How to Recognize Common Gastrointestinal Disorders
On the long list of physical illnesses, a stomachache is often categorized as the least concern. While an upset stomach occasionally is regarded as no big deal, frequent and recurring abdominal pain may be a sign of something more serious, one requiring more treatment than just popping an antacid. Chronic pain and discomfort could be more cause for alarm — don’t ignore it.
About Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders refer to a variety of illnesses and conditions affecting the digestive system. Irritable bowel disease (IBS) is the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists, according to the American College of Gastroenterology, with about 5-7% of the adult population diagnosed. IBS actually refers to a group of diseases that cause swelling of the intestine, including:
- Ulcerative colitis — The most common form of IBS, ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine and inner lining of the colon, causing swelling and ulcers and leaving no healthy tissue. It does not, however, affect the outer lining of the colon.
- Crohn’s disease — Most commonly affecting both the small and large intestines, Crohn’s disease causes swelling in patches, leaving some areas of healthy tissue and sometimes affecting the intestines’ outer lining.
Other common GI illnesses include:
- Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by ingesting gluten and damaging the small intestine
- Lactose intolerance, which is the inability to digest lactose, the sugar naturally found in milk and dairy products
- Diverticulosis, the presence of small pouches or sacs bulging from the large intestine
- Diverticulitis, a disease related to diverticulosis that occurs when pouches or sacs in the large intestine become inflamed
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, a chronic condition in which stomach contents — including stomach acid — are regurgitated into the esophagus
- Colorectal cancer, a group of cancers that begin in the colon or rectum
Symptoms of GI Disorders
Because GI disorders include such a wide variety of conditions, there’s no one set of symptoms that defines all of them. However, experiencing some symptoms on a frequent or recurring basis may be cause for concern and could help your primary care provider and gastroenterologist determine the cause. Some chronic symptoms to look for include:
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain and heartburn
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty swallowing
- Feeling like you have a lump in your throat
- Gas and bloating
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Hiccups
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rectal pain or bleeding
- Sensation of food being regurgitated