{"id":841,"date":"2022-10-26T10:39:12","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T14:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/?p=841"},"modified":"2022-10-26T10:39:12","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T14:39:12","slug":"common-digestive-disorders-and-diseases-t2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/common-digestive-disorders-and-diseases-t2\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Common Digestive Disorders And Diseases"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Technology Networks<\/p><\/div>\n

When it comes to a person\u2019s digestive system, there are a number of issues that arise which can be quite uncomfortable to deal with such as gas, stomachaches, heartburn, acidity, and many more. Although many of these issues can be resolved on their own, others \u2013 especially chronic conditions \u2013 can cause disorders that affect your overall quality of life.<\/h6>\n
The digestive systems is in charge of breaking down the food into nutrients like fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. These are absorbed into the bloodstream, which the body uses as energy, and for repair and growth, while any unused materials are expelled as waste.<\/h6>\n
According to GI Alliance<\/a>, \u201cEach year 62 million Americans are diagnosed with a digestive disorder. The incidence and prevalence of most digestive diseases increase with age.\u201d Moreover, for those that cannot be treated with at-home care may end up getting worse, and ask a result, they will need to seek out medical attention.<\/h6>\n
Here are 16 of the most common digestive disorders and diseases described below.<\/strong><\/h6>\n

1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve ever had heartburn or suffered from acid reflux more than two to three times a week, then you may actually have GERD<\/a>. GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition where the stomach acid frequently flows back in the esophagus \u2013 the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. When left untreated or when this happens repeatedly, it can cause serious damage to the esophagus. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)<\/a>, around 20% of the U.S. population suffer from GERD. Although GERD treatment usually requires certain medications, and lifestyle and diet changes, other ways to lessen heartburn and acid reflux from occurring in the first place is to eat smaller meals, avoid particular foods like caffeine, spicy foods, citrus and other high acid foods, and not lying down for at least two hours after eating.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

2. Stomach Flu or Gastroenteritis<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Homage<\/p><\/div>\n

Gastroenteritis<\/a>, which is often referred to as stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach, and small and large intestines of the body. Although the generic name includes the word flu, it doesn\u2019t actually have anything to do with the flu virus. There are a number of other viruses that cause stomach flu, which include noroviruses, rotaviruses, sapoviruses, adenoviruses, and astroviruses. While they may vary in name and description, most of these cause the same symptoms, like stomach pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the United States alone, viral gastroenteritis from norovirus, which is the most common in stomach flu cases, affects between 19 to 21 million people every year<\/a>. Although most cases clear up on their own, patients need to watch out for dehydration during times of extreme fluid loss.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

3. Peptic Ulcer Disease and Gastritis<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Patient Pop<\/p><\/div>\n

Peptic Ulcer Disease<\/a> (PUD) is an ulcer or open sore that forms in the lining of the stomach or upper portion of the small intestine. As for gastritis, this is when the stomach lining becomes inflamed. The reason why they tend to get grouped together is because one of the most common causes for both of these is a bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori<\/a>. The symptoms often associated with these disorders include nausea and stomach pain, with around 15 million American adults<\/a> affected by PUD annually. Although most ulcers heal with treatment, many patients need to take antacids and antibiotics to help treat the infection, but when the ulcer refuses to stop bleeding, some cases require a clamp or possible cauterization to treat it properly.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

4. Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Healthline<\/p><\/div>\n

Celiac disease and gluten intolerance are often grouped together since both conditions have an adverse response to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. As for Celiac disease<\/a>, it is an autoimmune disorder that makes people negatively react to gluten, eventually causing life-long damage to the lining of the small intestines, as well as malabsorption that causes the inability to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream. As for gluten intolerance<\/a>, when a person ingests gluten, they have negative reactions like bloating and belly pain, but it does not cause long-term harm. Symptoms for both are quite similar, including bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. While gluten sensitivity affects around 6% of the U.S. population, celiac disease is rarer at less than 1%.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

5. Constipation<\/h2>\n
\"\"

EE Health<\/p><\/div>\n

Constipation<\/a> is a health condition where a person has less than three bowel movements per week. Other symptoms include stools that are hard, lumpy, or dry, difficulty and pain when trying to pass stools, as well as straining when attempting a bowel movement. Some of the more common causes of constipation are dehydration, a lack of fiber in your diet, as well as health problems and particular medications that tend to slow down the digestive system. Chronic constipation, which is long-term constipation, is also one of the more common conditions in the U.S., affecting around 63 million people<\/a>. Constipation can usually be resolved with simple treatments such as increased fluid and fiber intake and exercise. Although sometimes laxatives and stool softeners may be used, they shouldn\u2019t be used as a long-term solution to the problem.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

6. Hemorrhoids<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Dr. Axe<\/p><\/div>\n

Hemorrhoids<\/a> are painful and swollen blood vessels in the anal canal, usually caused by chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, sitting on the toilet for prolonged periods of time, and pregnancy. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include pain, itching and bleeding after a movement. Hemorrhoids are also considered quite common, affecting around 1 in every 20 people in the United States alone. Moreover, at least half of the population aged 50 and above complain of hemorrhoids. While this condition can be considered quite embarrassing for some, it is something that needs to be discussed with a healthcare practitioner to get the proper diagnosis and treatment. While some may be able to help lessen their hemorrhoids through a change of diet and lifestyle, or through both oral and topical medications and suppositories, others prefer to have them surgically removed by a doctor when they refuse to go away.<\/h6>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

7. <\/span>Chronic Diarrhea<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"\"

Greatist<\/p><\/div>\n

Chronic diarrhea<\/a> is explained as having three or more loose and watery stools a day for at least four weeks or more. Other symptoms also include stomach pain, cramping, nausea, bloating, and the urgency to go many times a day. There are a number of causes for this disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, malabsorption syndromes, and others. This disorder can be incredibly inconvenient, embarrassing, as well as have the ability to majorly affect one\u2019s quality of life. Thankfully, there are normally very effective treatments to approach and manage the issue, most of which need to be discussed with a medical practitioner.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

8. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Guthrie<\/p><\/div>\n

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)<\/a> is a long term inflammation that occurs in the digestive tract. Two of the most common types of IBD are Crohn\u2019s disease and ulcerative colitis, which we will discuss further on in this article. Common symptoms of IBD are diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, blood in the stool, fatigue, bloody stool, and unintended weight loss. While the exact cause of IBD is not clear, what is apparent is that it tends to be a result of a viral, bacterial, or allergic response to something that starts inflammation within the gut. IBD also affects around 3 million people within the United States alone. Most experts advise their patients to follow a low fiber diet if diarrhea becomes a problem, as well as avoiding dairy products for lactose intolerant patients. Others may require medications or even surgery, depending on whether there are obstructions or abscesses within the affected areas.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

9. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Woodland Gastroenterology<\/p><\/div>\n

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)<\/a> is explained as a group of symptoms that affect one\u2019s digestive system due to a breakdown between the brain and the gut properly working together. Many people tend to confuse IBS with IBD, mostly because they have many of the same symptoms. These include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, excessive gas and even mucus in the stool. Unlike IBD, IBS does not harm the digestive tract nor does it raise one\u2019s risk for colon cancer. Some of the more common factors that may play a role when it comes to IBS are stress, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, bacterial infections in the digestive system and food intolerances or sensitivities. Around 12% of people<\/a> diagnosed with IBS in the United States, treatment may include lessening stress, avoiding food that causes symptoms, getting regular exercise and sleep, taking probiotics and eating smaller fiber-rich diets.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

10. Lactose Intolerance<\/h2>\n
\"\"

KeanHealth<\/p><\/div>\n

People that have lactose intolerance<\/a> lack the ability to fully digest the lactose or sugar found in milk, leading to lactose malabsorption. When they consume lactose, the usual symptoms they get include nausea and sometimes vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and stomach cramps. While these symptoms are not incredibly alarming, they can be very uncomfortable. Treatment usually includes the removal of food products with lactose from your daily diet or taking supplements that allow them to take small doses of lactose every so often. But if left untreated, a lactose intolerance may lead to other health conditions such as IBS.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

11. Crohn\u2019s Disease<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Medical News Today<\/p><\/div>\n

Crohn\u2019s disease<\/a> happens to fall under the inflammatory bowel disease category. People with Crohn\u2019s have chronic inflammation of their gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea, blood in the stool, fatigue, stomach aches and cramps, and weight loss. Because it\u2019s a life-long condition, symptoms may come and go every few months, or they can be constant, making it difficult to live a normal life, causing depression and anxiety in some cases. Most treatment\u2019s include medication that reduces inflammation within the digestive system, medications or injections that stop the inflammation from recurring, or even surgery to remove a small portion of the digestive tract.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

12. Gallstones<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Bad Gut<\/p><\/div>\n

The gallbladder happens to be a small organ in the upper right abdomen that sits below the liver. This pouch-like organ stores bile to aid in one\u2019s digestion. Sometimes, gallstones<\/a> form within the gallbladder when certain substances in the bile, such as cholesterol, harden. Although some of these gallstones resolve on their own, there are times when they can cause intense pain or an infection when they block the bile duct. Common symptoms are fever, nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea, itchy skin, jaundice \u2013 or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, chills, loss of appetite and confusion. Around 25 million people<\/a> in the United States have gallstones, but not all of them require major treatment. Although there are also nonsurgical treatments for gallstones, some patients require surgery to remove them.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

13. Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis<\/h2>\n

\n

\"\"

Coreem<\/p><\/div>\n

The pancreas happens to be an organ located within the abdomen, and it plays a key role in converting the food we eat into the fuel we need to feed the body\u2019s cells. Two of its main functions is to help in digestion and regulate blood sugar. Pancreatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the pancreas due to the pancreatic enzymes damaging the pancreatic tissue. It can also be acute<\/a>, meaning it\u2019s an active form where symptoms come on suddenly, usually accompanied by extreme stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, tender and swollen abdomen, and pain that gets worse after eating, just to name a few. As for chronic pancreatitis<\/a>, it\u2019s a long-lasting condition that comes from repeated damage to the pancreas, not from acute inflammation, with very similar symptoms, as well as excessive thirst, fatigue, and changes in skin color, oily stools and some others. Some causes of both types of pancreatitis include reactions to certain medications, complications from infections or surgery, injury to the abdomen, as well as pancreatic cancer, but regardless of causes, pancreatitis should always be checked by a doctor to properly diagnose and find treatment for either type because when left untreated, both can be fatal.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

14. Diverticula Disease<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Cidrap<\/p><\/div>\n

Diverticular disease<\/a> actually includes two different conditions. One is diverticulosis, which is when small pouches form in the wall of the colon, while the second is diverticulitis, when the pouches become inflamed, mostly in the lower portion of the large intestine. Some symptoms include extreme abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, bloating, abdominal tenderness, constipation, and sometimes, diarrhea. Over 30% of people between the ages of 50 to 59 years<\/a> suffer from diverticulosis, while 5% of that number eventually develop diverticulitis. Most mild cases of diverticulitis can be treated via dietary changes, antibiotics and rest. But more severe cases, especially for recurring cases, may require surgery to properly treat the issue.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

15. Ulcerative Colitis<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Lirp<\/p><\/div>\n

Ulcerative colitis (UC)<\/a> is another disease that falls under the IBD group of conditions. It causes irritation and ulcers to form within the large intestine, or the colon. It usually begins in the rectum then spreads into the colon. Although symptoms may come and go, sometimes they can be constant as well. They include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, bloody stool or even pus in one\u2019s bowel movements. When these symptoms are very adverse, they may even wake you up in the middle of the night with the urgency to use the toilet. Although lifestyle, dietary changes and medications often help treat this condition, sometimes surgery is required for more severe cases.<\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a016.\u00a0Liver Disease<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Kauvery Hospital<\/p><\/div>\n

Liver disease<\/a> is an umbrella term that covers a variety of medical conditions including Hepatitis A, B and C, autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, liver cancer, and many other issues. It\u2019s causes are also numerous, induced by many health issues such as an infection, obesity, alcohol abuse, inherited conditions, and others. The liver is considered the second-largest organ and it\u2019s the key organ when it comes to separating nutrients and waste as they move through the digestive system. It also produces bile, which is a substance that works to carry out any toxins from the body while helping with digestion. Liver disease affects around 1 in every 10 Americans<\/a>, which is about 30 million in total. When left untreated, liver disease is often painful, debilitating and in many cases, fatal.<\/h6>\n
If you believe that you suffer from any of these of digestive conditions or diseases, make an appointment with your doctor immediately to get examined for a proper diagnosis and if needed, the right treatment course to take.<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When it comes to a person\u2019s digestive system, there are a number of issues that arise which can be quite uncomfortable to deal with such as gas, stomachaches, heartburn, acidity, and many more. Although many of these issues can be resolved on their own, others \u2013 especially chronic conditions \u2013 can cause disorders that affect your overall quality of life. The digestive systems is in charge of breaking down the food into nutrients like fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. These are absorbed into the bloodstream, which the body uses as energy, and for repair and growth, while any unused materials are <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":825,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/841"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=841"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/841\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=841"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}