Digestive disorders can mean and refer to a variety of conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract. These disorders may range from minor conditions to severe and even potentially life-threatening illness and you must visit a gastroenterologist in bangalore at the earliest.
There may be two things if you’re experiencing abdominal pain, nausea or bloating. Either there may be a virus that will go away in time, or it is a sign of a gastrointestinal condition that requires immediate medical intervention or you need to make certain changes in your lifestyle. In either cases, you must consult a doctor to identify the exact root cause of your symptoms. Here are a few common digestive diseases you may have:
1. Gastritis
Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It can be caused due to several factors, but the most common are infectious agents, especially helicobacter pylori, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and alcohol.
Some common symptoms of gastritis are as follows:
● nausea and vomiting
● excessive bloating, burping and belching
● complete loss of appetite
● abdominal pain (intermittent or constant burning sensation, or a gripping and gnawing pain)
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, avoid eating spicy, fatty and fried foods. Alcohol and coffee may increase the severity of symptoms.
The treatment of gastritis depends on what caused it. For gastritis associated with of H. pylori, you may need a combination of antibiotics and acid suppressants. If the cause of your gastritis is drugs like aspirin, NSAIDs and alcohol, you may need an acid suppressant. Whatever the treatment, you must always stop consumption of alcohol and any medication that is responsible for the gastritis.
2. Peptic ulcer
Gastritis is often associated with peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are sores or inflammations that tend to develop in the lining of the stomach, lower oesophagus, or first part of the small intestine due to H. pylori, aspirin and NSAIDs.
The most common symptoms of peptic ulcer are:
● upper abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain or bloating
● loss of weight
● sudden loss of appetite
● nausea and vomiting
● bloody or dark stools
Most peptic ulcers can be healed with proper treatment. In some untreated condition, it leads to serious health complications such as a perforated ulcer, a bleeding ulcer and more that makes it difficult for food to pass through your digestive tract.
3. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the stomach contents move backwards or reflux from the stomach into the oesophagus. Reflux is a normal process that may happen in people who have no symptoms of acid reflux and GERD happens if you already had episodes of acid with troublesome symptoms. These include:
● Heart burn
● chest pain
● regurgitation
● nausea or vomiting
● difficulty or pain while swallowing
● hoarseness of voice and sore throat
● cough
Acid reflux mostly occurs in patients with GERD, compared to those who do not have symptoms of this disease.
Fortunately, the symptoms can be controlled through lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and cutting down on caffeine, eating less fat and losing significant amount of weight. If antacids and anti-reflux medication fail to work in certain cases, surgery remains the last resort.
4. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is part of a group of gastrointestinal disorders known as functional bowel disorders. It is a common problem associated with either diarrhea or constipation, and the discomfort is usually relieved after proper bowel movements.
Some IBS patients may have only constipation or both. Even though the cause of IBS is unknown, it is often triggered by an episode of gastrointestinal infection or food poisoning. The immune system in the gut is activated during the infection, and produces cells and proteins that increase the sensitivity of the nerves in the gut, causing the gut to sense normal amounts of gas and movements as bloating and pain.
Stress and anxiety will only increase IBS symptoms. Food intolerances are often found in IBS patients but food allergy does not cause IBS.
Doctors managing IBS patients usually go through a history of the abdominal symptoms first and then ask for simple blood and stool tests to be done to rule out the common disorders. Treatment of IBS does not require long-term medications; it aims at symptom relief and is known to be easily managed by modifying the person’s diet and lifestyle. When it comes to diet, avoiding foods and other events that trigger symptoms is the solution.
There are some common foods that may aggravate IBS, these include dairy products, fried foods, indigestible sugars and beans. A few natural foods such as ginger, peppermint and chamomile have been found to help reduce IBS symptoms. The doctor may further prescribe medication to reduce loose stools, constipation and bloating, as well as reduce sensitivity of the intestines.
5. Chronic diarrhoea
Chronic diarrhoea is commonly defined as frequent loose stools that last for more than 4 weeks. The common cause can be IBS and even medicines including antibiotics, painkillers and certain diabetic medications.
In adults, food intolerance may also sometimes cause chronic diarrhoea. Lactose intolerance is a common factor as dairy products lead to bloating. Both non-intestinal and intestinal diseases can cause chronic diarrhoea.
If you suffer from chronic diarrhoea, your doctor may suggest you blood tests, stool tests and more, to diagnose your condition and treat accordingly.
6. Constipation
If you have a decreased stool frequency, hard stools or feel the need to strain when passing stool, you may be suffering from constipation. While it seems very normal, it can be painful and there are several causes of this condition. The majority of patients with chronic constipation are treated with important changes in lifestyle, adequate diet and fluid intake, and if necessary, medication.
Non-intestinal diseases associated with constipation include thyroid hormone insufficiency and diabetes. Some medication including painkillers and anti-depressants may also cause constipation. Diagnosis of constipation also requires blood tests, stool tests, colonoscopy and if needed, measurement of anal muscle function.
Management by modifying diet and lifestyle, increasing physical activity and increased fluid intake along with taking natural foods that may help your condition. Over the counter laxatives are helpful but is best to take when prescribed.
7. Inflammatory bowel diseases
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Patients with ulcerative colitis develop ulcers only in the large intestine whereas, patients with Crohn’s disease develop ulcers in the gut or anywhere between the mouth and the anus.
Symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloody stools, fever, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. In some patients, parts of the body other than the intestines may become inflamed. It is not known what exactly causes IBD but is thought that an environmental factor may affect the gut immune system and causes inflammation and ulcers in the intestines of people.
There is no cure for IBD, as it is a chronic disease, however, it can be controlled with diagnosis and ideal treatment.
Conclusion
If you experience any of the above digestive disorders, consult a gastroenterologist with the help of MediBuddy.
MediBuddy is also available on Mobile app to book Health checks, lab test and Doctor consultation