Digestive & Bowel Disorders

Digestive disorders may begin at the mouth and span the entire digestive tract, or may originate from a point along the wide digestive tract. While some digestive disorders are minor, short-term and easily treatable, there are some digestive disorders that are more complex and may require more advanced treatment. Here are some common digestive disorders, causes of digestive disorders and the treatment options available.

Constipation

• Constipation occurs when stools are difficult, if not impossible, to pass. Constipation is one of the most common digestive disorders. Constipation may be caused by dietary deficiencies such as fiber. Constipation also may be caused by irritable bowel syndrome and colonic inertia, or slow transit colon. Slow transit colon, or colonic inertia, allows too much water to be absorbed from the stool, making it difficult or impossible to pass. Your doctor may recommend prescription medications such as Amatiza, or over the counter laxatives, enemas or suppositories.

Diarrhea

• Certain types of food, such as spicy foods, or too much dairy and vegetables can cause diarrhea. Food-induced diarrhea is usually short term, and will run its course through your body in a few days. Illnesses such as the flu, diabetes and heart disease also may be the culprit of diarrhea. During a bout with the flu, an over the counter remedy or prescription treatment will usually treat the diarrhea as well as the flu virus.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Irritable bowel syndrome may cause alternating or stable episodes of constipation and diarrhea in the digestive tract. Irritable bowel syndrome causes constant expanding and contracting of the muscles in the digestive tract. Most people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, manage their symptoms with the use of anti-diarrhea medications, laxatives and lifestyle modifications, such as stress reduction.

Chron's Disease

• Chron's disease is a swelling of the intestinal tract, which usually manifests itself in the form of diarrhea and abdominal pain in the right quadrant of the abdomen. Side effects of Chron's disease include rectal bleeding, which can sometimes be severe, weight loss and fever.

Stomach Virus

• Stomach viruses are easily caught, much like the common cold. Stomach viruses upset the bacteria in the stomach and can lead to symptoms such as fever, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. When you are infected with a stomach virus, it is important to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest and use any antibiotic or stomach virus medication as instructed for the duration of the virus.

Medications

• Certain medications such as medications used to treat high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease and ADHD may cause digestive disorders such as constipation, diarrhea and ulcers. Your doctor may recommend using short-term occasional laxatives, anti-diarrheal medications and antacids to help you cope with unpleasant side effects of medications used to treat various medical conditions

Acid Reflux

• Acid reflux disease, also known as heartburn is caused by certain foods such as spicy foods, greasy foods, and raw vegetables that cause excess stomach gas to gurgle into the upper digestive tract around the esophagus and the heart. Heartburn is caused when the lower sphincter of the esophagus remains open instead of closing as normal when we swallow food. Heartburn is usually treated through the use of over the counter medications such as Pepto-Bismol, Pepcid and Prilosec