Digestive Disorders Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment | Diseases List A-Z

Digestive Disorders

Digestive disorders are a group of conditions that occur when the digestive system does not function properly. In general, these conditions are divided into two, namely organic and functional digestive disorders.

You need to understand that organic digestive disorders occur when there is a structural abnormality in the digestive system, which prevents it from working properly.

While functional digestive disorders occur when the digestive tract appears structurally normal but still does not function properly.

Some common digestive disorders that occur as a cause are:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Gallstones.
• Celiac Disease.

Symptoms of Digestive Disorders

Symptoms of GERD include:

• Discomfort in the chest.
• Dry cough.
• Sour taste in the mouth.
• Sore throat.
• Difficulty swallowing.

Symptoms of IBS include:

• Pain or discomfort in the abdomen.
• Changes in bowel movement frequency.
• Changes in the shape of the stool.

Symptoms of IBD include:

• Pain in the stomach.
• Diarrhea.
• Fatigue.
• Incomplete bowel movements.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Sweating at night.
• Bleeding in the rectum.

Symptoms of gallstones include:

• Persistent pain under the ribs, on the right side of the body.
• Jaundice.
• High temperature.
• Nauseous.
• Vomiting.
• Sweating.

Symptoms of Celiac disease include:

• Long-term diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Stools that are pale, smellier than usual, and float.
• Stomach ache.
• Flatulence.
• Gas.
• Nauseous.
• Vomiting.

Risk Factors for Digestive Disorders

The risk factors for this condition will vary, depending on the underlying cause. Here is the explanation:

1. GERD

Various risk factors for GERD include:

• People with hiatus hernia.
• People who are obese or overweight.
• Pregnant mother.
• Consume high-fat foods.
• The habit of smoking, drinking alcohol, and drinks containing caffeine.
• Psychological conditions, such as stress or suppressed anger.
• Consumption of certain medications that can trigger GERD.

Meanwhile, if Stomach Pain Occurs Due to Gastritis, Consult This Doctor Immediately.

2. IBS

Various risk factors for IBS include:

• Infection in the digestive tract.
• Changes in the normal bacterial conditions in the small intestine.
• Disturbance in brain function when sending signals to the intestines.
• Food that is digested too quickly or too slowly in the digestive tract.
• Certain foods or drinks that are difficult to digest, such as foods with high levels of acid, fat, sugar, or carbohydrates.
• Changes in hormone or neurotransmitter levels in the body.
• Mental health disorders, such as panic disorder, anxiety, depression, and stress.

3. IBD

Various risk factors for IBD include:

• Environment.
• Dietary habit.
• Genetics.
• Smoking habit.

4. Gallstones 

Various risk factors for gallstones include:

• Being overweight or obese.
• Often eat foods high in fat and low in fiber.
• Have a family history of gallstones.
• Having diabetes.
• Having certain blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia.
• Have liver disease.

5. Celiac Disease

Various risk factors for Celiac disease include:

• Family history of Celiac disease.
• Viral infection.
• Undergoing labor and surgery.
• Excessive stress.

6. Gastric ulcer

In addition to the risks associated with NSAID use, a person may have an increased risk of stomach ulcers if:

• Having a smoking habit can increase the risk of gastric ulcers in people infected with H. pylori.
• Excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time.
• Having stress that is not managed well.
• Eating spicy food too often.

Causes of Digestive Disorders

The causes of digestive disorders vary, depending on the type of underlying disease or condition.

What are Digestive Disorders?

The following is an explanation of a number of diseases or conditions that can cause digestive disorders:

1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Acid reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where stomach acid rises into the esophagus. The main cause of this condition is the weakening of the esophageal muscle ring.

The esophageal muscle ring functions to prevent food from returning to the esophagus after entering the stomach.

2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 

Until now, experts do not know the exact cause of IBS. However, experts suspect that the following factors appear to play a role in triggering it:

• Muscle contractions in the intestines. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscles that contract as they move food through the digestive tract. Contractions that are stronger and last longer than usual can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
• Nervous system. Problems with the nerves in the digestive system can cause discomfort. Especially when the stomach is stretched by gas or stool. Poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the gut can cause the body to overreact to changes that normally occur in the digestive process. This can cause pain, diarrhea or constipation.
• Severe infection. IBS can develop after a severe bout of diarrhea due to a bacterial or viral infection. This condition has the medical term gastroenteritis. In addition, IBS may also be related to an excess of intestinal bacteria (bacterial overgrowth).
• Stress. People who are exposed to stressful events, especially during childhood, tend to have more IBS symptoms.

3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) 

Until now, experts do not know the exact cause of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease.

But experts claim that IBD is the result of a weakened immune system. Possible causes are:

• An immune system that cannot respond optimally to germs. For example, viruses or bacteria, which cause inflammation of the digestive tract.
• It can be triggered by the influence of genetic components. For example, someone with a family history of IBD is more likely to develop the condition.

4. Gallstones 

Experts think that gallstones can occur when:

• Bile contains excess cholesterol. Normally, bile contains enough chemicals to dissolve the cholesterol the liver excretes. But if the liver excretes more cholesterol than the bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol can form into crystals and eventually stones.
• Bile contains too much bilirubin. Bilirubin is a chemical that the body produces when it breaks down red blood cells. Certain conditions can cause the liver to make too much bilirubin. These include cirrhosis of the liver, bile duct infections, and certain blood disorders. Excess bilirubin contributes to the formation of gallstones.

5. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a digestive problem that injures the small intestine. This condition can hinder the body’s absorption of nutrients from food.

A person can develop celiac disease if they are sensitive to gluten.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and sometimes in small amounts in mixed oats.

6. Gastric ulcer

Gastric ulcers or peptic ulcers are open sores that form on the lining of the stomach or duodenum (duodenal ulcers). One of the causes of this condition is infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

In addition, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also increase the risk.

Diagnosis of Digestive Disorders

The doctor will diagnose the type of digestive disorder in a person by conducting a complete medical interview, physical examination, and appropriate supporting examinations.

Supporting examinations that doctors generally recommend for GERD sufferers are endoscopy and x-rays.

In IBS, doctors generally perform lactose intolerance, breathing, blood, stool, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, x-ray, and CT scan tests.

Supporting examinations that doctors commonly perform for IBD include blood tests, endoscopy, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, x-rays, CT scans, and MRI.

Supporting examinations for gallstones include ultrasound, CT scan, blood tests, and radionuclide scanning of the gallbladder.

Meanwhile, for Celiac disease, serological examination and genetic testing for human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) are performed.

Digestive Disorders Treatment

Treatment and medication for indigestion depend on the cause and severity. Treatment for GERD includes:

• Antibiotics.
• Several other types of digestive drugs as prescribed by a doctor.
• Operational action.

Treatments for IBS include:

• Avoid caffeine.
• Minimize stress.
• Use medication according to the doctor’s instructions.

Treatments for IBD include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Immune system suppressor.
• Antibiotics.
• Operational action.

Treatment for gallstones includes:

• Drugs.
• Gallstone removal surgery.

Meanwhile, Celiac disease can be treated with a strict lifelong gluten-free diet as the only treatment.

Prevention of Digestive Disorders

Preventive measures for GERD include:

• Avoid wearing tight clothing
• Maintain an ideal weight.
• Avoid lying down after eating.
• Quit smoking and avoid exposure to smoke. If you are a smoker and want to quit.
• Avoid foods and drinks that trigger stomach acid.

Preventive measures for IBS include:

• Consume enough fiber.
• Avoid or limit consumption of unhealthy foods, such as fatty and gassy foods.
• Eat at regular and routine times.
• Limit dairy products.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Do regular exercise.
• Use antidiarrheal drugs and laxatives with caution.

Preventive measures for IBD include:

• Eat small portions.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Take multivitamins as recommended by your doctor.
• Avoid stress with exercise, relaxation, and breathing exercises.

Preventive measures for gallstones include:

• Eat regularly.
• Consume more high-fiber foods.
• Maintain a healthy weight.

Preventive measures for Celiac disease include:

• Following a gluten-free diet during pregnancy, if the mother has Celiac disease.
• Perform genetic testing for babies.
• Breastfeed your baby exclusively for at least six months.
• Introduce gluten slowly after the child is between 4 and 6 months old.

Complications of Digestive Disorders

Complications that can occur due to GERD are:

• Esophagitis or inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. This condition can cause a number of symptoms.
• Stricture, a scar that forms due to injury from stomach acid.
• Barrett’s esophagus, changes in the cells and tissues lining the esophagus due to stomach acid.

 Complications that can occur due to IBS are:

• Hemorrhoids (piles).
• Malnutrition or lack of nutrition.
• Mental disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
• Decreased quality of life and work productivity.

 Complications that can occur due to IBD are:

• Dehydration.
• Malnutrition or lack of nutrition.
• Obstruction in the intestines.
• Fistula or the formation of an abnormal channel in the intestine or anus.
• A wound or tear appears in the anus (anal fissure).
• Blockage in the blood vessels in the intestine.
• Perforation or tear in the large intestine.
• Colon cancer.

Complications that can occur due to gallstones are:

• Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).
• Bile duct obstruction.
• Pancreatic duct obstruction.
• Gallbladder cancer.

Complications that can occur due to Celiac disease are:

• Malnutrition occurs when the body cannot absorb nutrients properly.
• Lactose intolerance.
• Colon cancer, intestinal lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
• Nervous system disorders, such as peripheral neuropathy.

When to See a Doctor?

If you or a family member experiences symptoms of digestive problems, immediately check your condition with a doctor.