Common Digestive Problems

Digestive health is vital to the overall health of our body. What we eat and how our stomach and intestines process that food and liquid can lead to symptoms of nausea, viruses, constipation and other, more severe consequences like kidney and liver problems. According to a recent study in U.S. News and World Report, there are seven common digestive disorders that you need to be aware of.

Acid Reflux

• Acid reflux is among the most common digestive disorders. The condition itself involves the expectoration of stomach acid up into the esophagus, the tube that connects our throat to our stomach. Heartburn is a fairly normal symptom of the condition and involves a burning sensation that rises up into our chest and heart area. Acid reflux can be either acute, occurring only in the presence of spicy or disagreeable foods, or it can be chronic, occurring on a weekly or daily basis. In chronic cases, the condition is known as GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Ulcers

• Ulcers are caused by bacteria that break through the protective lining of the stomach and cause sores and stomach pain. Antibiotics can be used to take care of the ulcers but if they are left untreated, ulcers can cause internal bleeding and they can also eat a hole in the stomach or intestines causing even more serious infection.

Gallstones

• Little balls of cholesterol and bile salt are known as gallstones. About a quarter of those with gallstones never know they have them. Gallstones can be misdiagnosed as other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. In the end, the only way to deal with a gallstone problem is to have the gallbladder removed through surgery.

Lactose Intolerance

• Lactose is a sugar that's found in milk and milk products. When the body has trouble digesting this sugar, it's called lactose intolerance. Even if you are lactose intolerant, you may still be able to digest some of the lactose in milk but you are more likely to suffer from abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, gas and diarrhea.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Inflammatory bowel disease can actually be two conditions; ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease. But there is no test available to determine which of the two digestive problems you have so inflammatory bowel disease suffices for both. With inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, stomach pain, rectal bleeding, anemia and weight loss are known symptoms.

Constipation

• Constipation is a fairly common problem faced by people around the world. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, constipation accounts for 2.5 million doctor visits a year in the United States alone. If your colon absorbs too much water or if the colon muscle contracts too slowly, you are at risk for becoming constipated. But constipation can generally be avoided if you load your diet with high-fiber foods.

Diverticulitis

• Diverticulitis is caused when small pouches form in the colon and the large intestine. These pouches called diverticula can cause pain and cramping in the stomach region and constipation. Although it's not uncommon for someone with the condition to not even know they have it, occasionally diverticulitis can also result in nausea and vomiting.