A digestive disorder or problem is also often known as gastrointestinal disorders in proper medical terms. This can be defined as a class of conditions which may include irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, anal fissure, hemorrhoids, anal fistulas, perianal infection, and a range of other conditions. These conditions cause a significant level of distress to the stomach and overall health of an individual. Most of these conditions can be treated easily by a medical health professional. Some of these conditions can even be treated at home. However, it is important for an individual to remember that almost all of these conditions can be prevented or minimized by following a healthy lifestyle. To gain a better understanding of this topic, there are some of the most common digestive problems which are mentioned below.
- Acid Reflux
This is one of the most common digestive problems which many people suffer from all across the globe. This condition is primarily caused by the stomach acid or bile which rises up and irritates the lining of the food pipe. Suffering from acid reflux every now and then is not a big cause of worry but if an individual experiences acid reflux almost twice a week or more than that then he or she may be suffering from the acid reflux disease which is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux can be caused due to a number of reasons. Some of those reasons are being obese, eating a very heavy meal, lying down on your back right after finishing a meal, smoking, pregnancy, taking certain types of medications, and many other causes.
- Peptic Ulcers
This is another common digestive problem which individuals can suffer from and this condition is often characterized by sores which can develop in the lower esophagus, the lining of the stomach, or the small intestine. This digestive problem is most commonly caused due to inflammation resulted from the presence of a bacteria named H. pylori. Another common cause for this digestive condition could also be the erosions of stomach acids. There also three different types of peptic ulcers. And those three different types of peptic ulcers are:
- Gastric Ulcers: these types of ulcers develop inside the lining of the stomach
- Esophageal Ulcers: these types of ulcers are found within the esophagus of an individual
- Duodenal Ulcers: these types of ulcers are present within the upper section of the small intestine which is also known as the duodenum
It is important for one to remember that peptic ulcers can also be caused due to smoking, consuming too much alcohol, stomach cancer, or due to radiation therapy.
- Gallstones
Gallstones can be defined as particles of small size which result from the bile cholesterol and bilirubin which are both present within the gallbladder. The original function of these fluids is to help in the proper digestion of an individual. There are also two types of gallstones. And those two types of gallstones are mentioned below.
- Cholesterol Stones: This is one of the most common types of gallstones and these result due to the excess presence of cholesterol within the bile
- Pigment Stones: This type of gallstones are not that common and can result due to the presence of extra bilirubin in the bile
It is important to remember that in many causes gallstones which might be present within a gallbladder might not necessarily cause any sort of issue. However, if these gallstones are present in a large amount then they might cause pain. One should also know that gallstones actually respond to fatty meals which are consumed by the person in question. Gallstones might also cause problems if they block the passage of bile. Individuals often suffer from gallstones due to the presence of some of the other liver condition.
- Lactose Intolerance
As the name suggests, this is a type of digestive condition which is characterized by an individual’s inability to digest lactose. Lactose is one of the primary carbohydrates which are present within dairy products. According to many reports, it is strongly believed that almost 75% population of the entire world suffers from lactose intolerance. Individuals who suffer from this condition often experience discomfort while consuming different dairy products. This can also have a negative effect on the overall quality of life of an individual.
Some of the most common symptoms of lactose intolerance are diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal cramps. The main reason why an individual suffers from this condition is that his or her body does not produce enough enzyme lactase which is required for digesting lactose. It is also important to note that lactose is present within the breast milk and because of that; most children are born with the ability to digest lactose. It is also very rare to observe this condition in children below the age of 5.
- Diverticulitis
Diverticula can be defined as pouches of small sizes which are present along the walls of both the intestines. And in the digestive condition of diverticulitis, an individual actually suffers from the inflammation of such pouches. It is important to remember that even the formation of these pouches is a benign condition known as diverticulosis. Diverticulitis is a more serious condition than diverticulosis as it can include anything from a small abscess in one of the pouches to massive perforation of the bowel. In most of the cases of this disease, the condition occurs near the first section of the small intestine.
It is important to remember that in the majority of cases, this condition might not even have a symptom. However, some of the most common symptoms are bright red blood in the stool and cramping. This condition can be either acute or chronic. Hence, it is important to get it checked as soon as possible by a trained medical professional.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is another common medical digestive condition which is also known as IBD. This condition can refer to all sorts of inflammations which can occur in the digestive tract of an individual. There are also two different types of inflammatory bowel disease. And those different types of IBD are mentioned below.
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
Some of the common symptoms of this condition can include diarrhea, fatigue, fever, reduced appetite, and presence of blood in stools. Currently, the exact cause of this condition is not known but it is suspected that the diet of an individual and the stress which one feels can be considered to be common causes.
- Celiac Disease
This is a digestive condition which is characterized by gluten triggering an immune response from the body of an individual. In the long run, this condition can reduce the capacity of an individual to absorb nutrients properly. Some of the common symptoms of this condition are fatigue, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. According to experts, the exact cause of this condition is hard to determine but the most common causes are considered to be a combination of an individual’s genes and consumption of gluten.
- Constipation
This is a digestive issue which is characterized by infrequent or hard to pass bowel movements. This condition is quite common and can be developed by an individual belonging to any particular group. There are many possible causes for this condition. And some of the most common causes of constipation are diet, medication, other medical conditions, and psychological factors.
The Conclusion:
Digestive issues can be defined as conditions which can cause significant distress to the digestive tract of an individual. There are many common digestive problems. And some of the most common digestive problems are constipation, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, lactose intolerance, gallstones, peptic ulcers, and acid reflux.