Common

Digestive
System
Diseases
 What is a disease?

It is an abnormal condition that

affects the structure or function of
part or all of the body and is
usually associated with specific
signs and symptoms.
 Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Adults
● Definition & Facts
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) happens when your stomach contents come
back up into your esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a
more severe and long-lasting condition in which GER causes repeated
symptoms or leads to complications over time.

● Symptoms & Causes

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
commonly cause symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. GERD may
develop when your lower esophageal sphincter becomes weak or relaxes when
it shouldn’t.

● Treatment
You may be able to manage symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by making lifestyle changes or taking
over-the-counter medicines. Doctors may recommend lifestyle changes,
medicines, surgery, or a combination of these treatments.​To reduce
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, your doctor may
recommend weight loss if you are overweight or have obesity, eating meals 2
to 3 hours before you lie down, and avoiding foods and drinks that make your
symptoms worse.​
 Appendicitis
● Definition & Facts
Appendicitis, an inflammation of your appendix, is the most common cause of
acute abdominal pain requiring surgery. Untreated, it can lead to serious
complications, such as peritonitis or an abscess.

● Symptoms & Causes

Appendicitis symptoms include abdominal pain, lack of appetite, vomiting,
constipation, or diarrhea. See a doctor or go to the emergency room right away
if you think you or your child has appendicitis. Quick treatment prevents most
complications.

● Treatment
Doctors typically treat appendicitis with antibiotics and with surgery to
remove the appendix, either by laparoscopic surgery or a laparotomy. Prompt
surgery decreases your chances of a burst appendix. Doctors use special care
for treating a burst appendix, abscess, or peritonitis. Some mild cases of
appendicitis may be treated with antibiotics alone.
 Constipation
● Definition & Facts
Constipation is a condition in which you may have fewer than three bowel
movements a week; stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy; stools that are difficult or
painful to pass; or a feeling that not all stool has passed. You usually can take steps
to prevent or relieve constipation.

● Symptoms & Causes

If your constipation does not go away with self-care or if you have long-term
constipation, speak with a doctor. You should see a doctor if you have constipation
and either bleeding from your rectum, blood in your stool, continual pain in your
abdomen, or another sign of a medical problem.

● Treatment
Your health care professional may tell you that you may be able to treat your
constipation or prevent it by making changes to what you eat and drink, being more
active, or taking over-the-counter medicines. If these treatments don’t work, he or
she may prescribe a medicine or suggest biofeedback or surgery. Your doctor may
also suggest getting enough fiber in your diet to help prevent and treat constipation.
Talk with your health care professional to plan a diet with the right amount of fiber
for you. Be sure to add fiber to your diet a little at a time so your body gets used to
the change.
 Diarrhea
● Definition & Facts
Diarrhea is loose, watery stools three or more times a day. Diarrhea may
be acute, persistent, or chronic. Acute diarrhea is more common than
persistent or chronic diarrhea. Complications of diarrhea are dehydration
and malabsorption.

● Symptoms & Causes

The main symptom of diarrhea is passing loose, watery stools three or
more times a day. You may also have other symptoms. Causes of
diarrhea include infections, food allergies and intolerances, digestive
tract problems, and side effects of medicines.

● Treatment
In most cases, you can treat your diarrhea with over-the-counter
medicines and by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent
dehydration. Doctors may treat some causes of diarrhea with
prescription medicines. If you have diarrhea, you may lose your appetite.
When your appetite returns, you can go back to eating your normal diet.
Parents and caretakers should give children with diarrhea their usual diet
and give infants breast milk or formula.
 Food Poisoning
● Definition & Facts
Food poisoning is an infection or irritation of your digestive tract that spreads
through foods or drinks. Food poisoning is most often acute, and most people
get better on their own without treatment. In some cases, food poisoning leads
to serious complications, such as dehydration.

● Symptoms & Causes

Common symptoms of many types of food poisoning include diarrhea or
bloody diarrhea, vomiting, pain in your abdomen, fever, and headache.
Infections with viruses, bacteria, and parasites cause most food poisoning.
Harmful chemicals also cause some cases of food poisoning.

● Treatment
In most cases, you can treat food poisoning by replacing lost fluids and
electrolytes to prevent dehydration. In some cases, over-the-counter or
prescription medicines may help. You can prevent some food poisoning by
properly storing, cooking, cleaning, and handling foods. When you have food
poisoning, you may lose your appetite for a short time. When your appetite
returns, you can most often go back to eating your normal diet, even if you still
have diarrhea. Most experts do not recommend fasting or following a restricted
diet when you have diarrhea.
 Gastritis & Gastropathy
● Definition & Facts
Gastritis and gastropathy are conditions that affect the stomach lining, also
known as the mucosa. In gastritis, the stomach lining is inflamed. In
gastropathy, the stomach lining is damaged, but little or no inflammation is
present.

● Symptoms & Causes

The majority of people with gastritis or gastropathy don’t have any symptoms.
In some cases, gastritis and gastropathy cause symptoms of indigestion or of
bleeding in the stomach. Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common
cause of gastritis.

● Treatment
Your doctor will recommend treatments based on the type of gastritis or
gastropathy you have and its cause. Treating gastritis and gastropathy can
improve symptoms, if present, and lower your chance of complications.
Researchers have not found that eating, diet, and nutrition play an important
role in causing the majority of cases of gastritis or gastropathy. H. pylori
gastritis can cause problems absorbing iron from food, and autoimmune
gastritis can cause problems absorbing iron and vitamin B12 from food.
 Indigestion (Dyspepsia)
● Definition & Facts
Indigestion is a general term that describes a group of gastrointestinal
symptoms that occur together, including pain, a burning feeling, or discomfort
in your upper abdomen; feeling full too soon while eating; and feeling
uncomfortably full after eating.

● Symptoms & Causes

Indigestion has many symptoms. You may have more than one symptom at the
same time. Sometimes you may also have heartburn, which is a separate
condition. Lifestyle, medicines, health problems, and digestive tract diseases
can cause indigestion.

● Treatment
Treatment for indigestion depends on the cause and may include medicines,
changes in what you eat and drink, and psychological therapies. In addition to
changing what you eat and drink, you can help prevent indigestion by making
certain lifestyle changes. You can help prevent indigestion by changing your
diet. You may need to avoid certain foods and drinks that may cause
indigestion, such as alcoholic drinks; carbonated drinks; coffee; foods that
contain a lot of acid; and spicy, fatty, or greasy foods.
 Lactose Intolerance
● Definition & Facts
If you have lactose intolerance, you have digestive symptoms—such as bloating,
diarrhea, and gas—after you consume foods or drinks that contain lactose.
Lactose intolerance may affect your health if it keeps you from getting enough
nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D.

● Symptoms & Causes

Symptoms of lactose intolerance may include bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and
pain in your abdomen. Lactose intolerance is caused by lactose malabsorption, a
condition in which your small intestine makes low levels of lactase and can’t
digest all the lactose you eat or drink.

● Treatment
You can manage lactose intolerance symptoms by changing your diet to limit or
avoid foods that contain lactose. Some people may only need to limit lactose,
while others may need to avoid lactose altogether. Using lactase products can
help some people manage their symptoms. Talk with your doctor or a dietitian
about changing your diet to help manage lactose intolerance symptoms and make
sure you get enough nutrients. You may need to reduce the amount of lactose you
eat or drink. Most people with lactose intolerance can eat or drink some lactose
without symptoms.
 Peptic Ulcers (Stomach or Duodenal Ulcers)
● Definition & Facts
A peptic ulcer, or stomach or duodenal ulcer, is a sore on the lining of your
stomach or duodenum. Peptic ulcers can lead to complications such as bleeding,
perforation, penetration, or blockage in your stomach or duodenum.

● Symptoms & Causes

Common symptoms of peptic ulcers include pain or discomfort in your abdomen,
feeling full too soon during or too full after a meal, nausea, bloating, and
belching. The most common causes of peptic ulcers are Helicobacter pylori (H.
pylori) infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

● Treatment
Doctors may recommend medicines to heal peptic ulcers and will look for and
treat the underlying cause. Doctors treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
with medicines. If you have a peptic ulcer due to taking nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), your doctor may change your medicines.
Researchers have not found that diet and nutrition play an important role in
causing, preventing, or treating peptic ulcers. Doctors do not recommend
following a special diet or avoiding specific foods or drinks to treat or prevent
ulcers.
 Gallstones
● Definition & Facts
Gallstones are hard, pebble-like pieces of material, usually made of cholesterol or
bilirubin, that develop in your gallbladder. When gallstones block your bile ducts,
they can cause sudden pain, which means you need medical attention right away.
If left untreated, they can cause complications.

● Symptoms & Causes

When gallstones block your bile ducts, bile builds up in your gallbladder, causing
a gallbladder attack. Gallbladder attacks usually cause pain in the upper right
abdomen; gallstones may form if bile contains too much cholesterol, too much
bilirubin, or not enough bile salts.

● Dieting
Being overweight or having obesity may make you more likely to develop
gallstones. Losing weight very quickly also may raise your chances of forming
gallstones.

● Treatment
If you are having a gallbladder attack or other symptoms, you need to have your
gallstones treated right away, most likely with surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Nonsurgical treatments are rarely used.