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:
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.