What Are 5 Common Diseases of the Digestive System?
What Are 5 Common Diseases of the Digestive System?
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Common digestive disorders include irritable bowel syndrom (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or chronic heartburn), celiac disease, and diverticulitis.
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What Are the Most Common Gastrointestinal Disorders?

Common digestive disorders include irritable bowel syndrom (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or chronic heartburn), celiac disease, and diverticulitis.

Five common diseases of the digestive system include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a "functional" disorder, because changes in the functioning of the digestive system cause the collection of symptoms referred to as IBS. IBS is a problem with the movement (motility) of the digestive tract rather than a result of damage to the tissues of the digestive system.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

IBD refers to two conditions (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that results in damage to the GI tract.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Acid reflux is a condition in which the acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus , which is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. When acid reflux occurs more than twice weekly, is chronic, or causes uncomfortable symptoms or damage, it is considered to be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD ).

Celiac disease

Also called gluten -sensitive enteropathy, celiac sprue , or non-tropical sprue, celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system responds abnormally to a protein called gluten, leading to damage of the lining of the small intestine, which is responsible for absorbing food and nutrients. Damage to the lining of the small intestine can lead to malabsorption. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and many prepared foods.

Diverticulitis

This is a form of diverticular disease, which occurs when small pouches in the large intestinal (colonic) wall called diverticula, are present. These diverticula arise in the colon and push through weak spots in the colon’s outer muscle layers. Inflammation of the diverticula is called diverticulitis . Diverticular disease that is not inflamed is called diverticulosis.

What Are Symptoms of 5 Common Diseases of the Digestive System?

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include:

Abdominal pain, often accompanying to bowel movements

Changes in bowel movements, which may be diarrhea, constipation, or both, de pending on the type of IBS

Bloating

Feeling as if a bowel movement is incomplete

Whitish mucus in the stool

Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include:

Persistent diarrhea

Abdominal pain

Rectal bleeding/bloody stools

Weight loss

Fatigue

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include:

Heartburn

Acid and undigested food back up into the throat or mouth (regurgitation)

Stomach pain

Chest pain

Difficulty swallowing

Feeling as if food is stuck in the throat

Hoarseness/changes in voice

Sore throat

Unexplained dry cough

Belching

Nausea

Vomiting (may be bloody)

Bloating

Bloody or black stools

Unexplained weight loss

Wheezing

Bad breath

Hiccups

Breathing problems

Tooth erosion

Symptoms of celiac disease include:

Diarrhea

Weight loss

Abdominal discomfort

Excessive gas

Bloating

Constipation

Signs and symptoms caused by vitamin and nutrient deficiencies

Symptoms of diverticulitis include:

Abdominal pain (most commonly in the left lower quadrant, may be severe)

Nausea

Vomiting

Constipation (may be severe)

Diarrhea

Blood in the stool

Fever

Chills

Gas (flatulence)

Bloating

Rectal bleeding (rare)

What Causes 5 Common Diseases of the Digestive System?

The cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown but the brain-gut interaction (how the brain and gut work together) is thought to play a role.

Different factors may play a role in causing IBS, including:

Genetics

Bacterial infections in the digestive tract

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

Food intolerances or sensitivities

Stressful or difficult early life events, such as physical or sexual abuse

Mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom disorder

The cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown, but it is thought to be the result of a defective immune system. In IBD, the immune system responds incorrectly to environmental triggers, which results in inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. There also seems to be a genetic component; people who have with a family history of IBD are more likely to develop this inappropriate immune response.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter becomes weak or relaxes, causing stomach contents to back up into the esophagus.

Causes of lower esophageal sphincter weakness or relaxation include:

Overweight or obesity, which puts increased pressure on the abdomen

Pregnancy, which also increases pressure on the abdomen

Hiatal hernia

Smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke

Certain medicines

Alcohol use

Laying down after eating

Scleroderma

The cause of celiac disease is unknown but it is believed to be a result of a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Celiac disease is more common in Europe, North and South America, Australia, North Africa, the Middle East, and in South Asia, and occurs rarely in people from other parts of Asia or sub-Saharan Africa.

The cause of diverticulitis in Western countries is believed to be due to a high-fat and low-fiber diet .

Other possible causes of diverticulitis include:

Straining to have a bowel movement from constipation

Obesity

Lack of exercise

Smoking

Genetics

Use of certain medications including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, and steroids

How Are 5 Common Diseases of the Digestive System Diagnosed?

Diseases of the digestive system are diagnosed with a patient history and a physical exam. Other tests that may be used to diagnose a specific condition or rule out other conditions include:

Blood tests

Complete blood count (CBC)

Lipid levels (total cholesterol, HDL , LDL, and triglycerides)

Thyroid levels

Antibody levels

Nutritional deficiencies

Electrolyte assays

Blood cultures

Renal function tests

Liver enzyme and lipase levels

Urinalysis

Urine culture

Stool tests to check for blood in the stool or other signs of infections or diseases

Hydrogen breath test to check for other causes of digestive problems such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or problems with carbohydrate digestion, such as lactose intolerance

Upper GI endoscopy with a biopsy

Small intestine biopsy

Esophageal pH and impedance monitoring

Esophageal manometry

Colonoscopy

Imaging studies

Contrast radiography

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Computed tomography (CT)

Bone density (DEXA) scan

Computed tomography (CT) scanning of the abdomen

Lower GI series (barium contrast enema , using water-soluble medium)

Abdominal radiographic (X-ray) series

A pregnancy test for females of childbearing age with abdominal pain

What Is the Treatment for 5 Common Diseases of the Digestive System?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is treated with:

Dietary changes: adding fiber, avoiding gluten, following a low FODMAP diet

Lifestyle changes: increasing physical activity, practicing stress reduction techniques, getting adequate sleep

Medications used to treat IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) may include:

Loperamide (Imodium)

Rifaximin (Xifaxan)

Eluxadoline (Viberzi)

Alosetron (Lotronex), only for women to be used with special warnings and precautions

Medications used to treat IBS with constipation (IBS-C) may include:

Fiber supplements

Laxatives

Lubiprostone (Amitiza)

Linaclotide (Linzess)

Plecanatide (Trulance)

Other medications used to treat abdominal pain associated with IBS may include:

Antispasmodics

Antidepressants

Coated peppermint oil capsules

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) is treated with:

Aminosalicylates

Corticosteroids (such as prednisone)

Immunomodulators

Biologics

Vaccinations to prevent infections

Surgery in severe cases to remove damaged portions of the gastrointestinal tract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be managed in some cases lifestyle changes or by taking non-prescription medicines to decrease the effects of stomach acid.

Home remedies to relieve gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include:

Lose weight if you are overweight or obese

Raise the head of the bed 6 to 8 inches using blocks of wood or rubber under 2 legs of the bed or a foam wedge under the mattress

Avoid foods that worsen symptoms such as coffee, chocolate , alcohol, peppermint, fatty or greasy foods, and spicy foods

Avoid medications such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that may aggravate GERD

Take medications with plenty of water

Don’t smoke

Don’t overeat

Don’t eat 2 to 3 hours before bed -- lying down with a full stomach can make reflux worse

Wear loose clothing around the stomach area

If lifestyle changes do not relieve symptoms GERD, medications to treat GERD include:

Antacids

Histamine blockers

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

Prokinetics

Antibiotics

Surgery is used to treat severe cases of GERD.

The foundation of treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet . Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley, and is also a hidden ingredient in many processed and prepared foods as well as medications and supplements.

A dietitian knowledgeable about celiac disease can help patients learn about a gluten-free diet, what foods to eat and what foods to avoid to maintain nutritional balance. They can also advise on any needed nutritional supplements. People with celiac disease must strictly adhere to a gluten free diet because even small amounts of gluten can trigger or worsen symptoms.

Treatment for mild diverticulitis includes:

Clear liquid diet for 2-3 days; progressing to a soft diet as tolerated

7-10 days of oral broad-spectrum antibiotics if needed

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and antispasmodics for pain

In severe cases hospitalization may be needed. Severe diverticulitis may result in a perforation of the colon wall which may lead to an infection called an abscess. If hospitalized, treatment for severe diverticulitis may include:

Clear liquid diet; progress to a soft diet as tolerated

Intravenous (IV) or oral antibiotics

Abscesses less than 3 cm: Typically resolved with antibiotics

Abscesses greater than 4 cm: Drain percutaneously

Pain management

Elective surgical resection

References

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/

https://www.cdc.gov/ibd/what-is-ibd.htm

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acid-reflux-and-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-in-adults-the-basics

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/celiac-disease-in-adults-beyond-the-basics

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/173388-overview

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diverticulosis-diverticulitis