What Are Common Digestive Diseases?

Digestive disorders, also known as gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, affect millions of people in the United States. Some of the most common digestive diseases include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and colorectal cancer.

To diagnose digestive diseases, doctors review your medical history, discuss your current symptoms in detail, perform a physical exam, and may order more extensive diagnostic procedures, such as endoscopies, lab tests, or imaging studies. If you have symptoms of digestive problems, such as bloating, diarrhea, or chronic nausea, it’s strongly urged that you have them assessed by a gastroenterologist.

Some of the most frequently reported symptoms of digestive diseases are:

• Abdominal pain or bloating: With many digestive disorders, the primary symptoms are stomach discomfort and bloating. These symptoms can range from mild aches to severe cramping.

• Heartburn: This symptom, often described as a burning sensation in the chest, occurs due to stomach acid flowing into the esophagus. This symptom is linked to GERD and can be triggered by certain foods or anxiety.

• Constipation: Infrequent bowel movements and hard, dry stools are typical symptoms of constipation, which can be linked to conditions like IBS or diverticulitis.

• Diarrhea: If you often experience loose or watery stools, it may be due to conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, or malabsorption syndromes.

• Nausea or vomiting: Gastritis, peptic ulcers, and various other digestive disorders can cause persistent nausea or vomiting.

• Rectal bleeding: Blood in the stool can be a symptom of anal fissures, hemorrhoids, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or colorectal cancer.

A variety of factors can cause digestive diseases, including your diet, your genetics, and structural abnormalities. If you don’t eat enough fiber, which is essential for healthy bowel movements, you are more likely to experience concerns such as constipation. In addition, it’s essential to focus on healthy habits by getting enough exercise and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Infections, whether caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses, can cause acute or chronic digestive diseases. For example, Helicobacter pylori infection is a common cause of peptic ulcers. Furthermore, conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease often run in families, indicating a genetic component to these disorders. In autoimmune conditions like celiac disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the digestive tract in response to gluten.

In the United States, the most common digestive conditions are:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Common symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, and difficulty swallowing. GERD can lead to more serious complications, such as esophageal ulcers or Barrett’s esophagus, if the condition is left untreated.

• Lactose intolerance: Those with lactose intolerance cannot digest lactose, so they experience severe abdominal cramping, bloating, and diarrhea after consuming milk or other dairy products.

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This condition affects the large intestine, leading to symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.

• Colorectal cancer: In America, this type of cancer is prevalent. Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include unexpected weight loss, bowel habit changes, and blood in the stool.

The treatment for digestive disorders is based on the specific condition you have and the nature of your symptoms. For example, while GERD is often effectively managed through lifestyle changes, inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer require a much more comprehensive approach.

If you are diagnosed with a digestive disease, working with a gastroenterologist is the best way to prevent your condition from worsening or impacting your wellness. These experts can provide personalized recommendations on how to adjust your lifestyle to minimize your symptoms and offer a variety of medical interventions, from prescription medications to surgical approaches.

The dedicated professionals at Digestive Disease Care offer top-quality services to ensure your digestive disease is accurately diagnosed and successfully managed. To get started on the path toward improved digestive wellness, schedule an appointment with us. We have convenient locations to serve you in Jamaica NY, Melville NY, New Hyde Park NY, Forest Hills NY, Jericho NY, Mineola NY, Lake Success NY, Babylon NY, East Setauket NY, Massapequa NY, and BEYOND.