Five Common Gastrointestinal Diseases and Their Symptoms
How you need to take heed of what your stomach is trying to tell you next time you have an upset stomach.
If there’s one thing we take for granted, it is our stomach - we never think twice before we reach out for that second samosa, or have midnight cravings for chow mein or order pizza. Are we eating fresh food? Does the food have enough fibre? Are we spacing food correctly? We start taking notice only when we feel discomfort - bloating, gas, stomach cramps - common signs that not all is well with your digestive system. We try to play down the discomfort and pain these symptoms cause due to embarrassment and even fear of missing out on our favourite foods. But it may be time to start paying heed to what your gut is trying to tell you. Gastrointestinal (GI) disease is no laughing matter and can cause severe complications if gastro disease treatment is not provided.
Gastroenterology is the body of medicine that deals with the function and treatment of the digestive system. Stomach problems treatment or digestive problems treatment is required when any of these signs of gastrointestinal disease becomes chronic and severe.
Common gastrointestinal diseases
While many of us may experience some of these symptoms in passing, it is important to consider consulting a specialist in gastroenterology when these conditions become chronic and interfere with normal daily activity.
Constipation: If you are having painful bowel movement due to hard stool or infrequent bowel movement of less than three times a week, then you may need to see a specialist in gastroenterology. People tend to ignore this problem as they shy away from openly discussing problems that involve bowel movements. Constipation can be caused by a poor diet with excessive junk food and little water.
Diarrhea: This is characterised by the frequent passing of loose and watery stool and the sensation of urgency in the passing of stool. It may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. If diarrhea persists for over four weeks then it may be associated with other digestive issues such as an irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis. In India, diarrhea in children under five years is a major cause for malnutrition and under-five mortality.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): It is a group of disorders that involve the inflammation in the intestines. Nearly 1.5 million people suffer from IBD in India. It is characterised by abdominal cramping and irregular bowel movements with occasional blood or mucus in the stool.
Peptic ulcer disease: Peptic ulcers are considered to be one of the most common disorders in the world. A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach, oesophagus and small intestine. This can cause a lot of pain or/ and indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux.
Haemorrhoids: It is the presence of swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. The symptoms include a painful lump around the anus, painful bowel movement and bleeding during bowel movements. This can be avoided by eating whole foods.
Treating gastrointestinal diseases
Digestive disease treatment involves medication, plenty of water, rest and eating easily digestible foods. However it is not always possible to cure the condition on your own at home. You may need to seek help from a gastroenterologist before symptoms worsen. As a thumb rule when digestive problems treatment is not working with simple home remedies, it is best to avail the services of a gastroenterology specialist.
Following a healthy diet and active lifestyle
It cannot be stressed enough, the importance of a healthy diet that consists of whole grains, green and leafy vegetables, Avoiding habitual intake of processed foods, carbonated drinks and junk food must stop. An active lifestyle involves regular exercise, no smoking and moderate consumption of alcohol. These healthy habits go a long way in creating a strong gut.
GI surgery and gastroenterology specialists
Gastrointestinal surgery consists of surgically removing the damaged part of the gastrointestinal tract. This may be done in cases of IBD and severe acid reflux. It is important to visit the best hospitals for gastroenterology & GI surgery in case of severe digestive problems treatment. The best gastroenterology hospitals in Palam Vihar, Gurgaon include the Park Hospitals. Park Hospital also has a gastroenterology hospital in Jaipur. Book an appointment and speak to a doctor about your digestive problems before it worsens.
