Common Diseases of the Digestive System

We all know about the importance of a healthy digestive system in human body. The digestive system of a human body comprises the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. These hollow organs are interconnected to form the digestive system that helps the body in breaking down the food we eat and absorb the nutrients in it. Diseases that affect any of the above said organs are classified as digestive diseases. This article will provide you with some of the common diseases of the digestive system.

Common Digestive Diseases

As mentioned above, any of the organs that is a part of the digestive system can get affected with diseases that are classified as digestive diseases. Digestive system can be affected with a number of diseases. While, some of them affect a particular organ or a part of that organ, some others may affect more than one organ. The following is a list of digestive system diseases, that are commonly found in humans.

• Ulcer is one of the common diseases of the digestive system. Ulcers are open sores on lesions that can develop on the walls of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. This condition can be caused by various factors, like, stress, lifestyle, medications, etc. Duodenal ulcers are the most common form, which is followed by stomach ulcers.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is one of the most common diseases of the digestive system and the characteristic feature of this condition is heartburn. Otherwise known as acid reflux disease, this condition is caused by the abnormal reflux of the contents in the stomach (including acids) to the esophagus.
• Gastritis is another digestive system disease that is caused by bacterial infection, regular use of medications, like, NSAIDs, excess alcohol consumption, etc. Gastritis can cause bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion and abdominal pain.
• When the food movement from the stomach to the small intestine gets too slow or stops totally, then the condition is called gastroparesis. The symptoms of gastroparesis include nausea, heartburn, upper abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating, etc. This condition is caused by the malfunctioning of the stomach muscles and is treated with medications to stimulate those muscles.
• Celiac disease or gluten intolerance is another among the common digestive system diseases and is a type of autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine. In people with this condition, the immune system reacts to gluten in some food products (like wheat), causing damage to the small intestine walls, thereby hindering nutrient absorption. Celiac disease symptoms include diarrhea, pain, bloating, pain, anemia, etc.
• Common diseases of the digestive system includes Crohn's disease, which is characterized by the inflammation of the walls of the digestive tract. While, the intestines are found to be mainly affected by Crohn's disease, even other parts of the digestive tract may develop this condition. Symptoms include ulcers, diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in stools, etc.
• Another such inflammatory condition of the intestine is ulcerative colitis, that is mainly found to affect the large intestine. This is also a type of inflammatory bowel disease and is characterized by ulcers, blood in stools, abdominal pain, etc. Untreated ulcerative colitis can lead to perforation of colon and other complications.
• Diverticulosis is a condition that affects the large intestine or colon and is characterized by formation of pouches on the colon wall. These pouches bulge outwards, causing pain and discomfort. Along with bloating and constipation. Inflammation of these pouches is called diverticulitis that can cause fever, nausea, severe pain, etc.
• Constipation is one of the common digestive system diseases and disorders. It can be caused by many different factors, like, lifestyle, diet, medications and medical conditions, etc. It can be defined as infrequent bowel movements (less than three times a week), along with hard to pass dry stools. Constipation can be relieved with laxatives. Lifestyle changes and treatment of the underlying problem can relieve this condition, which is among the most common diseases of the digestive system.
• One of the digestive system disorders that affect the rectum is rectal prolapse, wherein the walls of the rectum bulge outward through the anal opening. This condition is categorized into three types, as per the degree of prolapse. Causes for this condition can be different, but, old age and constipation are very common among them. In most cases, rectal prolapse treatment is done with surgery.
• Anal fissures are cracks or cuts on the skin that lines the lower part of the rectum, called anus. This condition is characterized by rectal bleeding and pain. It is mainly caused by hard stools, that are difficult to expel. Other causes for anal fissures include anal sex, syphilis, HIV, etc. Most of the acute anal fissures disappear within a few days, chronic ones may take two to four weeks to subside. Some of them may require surgery too.

The above said is some of the common diseases of the digestive system. There are many other diseases and disorders that can affect the digestive system. If you go through the list of common infectious diseases, you can come across numerous conditions related to this system. This include cholera, typhoid fever, staphylococcal food poisoning, bacillary dysentery, salmonellosis, etc. You may conduct a research and find out more about the other diseases and disorders of the digestive system.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.