Digestive Disorders

What are digestive disorders?

A digestive disorder is a condition affecting any part of the digestive tract, including the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine or large intestine. While some digestive disorders can be serious and potentially life-threatening, most are acute conditions that are accompanied by mildly uncomfortable symptoms. The duration of digestive disorders varies, ranging from viral illnesses lasting for a day or two to chronic conditions that last a lifetime.

Examples of digestive disorders include the following:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Pancreatitis
• Gallstones
• Stomach or colon cancer
• Celiac disease
• Gastritis
• Peptic ulcers
• Intestinal blockage

 

What is indigestion?

Indigestion is a general term for a set of symptoms that are sometimes associated with digestive disorders. Everyone experiences indigestion from time to time, but it usually a result of lifestyle factors that can easily be changed.

The symptoms of indigestion include the following:

• You feel uncomfortably full during or immediately after a meal
• You feel discomfort, pain or a burning sensation in your upper abdomen
• You feel bloated and your clothing may seem unusually tight
• You experience uncontrolled belching
• Severe indigestion may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Although indigestion can be a symptom of a digestive disorder, it has several other possible causes, including the following:

• Overeating or finishing a meal too quickly
• Overconsumption of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks
• Overconsumption of fatty or spicy foods
• Some medications
• Anxiety

 

How do I know if I might have a digestive disorder?

The symptoms of digestive disorders vary widely depending on the condition, but some common things to look out for include the following:

• Indigestion that persists in spite of lifestyle changes
• Irregular bowel movements, constipation or diarrhea
• Unintentional or unexplained weight gain or loss
• Dark blood in the stool
• Trouble swallowing
• Unexplained exhaustion, which could indicate anemia