Gastrointestinal (GI) Diseases
Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases occur due to structural and functional abnormalities of the stomach and intestine. They can range from common digestive problems such as diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal cramps to chronic disorders including Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, acid reflux, gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis or cancer.
Causes
Certain GI diseases such as Crohn’s disease are hereditary. Other causes may include the following:
- Infections
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal changes
- Advanced age
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Obesity
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits
Symptoms
The symptoms of GI disease depend on the underlying cause and may include the following:
- Excess gas
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Breathing problems
- Painful swallowing
- Headache
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
Diagnosis
Your doctor will assess your symptoms and discuss your medical history. They may order diagnostic tests as follows:
- Imaging tests such as X-ray, MRI, or CT-scan
- pH test to check acidity levels
- Endoscopy or Colonoscopy
- Certain blood tests
- Bowel biopsy
- Stool test
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) to locate gallstones in the gallbladder
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of GI disease and may include medications to manage pain, acidity, infections and other symptoms. Surgery is recommended by your doctor if conservative treatment options fail.
Prevention
Many GI diseases can be prevented by practising good bowel habits and maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes the following:
- Avoiding foods that cause gas and bloating such as cabbage, broccoli, milk, and dairy
- Cutting down on high-fat and spicy food
- Eating more slowly
- Avoiding certain medications such as anti-depressants and laxatives
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing caffeine
- Quitting alcohol consumption and smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Consuming sufficient water
- Drinking warm water or herbal tea in the morning
- Eating a variety of vegetables and fruits
- Regularly screening for cancer
- Eating food rich in probiotics
- Moving your bowels when you have an urge
- Managing diabetes and thyroid disorders
- Managing stress
Related Topics
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Crohn's Disease
- Indigestion
- Diarrhoea
- Bowel Incontinence
- Unintentional Weight Loss
- Constipation
- Upper Gastrointestinal Disease
- Swallowing Disorders
- Oesophageal Motility Disorder
- Achalasia
- Gastric Disease
- Gastritis
- Gastric Ulcers
- Peptic Ulcer
- Gastroparesis
- Gallbladder Disease
- Gallstones
- Liver Disease
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Hepatitis
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Liver Masses
- Hepatobiliary Disease
- Pancreatobiliary Diseases
- Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Malignancy or Pre-Malignant Conditions
- Liver Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Biliary Tract Cancer
- Polyp to Colon Cancer Progression
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Eosinophilia and Eosinophil-Associated Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGIDs)
- Inflamed or Irritable Bowel
- Coeliac Disease
- Diverticular Disease
- Diverticulosis
- Diverticulitis
- Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Rectal Bleeding
- Prevention of Gastrointestinal Diseases