Disorders of the digestive system are not uncommon. Perhaps all of us have experienced symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, heartburn, and flatulence. In this lesson I will outline and briefly describe some of the common disorders and others that are more severe.
Vomiting: Involuntary expulsion of contents from the stomach through the mouth. It may be caused by contaminated food, medication, motion sickness, or severe pain.
Diarrhea: Frequent passage of loose, watery bowel occurring about 3 or more times a day. It can lead to dehydration and loss of electrolytes. Therefore it’s important to drink lots of water if you are experiencing diarrhea.
Constipation: Having no stool for 2 or more days. To prevent this condition, eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and at least 6 servings of whole grains. Also, it helps to stay hydrated.
Belching: This is generally caused by swallowing air. To minimize this problem, eat slowly. Also, avoid chewing gum, sucking on straw, and drinking carbonated beverages.
Flatulence: This condition occurs due to gases formed from undigested food fermentation in the large intestine. It consists of nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide is the smallest component, but is responsible for the foul odor of the gas you pass through your anus. Eating foods that are rich in sulfur will increase the stinky smell. These include food such as cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, milk, eggs, beans and garlic.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Caused by relaxing of the esophageal sphincter located at the entrance of the stomach. This causes gastric juices to enter the esophagus causing heartburn. This condition typically reoccurs more than 2 times per week. To reduce recurrence, it is best to sit upright for at least 3 hours following a meal. Conditions that may predispose you to GERD include smoking, obesity and some medications.
Peptic Ulcer: Occurs when an area in the gastrointestinal tract is eroded away by hydrochloric acid and pepsin. It generally occurs in the stomach and duodenum. It is caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori. However, prolonged use of painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin is also a risk factor. These medications have been found to inhibit production of the protective lining of the stomach.
Food Intolerance: A gastrointestinal condition associated with gas and abdominal pain due to a negative reaction to certain foods, for example milk. Intolerance to milk is called lactose intolerance. It occurs due to a lack of the enzyme lactase to break down lactose sugar.
Food Allergy: An immune reaction that occurs when the body identifies certain foods are being toxic when they are not. There are eight allergens, namely, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nut, fish, shell fish, egg and milk. Allergic reaction to food may include hives, redness of skin, itchy mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, nasal congestion, sneezing and coughing. Severe symptoms may include throat-swelling, difficulty breathing, turning blue, a drop in blood pressure, chest pain, and loss of consciousness. Individuals that experience these severe symptoms are required to always travel with an epipen. This is a device that contains epinephrine (adrenalin) which is increases blood flow during a severe allergy episode called anaphylactic shock.
Celiac Disease: An immune reaction to gluten from wheat, rye and barley. It specifically affects the small intestine by eroding the villi. This causes malabsorption and malnutrition, which further leads to nutrient deficiencies. Presently 1:133 Americans have this disease. The chance of you having the disease is greater if you have someone in your family who is affected. Common signs of the disease include cramping, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: These are diseases that cause inflammation of the digestive system. There are generally two types, that is, Crohn’s Disease which affects the ileum of the small intestine, and Ulcerative Colitis which affects the colon. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, fever, and weight loss.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A condition characterized by abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Some predisposing factors include overeating, and high consumption of certain foods such as fat, milk, alcohol, caffeine and artificial sweeteners. IBS can be controlled by consuming smaller food portions, avoiding foods that exacerbate the symptoms, drinking enough water, and consistently consuming foods that are rich in fiber such as pulses and whole grains.
Colon Cancer: Cancer can occur anywhere along the GI tract. However, the most common cancer of the GI tract is colon cancer. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, consumption of red and processed meat, inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, and genetic factors. If you are 50 years old or older you should be doing an annual stool test to look for signs of the disease. A colonoscopy is also recommended every 5 to 10 years after 50.
