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Gastroenterology is a field of medicine linked to the body’s functions related to our digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal tract. “All disease starts in the gut,” as Hippocrates once stated. Indeed, the health of our intestines affects our overall well-being deeply. According to Nitesh Ratnakar, over 70 million Americans suffer from GI conditions, which points out the importance of addressing these issues. In this guide, we’ll look into the symptoms, treatment, and causes of gastrointestinal diseases, helping you to take control of your digestive health.
Symptoms of Gastric Problems
The type of disorder a patient is suffering from determines the symptoms of their stomach issues. The common symptoms include-
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Heartburn
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Urinary incontinence
- Low fever
- Nausea and vomiting
There can be a variety of digestive problems, ranging from mild to severe. Here are some of the most common gastrointestinal disorders:
- Stomach problems like gastritis, ulcers, or even stomach cancer
- Issues with your oesophagus, such as acid reflux or difficulty swallowing
- Gallstone disease, which affects your gallbladder and bile ducts
- Rectal disorders like haemorrhoids or faecal incontinence
Causes
Gastrointestinal disorders can stem from various factors that impact our digestion. Here are some common causes explained by Nitesh Ratnakar:
- Low Water Absorption: Not drinking enough water can lead to digestive issues because water helps break down food and absorb nutrients efficiently. Plus, it prevents constipation by keeping things moving smoothly in the digestive tract.
- Stress: Stress affects our digestive system, causing problems like loss of weight, stomach pain, bloating, and changes in gut bacteria. Managing stress can help alleviate these issues.
- Low Fiber Diet: Fiber is essential for good digestive health. It helps food move through the digestive system easily and prevents constipation. Eating foods abundant in fiber, like fruits and vegetables, is crucial.
- Lactose Intolerance: Some people can’t digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy products. Consuming dairy can lead to gas, diarrhoea, and bloating for them. Choosing lactose-free alternatives can help avoid these symptoms.
- Aging: As we age, our digestive system may not work as efficiently. Factors like decreased digestive gland activity and medication use can cause issues like reflux and constipation. Plus, the risk of gastrointestinal cancer increases with age.
By being mindful of these factors and making healthy choices, we can support our digestive health and overall well-being.
Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal
Among the most frequent risk factors for digestive disorders are the following ones:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Genetic factors
- Taking certain drugs
- Travelling
- Change in the normal routine
Diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases
When your gut issues don’t seem to ease up, doctors have a few tricks up their sleeves to figure out what’s going on. First off, they’ll chat with you about your medical history and symptoms. Then, they might give you a once-over to check things out. But if they need more information, they might suggest some tests:
- Stool Culture: They’ll ask you to provide a poop sample. Gross, but it helps them see if any pesky bacteria are causing issues in your gut.
- Faecal Occult Blood Test: This is a fancy way of saying they’ll check your poop for any hidden blood. It’s a clue that something might be off in your digestive system.
- Colorectal Transit Study: This test tracks how food moves through your colon. It gives doctors a better idea of what might be causing your tummy troubles.
- Barium Beefsteak Meal: You’ll be asked to swallow a special liquid called barium, and then they’ll take X-rays to see if there are any problems in your stomach, esophagus, or small intestine.
- CT Scan (or CAT Scan): This machine takes a bunch of X-ray pictures from different angles to create a detailed image of your insides. Moreover, it helps doctors spot any issues in your digestive system.
- MRI: This is like a CT scan but uses magnets instead of X-rays to create images. It gives doctors a super clear picture of what’s going on in your gut.
- Radioisotope Gastric-Emptying Scan: It helps doctors see how quickly food leaves your stomach using a special radioactive substance.
Treatments for Gastrointestinal Diseases
Gastrointestinal diseases are often diagnosed through a thorough check-up and different tests. Here are some advanced procedures used for treating these disorders:
- Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD): This procedure helps remove tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, whether they’re benign or cancerous. It’s less invasive and less costly than traditional surgery and is usually done in a day under general anesthesia.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound: This involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera down the throat to see the gastrointestinal tract. An ultrasound probe at the end helps get detailed images of any problems. It’s useful for diagnosing diseases and guiding treatments.
- Manometry: This test checks how well the muscles in the esophagus work when you swallow. It helps diagnose swallowing problems.
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): ERCP combines endoscopy and x-rays to find and treat issues in the bile or pancreatic ducts. It’s helpful for conditions like bile duct cancer and pancreatic cysts.
- Hydrogen Breath Test: This test finds out if you have too much bacteria in your small intestine or trouble absorbing certain sugars.
- Colonoscopy: It’s a check-up for the large intestine and rectum. However, doctors use it to look for signs of colon cancer, like polyps, and to check for bleeding.
Endnote
In conclusion, catching digestive issues early and getting help makes a big difference in feeling better. Nitesh Ratnakar suggests that you keep an eye on symptoms and don’t hesitate to see a doctor if something feels off. Looking forward, scientists are working hard to find even better ways to diagnose and treat gut issues. By staying curious and staying in touch with healthcare professionals, digestive problems are easier to manage.
