Disorders of Digestive System

The process of breaking down complex organic compounds ingested by us into small molecules for proper absorption and release of energy is called Digestion. And any disturbance in the process of digestion leads to abnormal body conditions. The abnormal body situations are called Disorders of the digestive system. There are many types of disorders observed based on different factors. 

Disorders of Digestive System:

In the case of gastrointestinal disease or disorders of the digestive system, the functions of the gastrointestinal tract and alimentary canal organs do not work properly and achieve the digestion of foods successfully. Patients in such cases usually develop symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, malabsorption, constipation, or obstruction.

Henceforth,  Digestive disorders are the cause of ill health for millions of people around the world, and the causes and symptoms of these are numerous. They vary from slight heartburn or nausea after eating a big meal, to serious, such as colon cancer.

Some of the common digestive disorders :

Below is the list of some of the most common disorders of the digestive system along with their causes, symptoms, and remedial actions.

Indigestion:

• It is often a sign of an underlying problem, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or gallbladder disease, rather than a condition of its own.
•  It is also called dyspepsia and is defined as persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. 
• It is a group of symptoms that often include bloating, nausea, and burping. 
• It is usually caused by stomach acid encountering the mucosa of the digestive system – the sensitive protective lining of the digestive system. 
• In many cases, it is caused by infection or some medications.

Constipation:

• It is a common digestive issue in which bowel movements are infrequent or difficult to pass. 
• A person feels constipated when he/she has fewer than three bowel movements in a week. 
• The main causes of constipation are lack of fibre in the diet, physical inactivity, use of certain drugs, not taking enough water, etc.

Vomiting:

• It is described as a  forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach via the mouth or sometimes the nose.
• It is also known as emesis. 

• There are many causes of vomiting. Some of them are as wide-ranging as those for nausea and include anything from food poisoning or gastritis to head injuries

Jaundice: 

• It is also known as Icterus.
•  It is the appearance of a yellowish tinge to the skin and sclerae (the white part of the eye) that is caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). Body fluids may also be yellow. 
• It is a waterborne disease, which means it is caused by a viral infection that enters our body through water and infects the liver. 

Diarrhoea: 

• It is described as a bowel infection.
•  It is characterised by abnormally loose or watery stools and occurs when fluid cannot be absorbed from your bowel contents, or when extra fluid leaks into the bowel, causing watery stools. 

Conclusion:

Henceforth this unit helps us to learn about the Disorders of the Digestive system. It’s cause and system. It is important to know about the factors that are responsible for such abnormalities. These digestive disorders are the cause of ill health for millions of people around the world, and the causes and symptoms of these are numerous. They vary from slight heartburn or nausea after eating a big meal, to serious, such as colon cancer.