Digestive System Disorders

As most of us are aware, the digestive system of our body coverts the food that we consume, into nutrients required by the body cells, and the parts of the food which are not required, are converted into waste products. Several factors may become the cause of interruption of this process and create disturbances, which manifest themselves through various problems of the digestive system. The most common of these have been explained in the following.

Diseases that Affect the Digestive System

Diarrhea
Among the many digestive disorders, diarrhea is the most common one. Acute diarrhea has been known to be the second most common cause of infant deaths, worldwide. Loose or liquid bowel movements, occurring more than three times a day, is referred to as diarrhea. Abdominal cramps, bloating or nausea are the common symptoms.

Constipation
Uncomfortable or infrequent bowel movements is a characteristic symptom of a person suffering from constipation. Bowel movements may be less than three times a week and passage of hard, dry feces happens. The affected person may have a constant feeling of being bloated and sluggishness.

Stomach Cancer
A severe disease of the digestive system is stomach cancer. Foods that are high in starch and low in fiber could be major contributes to the onset of this disease. Symptoms include, feeling of fullness even after having a small meal, heartburn, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and feeling bloated after eating.

Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is an ongoing disorder of the stomach, which involves inflammation of the digestive tract. Important symptoms to watch out for are, pain in the lower right area, weight loss, skin problems and fever. Rectal bleeding and arthritis may also occur in some cases. This disease may affect development and growth in small children.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea are the characteristic symptoms, which are noticeable in a person who is suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These symptoms, however, have a varying range from person to person. IBS is known to be one of the most common disorders of the digestive system in the United States of America; affecting one in every five people.

Gastritis
At one time or the other, every person suffers from gastririts (inflammation of the lining of the stomach). Abdominal pain, upset stomach, abdominal bloating, vomiting, feeling of fullness and burning sensation in the upper abdomen, are its symptoms. Belching, nausea may also occur, other than some severe symptoms such as blood in the vomit or black stools.

Celiac Disease
A heredity disease of the digestive system, celiac disease disturbs the process of absorption of nutrients from food. This happens, as the disease damages the small intestine. This damage is triggered by the consumption of protein gluten which is found in bread, cookies and foods containing wheat, rye or barley. Symptoms aren't many, except bloating, abdominal pain and intermittent diarrhea.

Diverticular Disease
Some people suffer from formation of small pouches or bulges (known as diverticula ) on the wall of their bowel. Constipation, bloating and abdominal pain are the symptoms. A low-fiber diet is assumed to result in diverticular disease.

Treatment will vary according to the cause of the disorder/disease and its nature. So, once you come across any symptoms that have been cited above, make an appointment with your doctor, without going for self-medication.