The digestive system is an intricate and extensive part of the body. It ranges from the mouth to the rectum. The digestive system helps the body absorb essential nutrients and is responsible for eliminating toxins.
Digestion problems can mean more than unwanted symptoms. Minor problems that are left untreated can lead to more serious, chronic illnesses. Let’s look at the common digestive problems in detail.
Chronic constipation
Chronic constipation is one of the most common digestive problems that occur when the colon can’t pass or move stools through the rest of the digestive tract. You may experience abdominal pain and bloat as well as fewer bowel movements which are more painful than usual.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Happens when stomach acids go back up into the esophagus, causing chest pain and the trademark burning sensation. If you have more frequent heartburn, you might have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Such frequent episodes can interfere with your daily life and damage your esophagus.
Causes being overweight or obese, unhealthy meals, frequent overeating, lying down too soon after eating, chronic straining or coughing, or chronic heavy lifting.
Inflammatory bowel disease
It is a type of chronic swelling and affects more parts of the digestive tract. IBD can cause more general digestive ailments, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
There are two types of IBD:
Crohn’s disease: affects the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract but most commonly affects the small intestine and the colon
Ulcerative colitis: affects only the colon
Causes eating low-fat, high-fiber meals and avoiding common trigger foods (dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and foods that produce gas.
Gallstones
Gallstones are hard deposits that form in your gallbladder — a small, pear-shaped sack that stores and secretes bile for digestion. When gallstones block the ducts leading from your gallbladder to your intestines, they can cause sharp pain in your upper-right abdomen.
Causes are when there’s too much cholesterol or waste in your bile, or if your gallbladder doesn’t empty properly.
Hemorrhoids
Bright red blood in the toilet bowl when you move your bowels could be a sign of hemorrhoids, which is a very common condition. They are an inflammation of the blood vessels at the end of your digestive tract that can be painful and itchy.
Causes include chronic constipation, diarrhea, straining during bowel movements, and a lack of fiber in your diet.
Identifying specific digestion problems and talking with a gastroenterologist can go a long way in terms of helping your doctor give you a proper diagnosis. Remember, you don’t have to put up with constant digestive issues.
