Gastrointestinal diseases – causes, symptoms & therapy

Gastrointestinal Diseases

Gastrointestinal diseases are diseases of the digestive tract. They occur in various forms and the treatment methods also differ considerably in some cases. Most forms can be prevented in a similar way.

What is gastrointestinal disease?

Gastrointestinal diseases are complaints related to the digestive tract. A distinction is made between acid-related and functional diseases, digestive problems, bile duct diseases and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. The causes and treatment or therapy are just as varied.

causes

Due to the large number of different gastrointestinal diseases, the causes can also be very different. Simple abdominal pain is often due to an overloaded stomach, while serious conditions like stomach cancer are favored by both certain dietary habits and genetic factors. Likewise, carcinomas in the intestines and chronic gastric hyperacidity.

There are also a large number of gastrointestinal diseases that are caused by infections. So of course the gastrointestinal flu, which is transmitted from person to person and is usually harmless.The so-called Giardia infection is also triggered by pathogens in the intestine. Giardia are unicellular intestinal parasites that can occur in the form of cysts or as trophozoites.

If it is a salmonella infection, the causes lie in the consumption of contaminated food.

Acid-related diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are mainly triggered by an overproduction of gastric acid and gastric juice. Well-known diseases are irritable bowel syndrome, irritable stomach and the so-called diaphragmatic hernia.

Stomach ulcers are also caused by excess stomach acid. Gastrointestinal diseases have a variety of causes. They can also trigger psychological stress. Stomach ulcers and cysts in particular can grow as a result of constant stress and lead to severe symptoms.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases:

Symptoms are highly dependent on the disease in question. In most cases, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting occur. The resulting loss of fluids can lead to circulatory problems.

Aches and pains in the limbs, nausea and, in some cases, fever also occur. A darkening of the stool can be the first indication of a serious illness.

Serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach cancer, are also accompanied by severe pain and a feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen. Unwanted weight loss can also be a first indication. Difficulty swallowing and pain immediately after eating. The symptoms can be diverse, but overlap in most diseases in the stomach and intestines.

shapes and types

  • Intestinal parasites

The possible forms and types of gastrointestinal diseases are numerous. They range from diarrheal diseases such as amoebic dysentery to gastritis and chronic inflammatory diseases of the small intestinal mucosa. There are basically five different forms of gastrointestinal disease.

Acid-related gastrointestinal diseases:

This includes diseases that are related to the stomach acid and in particular the digestive enzymes it contains. If these get to places that are not sufficiently protected by the mucous membrane or if too many enzymes are produced, various symptoms occur. These include heartburn and reflux, stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Functional gastrointestinal diseases:

This form is present when there is no organic cause for the disease in question. The organs are therefore fully functional. Functional diseases are further divided into different types. In addition to the reflux type, these are the aerophagic type, the dysmotility type and the idiopathic type. The latter type is present when the symptoms cannot be assigned to a specific cause. Finally, digestive problems can also occur due to hypoacidity.

treatment and therapy

Gastrointestinal diseases are treated very specifically depending on the cause. Home remedies such as grated nutmeg can help with simple disorders such as heartburn or mild abdominal pain. In the case of serious complaints, the measures can range from the administration of drugs to surgical interventions.

If there is a gastro-intestinal flu, preparations are used. Bed rest is also ordered by the attending physician. Adequate fluid intake must also be ensured, as there is a risk of dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea.

Acid-related symptoms can often be dealt with simply by changing your diet. Depending on the disease, psychotherapy can also be useful, since the gastrointestinal tract is extremely sensitive to stress.

In the case of serious cancers in the gastrointestinal tract in particular, the extent of the disease also plays a role in the treatment. Normally, in addition to chemotherapy, targeted drugs are also administered to slow down the growth of metastases. Surgical interventions are also possible to a limited extent, but cannot always be carried out due to the position of the intestine.

prevention

Gastrointestinal diseases can be prevented very effectively. In general, a healthy and balanced diet and avoiding weight problems already help. This protects the gastrointestinal tract and the risk of illness is low. Avoiding alcohol also protects the gastrointestinal region.

Diarrhea and constipation diseases can be avoided as well as heartburn and similar disorders. Physical activity also strengthens the immune system, which reduces the risk of infection. Stress reduction also has a positive effect on gastrointestinal diseases.

Autogenic training and relaxation measures prevent symptoms and not only serve as a treatment option. In addition, serious illnesses can be prevented by taking preventive medical check-ups.

Colon cancer in particular can be treated effectively with early detection. Stomach ulcers should also be examined and removed if possible. Likewise, persistent complaints must be treated to prevent aggravation.

Finally, it helps to comply with the usual hygiene guidelines. Regular hand washing, in combination with a healthy immune system and a balanced diet, can already prevent a large part of possible gastrointestinal diseases.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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