9 Types of Digestive Disorders, Causes, and How to Treat Them

Healthy - Almost everyone has experienced diarrhea, are you one of them? Not only diarrhea, there are other types of digestive disorders that are also often encountered. Each of these disorders is caused by different factors. This time, Siloam Hospitals will discuss them one by one.

The digestive system is one part of the body that plays a very important role. If the digestive organs experience problems, of course this can affect the health of the body. Therefore, it is important for you to be aware of the various types of digestive disorders that can attack. What are they? Check out the following review.

Types of Digestive Disorders

The human digestive system plays an important role in breaking down food into nutrients that are absorbed by the body to produce energy, growth, and cell repair. In addition, the digestive system also functions to sort and remove food waste that cannot be digested by the body.

Digestive disorders are disorders of the digestive tract or also called the gastrointestinal tract. The tract includes the esophagus, liver, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, gallbladder, and pancreas. Some types of digestive disorders can be short-lived and heal with home care, while others can last a long time and may require medical help to overcome them. The types of digestive disorders that commonly occur are as follows:

1. GERD

GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a type of digestive disorder that occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus. This is caused by a weakening of the valve or sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus. Normally, this valve will close after food enters the stomach. However, in people with GERD, the valve cannot close properly, causing stomach acid to rise into the esophagus.

GERD can cause sufferers to experience a burning sensation in the chest, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, and coughing. Diagnosis of GERD can be done through an esophagogastroduodenoscopy examination. Then, to overcome this, you also need to change your lifestyle and diet, including:

• Eating smaller portions                      
• Not lying down immediately after eating
• Avoiding spicy, fatty, acidic, and caffeinated foods
• Raising your head while sleeping
• Consult your doctor about using antacids or acid-blocking drugs

2. Gastric Ulcers

Gastric ulcers are wounds that occur on the stomach wall. This type of digestive disorder is caused by infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria or side effects of long-term use of pain relievers.

Common symptoms of gastric ulcers include bloating, nausea and vomiting, dark stools, unexplained weight loss, and loss of appetite. To further diagnose gastric ulcers, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy can be performed.

3. Gallstones

Gallstones are an example of a digestive disorder that occurs due to bile containing too much cholesterol and metabolic waste. This disorder can also occur if the release of bile is blocked. Symptoms of gallstones include:

• Colic pain
• Inflammation of the gallbladder and bile ducts
• Jaundice (jaundice)
• The risk factors for gallstones can occur in someone with the following conditions:
• Obese
• Over 40 years old
• Women
• Reproductive age
• Unable to break down and absorb fatty foods
• Frequent flatulence
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Stones in the gallbladder can cause severe pain in the upper right abdomen. This condition can be treated with medication or surgery.

4. IBS

IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a collection of characteristics of digestive disorders, including abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements that occur at least three times per month for three consecutive months. Other symptoms are bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and the appearance of mucus in the stool.

The cause of these symptoms is not yet known for sure. However, certain factors such as bacterial infections in the digestive tract, mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress, and consumption of certain foods are thought to be related to the occurrence of IBS. IBS can be treated in several ways below:

• Avoid foods that trigger symptoms
• Reduce stress
• Eat small portions, consume more fiber
• Exercise regularly and get enough rest

5. IBD

Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD is a long-lasting inflammatory condition in the digestive tract. The two most common types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The following types of digestive disorders can cause irritation and swelling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, and weight loss.

The cause of IBD itself is not yet known for certain. However, an unusual immune system response is thought to be the trigger. In addition,viral, bacterial, and allergic responses may also trigger inflammation. IBD can be diagnosed through a colonoscopy and fecal calprotectin laboratory examination and can be treated depending on the cause. Specific treatments such as medications are needed to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Block the immune response
• Treat or prevent infection
• Treat severe diarrhea
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Manage mild pain without non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Your doctor may advise you to follow a low-fiber diet if you are prone to diarrhea, or avoid dairy products if you are lactose intolerant. However, sometimes surgery is also needed to treat complications such as intestinal obstruction or abscesses.

6. Diarrhea

The next type of digestive disorder is diarrhea. A person is said to have diarrhea if they experience an increase in the frequency of bowel movements more than three times a day accompanied by a more liquid stool texture. The causes of this digestive disorder vary, such as rotavirus or bacterial infections, side effects of drugs, and changes in diet. In addition to increased frequency of bowel movements, some other symptoms of diarrhea include abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, bloating, and blood in the stool.

Diarrhea can be experienced by anyone, both children and adults. Actually, this type of digestive disorder is very easy to treat, but in cases of severe diarrhea that is not treated immediately it can be fatal, especially in children. Diarrhea sufferers need medication that is useful for replacing lost body fluids and electrolytes.

7. Constipation

Constipation is a condition when someone has difficulty or rarely defecates. If you defecate less than three times a week, then you are likely constipated. The main symptom is hard stool texture. In addition, the characteristics of this digestive disorder include:

• Straining during defecation
• Feeling like there is a blockage in the rectum so that feces are difficult to remove
• Feeling incomplete after defecation
• Needing help to remove feces, for example using fingers or pressing the stomach

Constipation can be caused by many things, ranging from lack of consumption of fibrous foods, lack of drinking water, to the effects of drugs such as antacids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, the cause can also be from intraluminal such as hard feces or tumors. Meanwhile, the cause of extra lumen can be due to the compression of the intestinal lumen by the mass of other organs. Increasing fiber intake, fluids, and exercise will help overcome this condition. You can also take laxatives or stool softeners as a temporary solution.

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8. Hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids are one of the types of digestive disorders that are more often experienced by people over the age of 50. This is an example of a digestive disorder that is painful because the blood vessels in the anal canal are swollen.

Hemorrhoids can cause symptoms such as pain and itching in the anus and bleeding during bowel movements, and sometimes it can even make it difficult for sufferers to sit. The main causes of hemorrhoids are chronic constipation and pregnancy. While straining during bowel movements, sitting on the toilet for a long time, and chronic diarrhea are other possible causes.

How to overcome hemorrhoids for early degrees can be with lifestyle changes such as consuming lots of fluids and fibrous foods and medications. However, if it has entered an advanced stage, surgery is needed.

9. Diverticular Disease

This disease includes diverticulosis or the formation of small pockets in the walls of the large intestine and diverticulitis or when the pockets become inflamed. You may feel bloated, have diarrhea, or pain in the lower abdomen.

The cause of this digestive disorder is still unknown, but it is thought to be related to genes. Other factors include lack of physical activity, use of NSAIDs and steroids, and having conditions that involve the immune system.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, do not hesitate to consult the nearest Hospital doctor to get the right diagnosis and medical treatment.