DIGESTIVE SYSTEM - DISEASES

● CELIAC DISEASE
○ Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease that occurs due to the intake of
gluten. This causes our small intestine to work less efficiently as it damages your
small intestine’s lining and blocks it from absorbing the required nutrients. It also
causes loss of villi & brush border, and increased numbers of WBC’s. Some
symptoms of this disease are diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal distension and
bloating. Following a strict gluten-free diet can prevent this disease.

● CONSTIPATION
○ Constipation occurs when waste or stool moves too slowly through the digestive
tract or cannot be eliminated effectively from the rectum. This causes an
accumulation which gets stuck in your intestine. Constipation can be prevented
while maintaining a balanced diet.

● CYSTIC FIBROSIS
○ Cystic fibrosis is an inherited life-threatening disorder that damages your lungs and
the digestive system. When a person has cystic fibrosis a sticky mucus blocks the
ducts in the pancreas which prevents the enzymes from reaching the small intestine
to digest food. This disease is not curable.

● GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)

○ Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach
contents leak backward from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe).This
backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus. Doctors usually
prescribe Antacids that neutralize stomach acid and in extreme cases, it can be cured
by a surgery.

● INDIGESTION
○ Indigestion is caused due to stomach acid coming into contact with the protective
lining of the digestive system leading to irritation or discomfort in your upper
abdomen. This causes an irregular meal pattern which affects our lifestyle.
Symptoms of indigestion include feeling uncomfortably full or heavy belching or
flatulence (passing wind) bringing food or fluid back up from your stomach (reflux)
 bloating, feeling sick (nausea) vomiting.Psychological therapies, antacids, and diet
are treatments for indigestion.

● INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

○ Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to several long-term conditions that involve
inflammation of the digestive tract, or gut. This affects your small intestine as the
inflammation most commonly occurs in your small intestine. This is curable.
Aminosalicylates or mesalazines are usually given to reduce inflammation in the gut.

● IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

○ An intestinal disorder causing pain in the stomach, wind, diarrhea and

constipation.(IBS) is a common disorder that affects the stomach and intestines.
Probiotics, managing a diet are few treatments for IBS.

● LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
○ Lactose intolerance is the inability to fully digest sugar (lactose) in dairy
products.Lactose intolerance happens when your small intestine does not make
enough of a digestive enzyme called lactase, which leads to malnutrition. Lactase
tablets are one of the treatments of Lactose intolerance. The signs and symptoms of
lactose intolerance usually begin from 30 minutes to two hours after eating or
drinking foods that contain lactose. The symptoms include Diarrhea, Nausea,
Vomiting, Stomach cramps, Bloating, Gas.

● ULCERS
○ A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of your stomach, small intestine or
esophagus. ulcers can block passage of food through the digestive tract, causing
you to become full easily, to vomit and to lose weight. Ulcers are cured within a
month or 2 with the help of antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors.