Common Digestive Problems

Digestive health is vital to the overall health of our body. What we eat and how our stomach and intestines process that food and liquid can lead to symptoms of nausea, viruses, constipation and other, more severe consequences like kidney and liver problems. According to a recent study in U.S. News and World Report, there are seven common digestive disorders that you need to be aware of.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is among the most common digestive disorders. The condition itself involves the expectoration of stomach acid up into the esophagus, the tube that connects our throat to our stomach. Heartburn is a fairly normal symptom of the condition and involves a burning sensation that rises up into our chest and heart area. Acid reflux can be either acute, occurring only in the presence of spicy or disagreeable foods, or it can be chronic, occurring on a weekly or daily basis. In chronic cases, the condition is known as GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Ulcers

Ulcers are caused by bacteria that break through the protective lining of the stomach and cause sores and stomach pain. Antibiotics can be used to take care of the ulcers but if they are left untreated, ulcers can cause internal bleeding and they can also eat a hole in the stomach or intestines causing even more serious infection.

Gallstones

Little balls of cholesterol and bile salt are known as gallstones. About a quarter of those with gallstones never know they have them. Gallstones can be misdiagnosed as other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. In the end, the only way to deal with a gallstone problem is to have the gallbladder removed through surgery.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is a sugar that’s found in milk and milk products. When the body has trouble digesting this sugar, it’s called lactose intolerance. Even if you are lactose intolerant, you may still be able to digest some of the lactose in milk but you are more likely to suffer from abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, gas and diarrhea.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease can actually be two conditions; ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease. But there is no test available to determine which of the two digestive problems you have so inflammatory bowel disease suffices for both. With inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, stomach pain, rectal bleeding, anemia and weight loss are known symptoms.