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Gastrointestinal Disorders

Your gastrointestinal tract is probably one of the most important systems of the body. It digests food for fuel and nourishes the body. There are several diseases and disorders than can befall the gastrointestinal tract.

  1. Celiac Disease

    • Celiac disease is triggered by eating foods that contain gluten, such as pasta or any other product that contains rye, wheat or barley. Celiac disease affects the villi, tiny hair-like protrusions in the small intestine, by damaging them and reducing their ability to absorb nutrients. The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown, but those with an immediate family member with celiac disease are between 5 and 15 percent more likely to have it. There are no typical signs of celiac disease; however, people who have the disease often describe feeling bloated and having abdominal pains. Celiac disease, if untreated, can lead to malabsorption, which occurs when the body is not properly digesting food and absorbing nutrients. Malabsorption can cause weight loss, osteoporosis and anemia. There is no cure for celiac disease, so avoiding foods containing gluten is essential.

    Liver Cancer

    • Liver cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the liver. Symptoms of liver cancer are nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling and an enlarged liver. The cause of liver cancer varies from case to case. Some liver cancer cases have an unknown cause, but sometimes, for example, something like a hepatitis infection can cause liver cancer. Treatment options for liver cancer include removing a portion of the liver, a liver transplant, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

    GERD

    • GERD is an acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease. With GERD, the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus does not close properly and allows stomach acid and bile to travel back up the esophagus; this situation is known as acid reflux. Symptoms of GERD are heartburn, chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Over-the-counter antacids are usually the first course of treatment, as well as products that reduce the amount of acid produced, such as Pepcid AC. If these don't work, prescription acid reducers are used or a barrier is placed into the esophagus to keep acid from coming back up.

    Viral Gastroenteritis

    • Viral gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, is contracted through contact with someone already infected. The bacteria that cause viral gastroenteritis are most commonly passed through fecal to oral contact. For example, if someone preparing your food didn't wash their hands before handling the food, you could contract viral gastroenteritis. There is no specified treatment for viral gastroenteritis; the best idea is relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Wash your hands thoroughly and keep your distance from anyone who may be infected to prevent contracting the virus.

    Indigestion

    • "Indigestion" is used to describe general stomach discomfort. Symptoms of indigestion include nausea, vomiting, belching and bloating. Common causes for indigestion are overeating, smoking, spicy foods or nervousness. Antacids or an H-2-receptor antagonist such as Pepcid AC are the common treatments. H-2-receptor antagonists reduce the amount of stomach acid produced.

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