Common Diseases of the Digestive System

Our digestive system plays a vital role in the proper functioning of our body. However, any type of digestive disorder can bring great pain and discomfort in our daily lives. While most digestive disorders can be prevented with proper care and treatment, it is important to study the underlying causes of the disorder.

Digestive enzyme supplements can help to minimize the digestive disorders by mimicking the function of natural enzymes present in the body to assist in absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. With the proper intake of these supplements, you enhance the functioning of the digestive system and curtail the adverse effects of digestive disorders. Read on to further understand the common diseases of the digestive system.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is the most common disorder as stated by the doctors. The syndrome causes bloating, gas, cramping, abdominal pain and constipation. However, the disorder does not cause any change in bowel tissue or increase the risk of colorectal cancer, but it can be stressful as it puts a strain on the digestive system.

There are no known exact causes of this syndrome, but doctors suggest that it can be caused by a change in your body's ability to move food through your digestive system. In some cases, psychological factors such as stress have also played a part in triggering IBS. In some cases, a person may benefit from complementary medicines such as digestive enzyme supplements, homeopathy, or taking probiotics.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is one of the most common disorders of the digestive system and is characterized by passing of frequent watery stools. People may suffer from two types of diarrhoea: acute and chronic. Acute diarrhoea can be easily cured by over-the-counter medicines, increased fluid intakes and maintaining a strict hygiene. However, chronic diarrhoea (long-term) can cause a lot of inconvenience and discomfort. If you have chronic diarrhoea, you may need to visit a doctor for treatment.

Constipation

Constipation can affect anyone. It is regarded more as a symptom and less as a condition, in most cases. Constipation causes difficulty of opening of bowels or passing stools. Constipation can be classified as slow bowel movement, passing stools less than normal, or pain and discomfort while passing stool. It also causes stool to become harder and more compact than usual.

There are a number of reasons a person may experience constipation. These may be a lack of fibrous food, lack of exercise, stressful life or even sometimes laziness to pass stools. In most of the cases, it can be treated fairly easily by eating more fiber, drinking more fluids, exercising more often, or taking prescribed digestive enzyme supplements to facilitate proper digestion of food.

Heartburn

Heartburn is often described as a burning sensation in the chest felt after eating, and it is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems found in the human bodies. Though not a major health ailment, it can be alarming if it is followed by vomiting or severe weight loss.

Doctors in most cases prescribe a change in lifestyle to combat heartburn. You may be asked to avoid eating several hours before going to the bed, eat light meals throughout the day, quit smoking and drinking alcohol, or maintain a healthy weight, among other changes. Prescribed medication, in some cases, may be given to patients suffering from acute heartburn.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic condition that affects the lining of the digestive system and causes inflammation in the gut. It can be one of two conditions one being, inflammatory bowel disease (or IBD) and the other being Ulcerative Colitis The cause of this condition is still unknown; however, research suggests that it may begin with a generic link.

This condition can sometimes cause long-term damage resulting in the formation of deep ulcers. It causes swelling of the gut thus restricting the digestion of food and causing malabsorption. The most common symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain, recurrent diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, and blood and mucus found in feces. Taking digestive enzymes supplements have known to be beneficial in some cases.