Digestive Health Problems

As the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) explains, digestion occurs when the body breaks down the foods and drinks you consume into smaller nutrients. The body uses these nutrients to grow and nourish cells and produce energy. Occasionally, this process is derailed. A wide range of digestive problems can occur, most of which are not serious.

Function

• Digestion begins in the mouth. When we chew food, the process commences. The remainder of the digestive tract consists of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (also known as the colon), rectum and anus, according to the NDDIC. In the journey from the mouth to the anus, food and drink, mixed with a cocktail of digestive juices, is further broken down into usable form. After nutrients are absorbed by the body, the rest is transferred to the colon as waste and later evacuated via bowel movements, notes the NDDIC.

Types of Problems

• Digestive problems range from minor annoyances (e.g., mild gas) to moderate-to-serious concerns (e.g., frequent heartburn) to significant, life-altering conditions, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Symptoms between different disturbances or disorders are often similar, making medical attention necessary in some cases to rule out serious issues.

Common Culprits

• According to the Mayo Clinic, indigestion--or an upset stomach--is a set of symptoms impacting the digestive tract. Bloating, belching and nausea are common with indigestion. Mayo doctors note that certain foods and drinks, such as chocolate, spicy foods and coffee, as well as smoking and stress can trigger indigestion. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) impacts more than 60 million Americans in 2010, estimates The Ohio State University (OSU) Medical Center. GERD shares symptoms similar to indigestion. It is marked by frequent heartburn and a back-up of stomach acid in the esophagus. Treatment for indigestion and GERD typically involves avoiding trigger foods and taking over-the-counter medications.

  Peptic ulcers, while commonly thought to be brought on by foods and stress, have an entirely different cause. The NDDIC explains that while ulcers can be made worse by food and stress, the cause is most often a bacteria, known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Though it does not cause an ulcer in most people, the bacteria is present in 20 percent of Americans under age 40 and more than half of those over 60. Antibiotics usually clear up an H. pylori infection, restoring digestive sanity.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive problem that, reports Mayo Clinic experts, is a diagnosis of exclusion. When other causes for your symptoms are ruled out, IBS is often the problem. IBS is marked by a litany of digestive issues, most commonly diarrhea and constipation. Some IBS sufferers experience both on an alternating basis. IBS does not lead to more serious conditions, such as colon cancer. It is frequently caused by trigger foods and stress (as with indigestion). IBS is most often treated with lifestyle changes, including avoiding certain foods, managing stress, losing weight and getting plenty of exercise.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

• A more serious group of digestive problems are called inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two most common IBDs, notes the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). Both ailments involve inflammation of the lining of the intestines. Both are marked by periods of remission and relapse. The AGA explains that the symptoms for each are similar, including abdominal pain, weight loss and rectal bleeding. The causes for each are unknown, but IBD is thought to run in families. Treatment includes diet alterations, medication and, in some cases, surgery.