Top 4 Common Gastrointestinal Disorders: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Some of the most common gastrointestinal issues include diarrhoea, GERD, and colorectal cancer. The gastrology department may show that the GI tract is weak, but you may still show symptoms. Thanks to gastrology doctors most of these issues can be treated and/or prevented. 

These diseases affect the GI or the gastrointestinal tract. If some of the symptoms mentioned here check out, please do not hesitate to reach out to a gastroenterology doctor as soon as possible. This type of disorder is divided into functional and structural gastrointestinal disorders. Apart from colorectal cancer and diarrhoea, food poisoning and lactose intolerance fall under this category of ailments.

Functional Gastrointestinal Diseases

The functional diseases are those where the GI tract is seemingly normal under examination but there are issues with its movement. These are the most common gastrointestinal diseases a person can face. The colon and rectum can also be affected. Common examples of functional gastrointestinal diseases include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

According to gastrology doctor, some of the factors that can cause an imbalance in your GI tract and its ability to move are:

 

• • Having a low-fiber diet.

• • Lack of exercise.

• • Changes in routine and/or travelling.

• • Stress.

• • Having a large amount of dairy products.

• • Bowel movement resistance is possible due to haemorrhoids.

• • Excessive use of anti-diarrheal medication can weaken the movement of the bowel muscles.

1. Structural Gastrointestinal Diseases

The structural counterpart of gastrointestinal diseases is where the bowel has an abnormal appearance upon examination and is dysfunctional. There are cases where the issue has to be removed surgically. Colon cancer, inflammatory bowel illness, stenosis, and haemorrhoids are typical examples.

Gastrology Doctors: How They Can Help

The gastrology department has gastroenterologists, of course, who have experience treating and curing gastrointestinal conditions, some surgeons specialize in the same and are called proctologists or colorectal surgeons. They can help you identify the symptoms and causes, and help you treat or cure them.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome is also called spastic bowel, irritable colon where the muscles in the intestine contract more or less often than ‘normal’. 

Symptoms

 

• • Abdominal pain and cramps.

• • Bloating.

• • Bowel habit change or more urgent bowel movements than ‘normal’.

Causes

There can be a range of causes for IBS such as stress, anxiety, or depression. Sensitivity towards certain food items can also be a cause for such discomfort. Antibiotics, antacids, and painkillers can also be a reason why you may be suffering from IBS. Some studies suggest that genetics also have a role to play in it.

Treatment

A gastroenterology doctor can help by recommending a low-FODMAP diet (excluding fermentable sugars) and stress management techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and medications like laxatives and antispasmodics. They may also recommend probiotics for gut health betterment.

2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This ailment includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease. It involves chronic inflammation of the GI tract which can lead to serious consequences if you do not treat them. 

Symptoms

 

• • Persistent diarrhoea

• • Abdomen cramping

• • bleeding while passing bowel

• • Fatigue

• • unintended loss of weight.

Causes

The causes for the condition as per gastrology doctors can be diet, stress, genetic factors, or it can be an autoimmune response. There can be a different balance of ‘helpful’ and ‘harmful’ bacteria in the intestines. Use of antibiotics, birth control pills, and nonsteroidal inflammatories or NSAIDs can also lead to IBD.

Treatment

Gastroenterology doctors can prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, immunosuppressive drugs to prevent immune attacks or target specific pathways in the immune system. In extreme cases, the doctor may recommend surgical removal of the affected sections in the intestine.

3. Gallstones

These are solid deposits of bile components that can cause a blockage in the bile ducts which can cause pain along with infections or pancreatitis. 

Symptoms

 

• • Sudden and severe pain in the stomach or the right shoulder.

• • Nausea and vomiting.

• • You may be passing a clay-coloured stool.

• • Abdominal bloating.

Causes

The factors that can lead to the formation of gallstones include obesity, losing a lot of weight in a short time, cholesterol-heavy diet. Genetics can also have a role to play in gallstones, unfortunately. 

Treatment

You may not require treatment for asymptomatic gallstones, but the gastrology department may recommend surgical removal of the gallbladder for symptomatic cases. This surgery is called cholecystectomy. 

4. Peptic Ulcer Disease

These ulcers form in the stomach due to excess acid or infection in the same. 

Symptoms

 

• • Pain that comes and goes over several days or weeks.

• • Intense pain in the stomach.

• • Pain that reaches the back as well.

• • Heartburn.

• • Chest pain.

Causes

The causes of this discomfort include infection from the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, and long-term use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin. Genetics can be a cause too in addition to smoking and alcohol consumption.

Treatment

Gastrology departments can recommend a combination of antibiotics to remove the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, proton pump inhibitors to reduce the production of acid, letting go of smoking, and avoiding spicy foods.

Conclusion

Gastrointestinal diseases can range from mild pain to very serious conditions. If you are experiencing abdominal pain and if it comes and goes, it may be something serious. Getting opinions from gastrology doctors can be a good idea in such a scenario. Don’t delay and contact us by filling this form or call our specialised team.