Gastrointestinal disorders disrupt nutrient absorption and waste excretion, causing pain, inflammation, and other unpleasant symptoms. Common disorders include constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer. Treatment options vary, but may include medication, dietary changes, and exercise.
Gastrointestinal disorders are medical problems that disrupt the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and excrete waste. Many people experience pain, inflammation, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms related to gastrointestinal malfunctions. Some of the more common gastrointestinal disorders include constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer.
Constipation is a very common problem that affects most people at some point in their lives. The condition can be caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, illness, a lack of dietary fiber, excessive stress, or a variety of more serious gastrointestinal disorders. Most cases of constipation are temporary and symptoms are usually relieved within a few days by drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise, and consuming more fiber. An individual who remains constipated for several days or has frequent episodes should consult a doctor to check for serious ailments and prescribe appropriate medications.
There are several types of inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal disorders that cause significant abdominal pain, and inflammation of the lining of the stomach, digestive tract, and colon. The most common types of inflammatory bowel disease are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. An individual suffering from ulcerative colitis often develops ulcers and inflammation in the intestines, leading to painful bowel movements, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, fatigue and dehydration. Crohn’s disease primarily affects the digestive tract and stomach and causes symptoms that are very similar to those of ulcerative colitis. There are no proven medical cures for most forms of inflammatory bowel disease, although people can find relief from their symptoms by taking anti-inflammatory medications and improving their diet and exercise routines.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder that causes functional problems in the large intestine. Bloating, excessive gas, stomach pain, and cramping occur frequently in people with the disorder and may be accompanied by bouts of severe diarrhea or constipation. The condition is more likely to develop in individuals who are under excessive stress, eat poor diets, experience hormonal imbalances, or have a genetic predisposition to gastrointestinal problems. Irritable bowel syndrome is a long-lasting, chronic condition in most patients, and doctors usually suggest long-term management strategies such as taking fiber supplements and avoiding certain problem foods.
Perhaps the most dangerous of all gastrointestinal ailments is stomach or colon cancer. Cancerous tumors can severely disfigure and destroy the gastrointestinal tract, leading to serious medical problems and often spreading to other parts of the body. Colon or stomach cancer can cause nausea, pain, indigestion, internal bleeding, fatigue and weight loss. Individuals who suspect they have cancer should see their primary care physicians or oncologists immediately so that appropriate diagnoses and treatment plans can be made.
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