Common GI Conditions
Indigestion, Celiac Disease, GERD
What Are The Most Common GI Conditions
A stomachache is a common symptom experienced by many Americans throughout their lives. But when symptoms occur frequently and interfere with daily life, it can become problematic to one’s health. Gastrointestinal disorders are a growing cause of GI doctor visits, accounting for nearly 40% of the American population. According to studies approximately 1 in 4 individuals will experience gastrointestinal symptoms or conditions in their lifetime; therefore, it is important to know about common gastrointestinal conditions so patients can better pinpoint their symptoms before visiting a top GI doctor. Once properly diagnosed, patients can learn about their treatment options.
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Symptoms of GI Conditions
There are different factors that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as environmental factors; a malfunctioning immune system, genetic predisposition, aging, obesity, even stress and diet can trigger certain conditions. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn and indigestion are all common symptoms experienced by Americans. The severity and frequency of these symptoms, however, will determine if they stem from a preexisting GI condition. Individuals experiencing symptoms should contact a GI doctor near you to learn about treatment options available. GI conditions can be difficult to diagnose because many of gastrointestinal conditions share symptoms. As a result doctors will perform various testing to determine an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan depending on the severity of the condition. Common GI diagnostic testing includes: blood tests, full blood count test, colonoscopy, endoscopy, abdominal CT scans, stool tests, biopsies, and MRIs.
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a broad term to describe GI symptoms that range from feeling uncomfortable after eating a meal, feeling too full, bloating, tightness in the stomach, nausea, and pain related to digestion. Heartburn is typically considered a separate symptom from indigestion. Indigestion can be experienced regularly or seldom depending on the person and severity of the symptom, which can be a symptom of a more problematic condition such as a peptic ulcer or type of acid reflux. It is advised to contact a GI doctor if you experience the following symptoms that persist for more than 2 weeks: frequent vomiting, blood in vomit, weight loss or loss of appetite, black tarry stools, difficult or painful swallowing, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, sweating, or pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or arm. Doctors will often determine the underlying condition by performing various testing. Common treatment and relief from indigestion includes: managing stress and changing diet; in addition, doctors also can prescribe antibiotics and antacids.
Diarrhea is one the most common symptoms experienced by many Americans and is identified by a loose stool consistency. Diarrhea has variations of severity and causes; For instance, acute diarrhea lasts less than 2 weeks, persistent diarrhea between 2-4 weeks, and chronic diarrhea more than 4 weeks. Viruses are a common cause for diarrhea, as well as diet changes including increased intake of coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, diet foods, and gums or mints that contain poorly absorbable sugars. Individuals often experience one or more symptoms: abdominal cramps, fever, chills, and urgency to have a bowel movement. For persistent to chronic diarrhea, GI doctors will request blood work to rule out anemia, infections, evaluate kidney function, screen for electrolyte abnormalities, renal insufficiency, or assess proper nutrition.
Constipation is a symptom that makes up for approximately 2.5 million doctor visits in the United States each year. Constipation is defined as infrequent stools and/or trouble passing stool. Constipation is often a result of dehydration and slow moving stool. Stool that sits in the digestive tract can absorb too much water, making the stool more hardened and difficult to pass. Other factors include drugs, a change in diet, or poor coordination of the pelvis and anal muscles. To diagnose symptoms of constipation, GI doctors typically perform a rectal exam followed by examining the lower part of the large intestine, through use of a sigmoidoscopy, or view the entire intestine through a colonoscopy.
GER and GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux, or acid reflux, is a common GI condition that occurs when stomach acid used to break down food in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. As a result, this causes a burning sensation in the chest known as heartburn. Medical experts also refer to gastroesophageal reflux as; reflux, acid reflux, acid indigestion, or acid regurgitation. People with symptoms of GER, usually experience them following meals and at night. It is recommended to consult a GI doctor near you if symptoms persist more than twice a week. Frequent symptoms of GER may be a sign of GERD. GERD is the chronic condition of GER. According to NIDDK, approximately 10-20% of Americans have GERD. This digestive disease occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter weakens or it relaxes when it should be active, causing long-lasting acid reflux. GERD can cause damage to the esophagus and is typically treated using over the counter medication and changing individual’s diet to eliminate certain foods or drinks that increase symptoms.
Gallstones
Gallstones, medically known as cholelithiasis, are common GI conditions that affect approximately 20 million Americans each year. An actual gallstone is a small solid deposit that forms inside the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an organ in digestion as it stores bile produced by the liver, which is secreted during digestion. Gallstones can occur for different reasons including: excess cholesterol in bile, waste in bile, or a malfunction during excretion. Sometimes gallstones can block the cystic duct, the exit from the gallbladder to the intestines, which is a condition known as cholecystitis. cholecystitis causes a very sharp pain in the upper right abdomen and also includes gallbladder inflammation and spasms. To treat gallstones, a top GI doctor in Queens, NY may prescribe medication to dissolve the stones or opt to have the gallstones surgically removed altogether.
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is a gastrointestinal disorder that is essentially a serious food allergy to gluten. If ingested, gluten immediately damages villi, which are located in the small intestine and prohibit nutritional absorption. In many cases celiac disease is misdiagnosed because its symptoms can differ from person to person. According to the National Foundation of Celiac Disease, approximately 83% of Americans are unaware they suffer from this disorder. Patients experiencing the following symptoms should consult a GI doctor near you: abdominal bloating, gas, stomach pain, chronic diarrhea, constipation, foul-smelling or oily stool, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, aside from other non-digestive related symptoms. A top GI doctor in Queens, NY will typically suggest blood work and/or an endoscopy, as well as advise the patient to eliminate foods that contain gluten (protein found in rye, barley and wheat) from their diet.
Peptic Ulcer Disease
A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach caused by stomach acid. There are two types of peptic ulcers, each of which are named after a location in the body. Duodenum ulcers are found in the small intestine, whereas Gastric ulcers are found in the stomach. It is not uncommon for individuals to experience both types of peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are sometimes difficult to diagnose because individuals may not suffer from symptoms other than upper abdominal pain. Peptic ulcers can also cause bleeding; and if left untreated, ulcers can slowly bleed causing anemia or worse, a life-threatening hemorrhage. It is important to note anemia-related symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath and pale complexion.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body attacks healthy bacteria within the stomach. It is also known as an inflammatory disease affecting the illuemn in the small intestine and colon in the large intestine, which functions moving stool through the rectum. This type of disease is also part of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America reports as many as 700,000 Americans may suffer from this disease each year. There is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease; however, it is important to identify these treatable symptoms, which include: constipation, abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and persistent diarrhea. To determine if individuals have contracted Crohn’s disease, GI doctors will administer a colonoscopy, lab tests or imaging tests.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the lining of the large intestine, known as the colon. This type of condition shares symptoms of other GI conditions similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In addition, ulcerative colitis has been known to cause ulcers and inflammation. This disease is considered hereditary and affects both men and woman who are predominantly Caucasian. Patients suffering from ulcerative colitis can also experience frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, bloody stools and abdominal discomfort. The cycles of symptoms experienced with this disease often go in and out of active vs. remission; depending on the severity of the colon, symptoms can advance over time. One of the most serious, rare and potentially life-threatening complications of ulcerative colitis is toxic or fulminant colitis. Fulminant colitis impacts the entire colon causing severe pain, diarrhea, dehydration, and even shock. This chronic disease can result in dangerous complications, such as a ruptured colon that can become severely distended either abnormally swelled or stretched from internal pressure inside the intestine. Patients who experience any symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis should promptly contact a GI doctor to take precaution before leading to fulminant colitis.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a very common condition that affects approximately 35 million Americans. This condition is due to an overly sensitive large intestine (colon). IBS is diagnosed when symptoms occur more than 3 times per month for numerous months. Symptoms of IBS vary from diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, stool, and bloating which is the most common factor. IBS symptoms can be treated with changes in diet to avoid types of food that produce gas: dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, and various vegetables.
Hemorrhoids
According to the NDKK nearly 75% of Americans over the age of 45 have experienced hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are identified as large varicose veins or enlarged blood vessels, spurning the anus. Hemorrhoids can be either external, in the anus and/or internal, in the rectum. This type of GI condition is not life threatening and is highly treatable. Causes of hemorrhoids can result from heavy lifting, pregnancy, strain, chronic constipation or diarrhea. Symptoms of hemorrhoids can include discomfort, itching, mucus discharge, burning at the anus, pain, a sensation that the bowel is not really empty, and bleeding without pain. Sometimes a clot may form in the hemorrhoid, which can be removed by lancing or draining by a GI doctor.
Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis is a GI condition that occurs when small pouches develop along the lining of the colon (large intestine). The cause of this disease is due to walls of the diverticlum being weak or tearing from pressure such as constipation. Diverticulitis is the condition of these pouches becoming infected, inflamed or bleeding. Diverticulitis can become a serious condition. Symptoms common in both conditions include: constant and persist pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, abdominal tenderness, constipation and sometimes diarrhea. It is possible to have diverticulosis without symptoms; however, diverticulitis often causes symptoms. Common causes for this condition can be due to sedentary lifestyle and obesity as well as a low-fiber diet; lacking fiber to create a solid stool; the colon must then work harder than normal to push the stool forward. For example if you live in Queens NY you can find a GI doctor in a gastroenterology center that would diagnose this condition through blood tests and complete blood work. To treat this condition doctors often prescribe antibiotics and sometimes pain medicine.
Anal Fissure
Those who experience straining, severe diarrhea, or hard bowel movements, bleeding or pain proceeding a bowel movement, these are symptoms of anal fissures. Similar to hemorrhoids, anal fissures cause pain, itching and discomfort during bowel movements. They differ, in that anal fissures are small tears or sores, usually a centimeter along a weak lining of the anus. Anal fissures can be a painful condition lasting 1-2 weeks, however they can last longer; fissures that last 6 weeks are considered chronic. Treatment options for a chronic anal fissure include an ointment to relax the anal muscle or if symptoms persist, surgery.