Over the past few years, the rapid rise in gastrointestinal disease cases has sparked growing concerns about overall health. The digestive system handles digestion and toxin removal. Meanwhile, gastrointestinal concerns and many other health issues are increasing including genetic inclination, ecological effects, lifestyle changes, and food habits, are to blame.
Moreover, gastrointestinal diseases can lead to ongoing stomach pain and discomfort throughout life. People generally ignore problems related to the stomach, such as indigestion and bloating, but its progression may end with severe health problems. Some common gastrointestinal diseases and their treatments are mentioned in the below section.
An Overview of Gastrointestinal Diseases
Gastrointestinal diseases are a broad group of health conditions that affect the internal body system involved in digestion. They can be categorized into two major categories: structural and functional gastrointestinal diseases.
Structural Gastrointestinal Diseases:
Structural gastrointestinal diseases are divided by visible changes in the digestive system. Ignore medical conditions that cause other health issues such as:
● Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis
● Peptic Ulcers
● Pancreatitis
● Hernias
● Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Ulcerative Colitis
● Gallstones
Functional Gastrointestinal Diseases
Functional gastrointestinal diseases are defined by interruptions in the digestive system functioning without any internal system abnormalities. Some functional gastrointestinal diseases are:
● Functional dyspepsia
● Functional constipation
● Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
● Functional abdominal pain syndrome
● Functional diarrhoea
Understanding the Root Causes of Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders can have a lot of causes, including:
Diet: A diet plan that contains gluten, is low in fiber and is high in processed foods can lead to gastrointestinal disease problems. Additionally, consuming polluted food and water can contribute to other health diseases such as dysentery and cholera.
Lifestyle Choices: Poor sleep, an inactive lifestyle, and anxiety can lead to gastrointestinal issues or amplify the existing conditions.
Infections: Bacterial and viral infections in the digestive system can cause gastrointestinal diseases.
Structural Abnormalities: There are some structural issues with the digestive system, such as hernias, that can also cause gastrointestinal diseases.
Autoimmune disorders: Health conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which consist of an overactive immune system, can harm the gastrointestinal tract.
Medications: Some medications, like antibiotics, can also disbalance the gut bacteria and cause gastrointestinal diseases.
Genetics: There are a lot of gastrointestinal diseases such as coeliac, which comes from genetics.
Common Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Disorders
The gastrointestinal disease symptoms can vary from person to person and also depend on the stage of the disease and the affected area of the internal system. Some usual symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn and acid reflux
- Blood in the stool
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unintentional weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
Now, let’s discuss some common gastrointestinal diseases that can be treatable:
Constipation
Constipation is a very common health problem identified by irregular bowel movements. Several reasons, such as ignoring health conditions, lack of exercise, and lack of nutrients, can cause it. Moreover, constipation symptoms include the sensation of incomplete evacuation and hard and dry stool.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disease that manifests as bloating, changes in bowel movements, and stomach pain. It is usually caused by food habits and anxiety and can majorly affect quality of life.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the anal canal that become inflamed or swollen. There are some common hemorrhoid symptoms such as discomfort in the anal area, rectal itching, pain, and bleeding.
Anal Fissures
Anal fissures are cuts in the anal area causing heavy bleeding and pain and experiencing difficult bowel movements. Anal fissures are the cause of constipation.
Perianal Abscesses
Perianal abscesses affect the rectum area and can cause itching, swelling, and pain. The reason behind the development of perianal abscesses is a bacterial infection.
Anal Fistula
An anal fistula is a link between the anus and the anal canal. It can cause drainage, pain, and infections.
Cancer and Colon Polyps
Development can happen in the rectal lining while some can convert into cancer. Therefore, regular monitoring is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment.
Proactive Steps to Prevent Gastrointestinal Issues
Some gastrointestinal diseases cannot be completely preventable. However, there are a few steps individuals can follow to reduce the risk and balance a healthy digestive system.
Plan a healthy diet: Adding fiber-rich foods to your meals, like grains, vegetables, and fruits, can help ease bowel movements and lower the risk of gastrointestinal problems.
Keep Your Body Hydrated: Drinking a sufficient amount of water can help prevent bloating and constipation-related issues.
Regular exercise: Daily exercising is important to balance a healthy digestive system and lower the possibility of gastrointestinal problems like IBS and bowel movements.
Stress Management: Anxiety attacks can not only disturb the functioning of the digestive system but also your overall health. Therefore, regularly practicing stress management methods like meditation can be effective.
Follow Hygiene Practices: Proper hygiene can prevent the spread of bacterial gastrointestinal diseases.
Avoid Tobacco and Excessive Alcohol: Alcohol and smoking can heighten the risk of various gastrointestinal problems, such as pancreatic disorders and stomach ulcers.
Effective Gastrointestinal Disease Treatments
The treatment methods for gastrointestinal diseases depend on the individual’s health condition, its cause, and the level of signs. Below we have mentioned some common treatment methods:
Lifestyle improvements: Changes in diet, such as consuming more fiber, can help manage several gastrointestinal problems. Anxiety management, quality sleep, and regular physical exercise can also be helpful.
Medications: Doctors-recommended medications can aid in identifying symptoms, reducing inflammation, or treating root causes.
Surgical techniques: Professionals may advise surgical treatments to treat health complications such as hemorrhoid removal surgery or hernia repair surgery.
Integrative therapies: In some cases, patients may experience relief from gastrointestinal disease through alternative therapies like herbal remedies or yoga and meditation.
Conclusion
Gastrointestinal diseases include various disorders, emphasizing the necessity of extensive treatment methods. If you are experiencing the symptoms of gastrointestinal disease, consult your doctor immediately for an effective treatment.
This concludes our blog on gastrointestinal diseases. Hope you find it beneficial to understand gastrointestinal issues better. Meanwhile, early diagnosis and medication can make a huge difference in the results of your overall health.