What diseases are common in the gastrointestinal tract?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Huy Binh - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital. Doctor has 09 years of experience in the field of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Gastrointestinal diseases not only cause discomfort but also affect the patient's daily life and work. Timely detection and treatment will help you dispel anxiety about these diseases and lead a healthier life.

1. What gastrointestinal diseases are common?

Common gastrointestinal diseases include: Constipation; Diarrhea; Gastroesophageal reflux; Hemorrhoids. These digestive problems are common, usually last for a short period of time, and are easily manageable with lifestyle changes and medication.

2. Constipation

2.1. What is Constipation?

Constipation occurs when you have a bowel movement less than three times a week. This condition causes difficulty passing stools, difficulty passing stools, and hard or dry stools. In addition, you also have symptoms such as abdominal distension, bleeding during or after defecation.

2.2. Causes of constipation

Common causes of constipation include not eating enough fiber, not drinking enough water, using certain medications, stress, and lack of exercise. Constipation can occur during pregnancy. Increased hormone levels during pregnancy can interfere with the functioning of the digestive system.

2.3. How to treat constipation?

If constipation still does not go away but gets worse, your doctor will prescribe laxatives.
Laxatives help soften stools and make it easier for the patient to pass stools. This is the safest laxative. Besides, you can also use stimulants containing chemicals to increase bowel activity, making it easier for stool to move through the intestines.

2.4. How to prevent constipation?

You can do the following to prevent constipation:
Drink plenty of water Eat at least 25 grams of fiber per day Exercise regularly Avoid over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines

3. Diarrhea

3.1. What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is the passage of loose stools more than three times a day. The disease usually has symptoms of dull abdominal pain, loose stools, dehydration, a large amount of stool and possibly cramps.

3.2. Causes of diarrhea

Some of the main causes of diarrhea include:
Infection with harmful bacteria or viruses, which can be caused by eating unsanitary food or drinking contaminated water Drinking water or eating foods that contain bacteria that the body you are not acclimatized (eg when traveling abroad) Using dairy products, caffeine, artificial sweeteners or certain additives Taking medications, especially antibiotics Gastrointestinal diseases.

3.3. What should I do if I have diarrhea?

If you have diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids to replace lost fluids. If your condition is not good, you should drink liquids containing high sodium content such as broth, soft drinks. Avoid drinking dairy products, sodas, and sugary juices as they can make diarrhea worse.
A fairly useful remedy for diarrhea is the use of an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication. However, they should not be taken if you have a high fever or bloody diarrhea, as it is very likely that you have a bacterial infection.

3.4. What kind of diarrhea should I see a doctor?

If the diarrhea lasts more than 2 days without any signs of improvement, there is blood in the stools, or you have signs of fever, severe abdominal pain, dehydration (frequent thirst, dry skin, fatigue). fatigue, dizziness, little urination, or dark urine) you should see your doctor immediately for an examination and treatment before serious complications occur.
If you use birth control pills, diarrhea may reduce their effectiveness. You should see your doctor if you develop vomiting or diarrhea that lasts for 48 hours or more after taking oral contraceptives or for 3 hours or more after taking a progestin-only pill.

4. Gastroesophageal reflux disease

4.1. What is Gastroesophageal Reflux?

Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the muscles in your esophagus open and close at the wrong time when you swallow. Once there, food and digestive juices, which contain acids, flow back up into your esophagus. Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest and throat, also known as heartburn.

4.2. How to control gastroesophageal reflux?

You can control or even prevent acid reflux by taking the following steps:
Sleep with your head elevated. Divide into several meals throughout the day. Stop smoking. Avoid foods and drinks that stimulate acid secretion, such as high-acid fruits, carbonated drinks, and hot spicy foods. Avoid lying on your back immediately after eating.

4.3. How to treat gastroesophageal reflux?

Several over-the-counter medications are available that can help relieve your symptoms. Antacids reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Other medications prevent the digestive system from making too much acid. These drugs are all readily available in pharmacies and easy to find.
If acid reflux occurs more than twice a week, or you have been taking over-the-counter medications for more than 2 weeks without relief, you need to treat it with lifestyle changes and appropriate medication. Surgery is also used to treat GERD in some more severe cases. Left untreated, the disease can lead to complications, including ulcers in the esophagus, narrowing of the esophagus, and a precancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus.

5. Hemorrhoids

5.1. What is hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are caused by an enlarged or dilated plexus of the veins in the tissue surrounding the anus, causing pain, burning, and discomfort.

5.2. Causes of hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can result from a number of factors:
Being overweight Pregnancy Standing or sitting for long periods of time Stress during physical work Constipation.

5.3. How can hemorrhoids be treated?

Symptoms of hemorrhoids can be relieved by applying ice, sitting in a warm bath, using hemorrhoid creams, or having surgery to remove the disease. Also adding fiber and fluids to your diet can help prevent hemorrhoids.

6. Some other common digestive disorders

Common digestive disorders include:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Mainly in women between the ages of 30-50. The disease causes symptoms such as cramps, bloating, mucus...
Celiac disease: People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten- a protein found naturally in wheat, rye, and wheat. barley. When gluten is eaten, the immune system responds by damaging the lining of the small intestine. Due to this damage, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly. It can cause diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, or abdominal pain and bloating. If left untreated, the disease can increase your risk of serious health problems, including osteoporosis, anemia, and cancer. Treat it by avoiding gluten in your diet.
Colorectal cancer: is cancer of the rectum and colon. It usually starts with a polyp, which over time develops into cancer.
Colon cancer : You can prevent colon cancer with a colonoscopy.

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Reference source: Acog.org