  Symptoms usually go away within a few days. If you have rectal bleeding you should see a doctor. You need to make sure bleeding is not from a more serious condition such as colorectal cancer. Treatment may include warm baths and a cream or other medicine.

Since swollen veins are often the result of lack of potassium, a diet high in greens may be a big help.

Hernia
A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ bulges through a weak area of muscle.  Most hernias occur in the abdomen. Hernias are common. They can affect men, women and children. A combination of muscle weakness and straining, such as with heavy lifting, might contribute. Some people are born with weak abdominal muscles and may be more likely to get a hernia. The usual treatment for a hernia is surgery to repair the opening in the muscle wall. Untreated hernias can cause pain and health problems.

Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper part of the stomach bulges through an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. The diaphragm helps keep acid from coming up into the esophagus. When you have a hiatal hernia, it’s easier for the acid to come up. Hiatal hernias are common, especially in people over age 50. If you have symptoms some things you can do to lessen them are eating small meals, avoiding certain foods, not smoking or drinking alcohol, or by losing weight. Your doctor may recommend antacids or other medicines. If these options don’t help, you may need surgery.

Indigestion
Everyone has had an upset stomach at one time or another. It’s a feeling of discomfort or a burning feeling in your upper abdomen. You may have heartburn or belch and feel bloated. You may also feel nauseated, or even throw up. You might get indigestion from eating too much or too fast, eating high-fat foods or eating when you’re stressed. Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, using some medicines, being tired and having ongoing stress can also cause indigestion or make it worse. Avoiding foods and situations that seem to cause it may help. Because indigestion can be a sign of a more serious problem, see your health care provider if it lasts for more than two weeks or if you have severe pain or other symptoms.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating and a change in bowel habits.  Some people with the disorder have constipation.  Some have diarrhea. Some go back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines. IBS is a common disorder and happens more often in women than men. No one knows the exact cause of IBS. Most people diagnosed with IBS can control their symptoms with diet, stress management and medicine.

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance means that you cannot digest foods with lactose in them. Lactose is the sugar found in milk and foods made with milk. After eating foods with lactose in them, you may feel sick to your stomach. You may also have:

• Gas.

• Diarrhea.

• Swelling in your stomach.

Lactose intolerance is not serious. Eating less food with lactose, or using pills or drops to help you digest lactose usually helps.

Nausea
Nausea is an uneasy or unsettled feeling in the stomach that can give you an urge to vomit.  Nausea and vomiting, or throwing up, are not diseases. They can be symptoms of many different conditions. These include morning sickness during pregnancy, infections, migraine headaches, motion sickness, food poisoning, cancer chemotherapy or other medicines.

Peptic Ulcer
A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach. A burning stomach pain is the most common symptom. The pain:

• May come and go for a few days or weeks.

• May bother you more when your stomach is empty.

• Usually goes away after you eat.

Stress and spicy foods do not necessarily cause ulcers, but can make them worse. Peptic ulcers will get worse if left untreated. Treatment may include medicines to block stomach acids or antibiotics to kill ulcer-causing bacteria. Not smoking and avoiding alcohol can help. Surgery may be necessary for chronic ulcers that won’t heal.

Stomach Disorders
The stomach is an organ between the esophagus and the small intestine. It is where digestion of protein begins. The stomach has three tasks. It stores swallowed food, then mixes the food with stomach acids, then it sends the mixture to the small intestine. Indigestion and heartburn are common digestive problems. You can relieve many stomach problems with over-the-counter medicines and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding fatty foods or eating more slowly.

Swallowing Disorders
If you have a swallowing disorder, you may have difficulty swallowing and may also have pain while swallowing. Some people may be completely unable to swallow or may have trouble swallowing liquids, foods or saliva. This makes it very difficult to eat.  Often, it can be challenging to take in enough calories and fluids to nourish your body.

Vomiting
For vomiting in children and adults, avoid solid foods until vomiting has stopped for at least six hours. Then work back to a normal diet. Drink small amounts of clear liquids to avoid dehydration. Nausea and vomiting are common. Usually, they are not serious. You should see a doctor immediately if you suspect poisoning or if you have

• Vomited for longer than 24 hours

• Blood in the vomit

• Severe abdominal pain

• Headache and stiff neck

• Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, infrequent urination or dark urine

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