BENGALURU: Digestive diseases, some commonly known, can be treated at home, while others require medical intervention. Symptoms can range from simple acidity to deadly colon or gastrointestinal digestive system containing a Gastrointestinal tract, Pancreas, liver, and Gall’s bladder. All of these together aid in breaking down the food or water and flushing out the waste. Starting from the mouth, including the food pipe, the digestive tract ends at the anus.
A simple, healthy lifestyle and regular health checks can prevent digestive problems like gas, stomach cramps, pain, constipation, or acidity. The causes of digestive disorders are multiple. Some are restricted to the digestive system, and sometimes, they are symptomatic of a wider systemic problem.
Food allergy or intolerance
Stomach infection or Flu due to contaminated food or water intake (Escherichia coli, Rotavirus, Salmonella)
Unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle
Side effects of NSAIDs, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories: Diabetes drugs cause nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and ulcers.Post-surgery discomforts like gall bladder surgery, bowel obstruction, pancreas obstruction, stomach resection, and malabsorption.Decreased GI motility and saliva production due to aging diseases like HIV, Heart failure, genetic diseases, diabetes, scleroderma
Change in routine, traveling, pregnancy,
Depression, anxiety too
Identifying digestive disorder
Not all disorders can last for a while; some long-lasting disorders may need medical assistance. Following are the ways to recognize digestive diseases:
Diet history, medical history, Food allergies
Psychological analysis
Physical checkup (Abdominal swelling or tenderness)
Diagnostic tests:
a. Acid reflux test
b. Stool test( fungi, parasites, bacteria and WBC in stool)
c. Endoscopy
d. Laparoscopy
e. Barium and normal x-rays, CT scan, MRI, Ultrasound
Frequent and awkward burps, irregular stools, heartburn after meals, and other digestive problems should never be taken lightly. Regular assessments will always act as a precaution, and early diagnosis always helps fight further digestive issues.
