Nearly everyone has a digestive problem at one time or another. Some conditions, such as indigestion or mild diarrhea, are common; they result in mild discomfort and get better on their own or are easy to treat. Others, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can be long lasting or troublesome. GI specialists or gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in the digestive system) can be helpful when dealing with these conditions.
Conditions Affecting the Esophagus
Conditions affecting the esophagus may be congenital (meaning people are born with them) or noncongenital (meaning people can develop them after birth).
These include:
Tracheoesophageal fistula (pronounced: tray-KEE-oh-ih-saf-uh-jee-ul FISH-chuh-luh) and esophageal atresia (pronounced: ih-saf-uh-JEE-ul uh-TREE-zhuh) are both examples of congenital conditions. Tracheoesophageal fistula is where there is a connection between the esophagus and the trachea (windpipe) where there shouldn't be one. In babies with esophageal atresia, the esophagus comes to a dead end instead of connecting to the stomach. Both conditions are usually detected soon after a baby is born — sometimes even beforehand. They require surgery to repair.
Esophagitis (pronounced: ih-saf-uh-JEYE-tus) or inflammation of the esophagus, is an example of a noncongenital condition. Esophagitis is usually caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which the esophageal sphincter (the tube of muscle that connects the esophagus with the stomach) allows the acidic contents of the stomach to move backward up into the esophagus. GERD can sometimes be corrected through lifestyle changes, such as adjusting the types of things a person eats. Sometimes, though, it requires treatment with medication. Occasionally, esophagitis can be caused by infection or certain medications.
Conditions Affecting the Stomach and Intestines
Almost everyone has experienced diarrhea or constipation at some point in their lives. With diarrhea, muscle contractions move the contents of the intestines along too quickly and there isn't enough time for water to be absorbed before the feces are pushed out of the body. Constipation is the opposite: The contents of the large intestines do not move along fast enough and waste materials stay in the large intestine so long that too much water is removed and the feces become hard.
Other common stomach and intestinal disorders include:
Celiac disease is a digestive disorder caused by the abnormal response of the immune system to a protein called gluten, which is found in certain foods. People with celiac disease have difficulty digesting the nutrients from their food because eating things with gluten damages the lining of the intestines over time. Some of the symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. The disease can be managed by following a gluten-free diet.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder that affects the colon. When the muscles in the colon don't work smoothly, a person can feel the abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea that may be signs of IBS. There's no cure for IBS, but it can be managed by making some dietary and lifestyle changes. Occasionally, medications may be used as well.
Gastritis and peptic ulcers. Under normal conditions, the stomach and duodenum are extremely resistant to irritation by the strong acids produced in the stomach. Sometimes, though, a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori or the chronic use of certain medications weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum, allowing acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. This can irritate and inflame the lining of the stomach (a condition known as gastritis) or cause peptic ulcers, which are sores or holes that form in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum and cause pain or bleeding. Medications are usually successful in treating these conditions.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is chronic inflammation of the intestines that affects older kids, teens, and adults. There are two major types: ulcerative colitis, which usually affects just the rectum and the large intestine, and Crohn's disease, which can affect the whole gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus as well as other parts of the body. They are treated with medications, but in some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove inflamed or damaged areas of the intestine.
Disorders of the Pancreas, Liver, and Gallbladder
Conditions affecting the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder often affect the ability of these organs to produce enzymes and other substances that aid in digestion.
These include:
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic, inherited illness that not only affects the lungs, but also causes the production of abnormally thick mucus. This mucus blocks the ducts or passageways in the pancreas and prevents its digestive juices from entering the intestines, making it difficult for a person to properly digest proteins and fats. This causes important nutrients to pass out of the body unused. To help manage their digestive problems, people with cystic fibrosis can take digestive enzymes and nutritional supplements.
Hepatitis is a viral infection in which the liver becomes inflamed and can lose its ability to function. Some forms of viral hepatitis are highly contagious. Mild cases of hepatitis A can be treated at home; however, serious cases involving liver damage may require hospitalization.
The gallbladder can develop gallstones and become inflamed — a condition called cholecystitis (pronounced: ko-lee-sis-TYE-tus). Although gallbladder conditions are uncommon in teens, they can occur when a teen has sickle cell anemia or is being treated with certain long-term medications.
The kinds and amounts of food a person eats and how the digestive system processes that food play key roles in maintaining good health. Eating a healthy diet is the best way to prevent common digestive problems