Disease digestive system NOS

Diseases of the digestive system, also known as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, affect the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), and rectum, as well as the accessory organs of digestion, such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Here’s an overview of some common and significant diseases within this system:

  1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
    1. Description: Occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the oesophagus.
    2. Symptoms: Heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing.
    3. Management: Lifestyle modifications (diet changes, weight loss), medications (antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors), and surgery in severe cases.
  2. Barrett’s Esophagus
    1. Description: Changes in the cells of the lower esophagus, often due to chronic acid reflux.
    2. Symptoms: Often none, or similar to GERD.
    3. Management: Regular monitoring, medications to reduce acid reflux, surgery or endoscopic therapies in some cases.
  3. Esophagitis
    1. Description: Inflammation of the esophagus.
    2. Causes: Acid reflux, infections, certain medications.
    3. Symptoms: Difficulty swallowing, chest pain, heartburn.
    4. Management: Antacids, acid reducers, treating underlying cause.
  4. Hiatus Hernia
    1. Description: A portion of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm into the chest cavity.
    2. Causes: Age-related changes, injury, pressure on the abdomen.
    3. Symptoms: Often asymptomatic, but can include heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing.
    4. Management: Lifestyle changes, medications for acid reflux, surgery in severe cases.
  5. Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
    1. Description: Ulcers that develop on the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine, or esophagus.
    2. Causes: H. pylori infection, prolonged use of NSAIDs.
    3. Symptoms: Stomach pain, bloating, heartburn.
    4. Management: Antibiotics (for H. pylori), proton pump inhibitors, lifestyle modifications.
  6. Gastroparesis
    1. Description: Delayed emptying of the stomach.
    2. Causes: Often idiopathic, diabetes, surgery, GLP-1
    3. Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, feeling full quickly.
    4. Management: Dietary changes, medications to stimulate stomach muscles, managing underlying conditions.
  7. Hepatitis
    1. Description: Inflammation of the liver, often caused by viruses (Hepatitis A, B, C).
    2. Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain.
    3. Management: Vaccinations (for types A and B), antiviral drugs (for type C), liver transplant in severe cases.
  8. Liver Cirrhosis
    1. Description: Late-stage scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by various liver diseases and conditions.
    2. Symptoms: Weakness, fatigue, bruising easily, jaundice.
    3. Management: Treating underlying cause, medications, liver transplant in advanced cases.
  9. Ascites
    1. Description: Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, often due to severe liver disease.
    2. Symptoms: Swelling in the abdomen, weight gain, bloating.
    3. Management: Diuretics, paracentesis, treating underlying liver disease.
  10. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
    1. Description: Accumulation of fat in the liver not due to alcohol use.
    2. Causes: Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol.
    3. Management: Weight loss, control of diabetes, cholesterol-lowering medications.
  11. Gallstones and Cholecystitis
    1. Description: Hardened deposits in the gallbladder (gallstones) can lead to inflammation (cholecystitis).
    2. Symptoms: Severe pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, vomiting.
    3. Management: Surgery (cholecystectomy), medications to dissolve gallstones (Ursodiol)
  12. Pancreatitis
    1. Description: Inflammation of the pancreas.
    2. Causes: Gallstones, alcohol abuse, GLP-1
    3. Symptoms: Upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.
    4. Management: Hospitalization, pain management, IV fluids, removal of gallstones, alcohol abstinence.
  13. Pancreatic Cysts
    1. Description: Fluid-filled sacs on the pancreas.
    2. Causes: Can be congenital or acquired due to pancreatitis or trauma.
    3. Symptoms: Often asymptomatic, can cause abdominal pain if large.
    4. Management: Monitoring, surgical removal if necessary.
  14. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases)
    1. Description: Chronic conditions that cause inflammation of the GI tract.
    2. Symptoms: Diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in stool, weight loss.
    3. Management: Anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, biologics, surgery.
  15. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
    1. Description: A disorder affecting the large intestine.
    2. Symptoms: Cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation.
    3. Management: Dietary changes (FODMAPS), fiber supplements, medications (laxatives, antidiarrheal drugs, anticholinergic drugs), stress management.
  16. Celiac Disease
    1. Description: An immune reaction to eating gluten.
    2. Symptoms: Diarrhea, bloating, gas, fatigue, weight loss.
    3. Management: Strict gluten-free diet.
  17. Lactose Intolerance
    1. Description: Inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.
    2. Symptoms: Diarrhea, gas, bloating after consuming dairy.
    3. Management: Lactose-free diet, lactase enzyme supplements.
  18. Gastroenteritis
    1. Description: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
    2. Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever.
    3. Management: Hydration, rest, antiemetic and antidiarrheal medications if necessary.
  19. Constipation
    1. Description: Difficulty in bowel movements or infrequent stools.
    2. Causes: Poor diet, lack of physical activity, dehydration, certain medications.
    3. Management: High-fiber diet, increased fluid intake, exercise, laxatives, stool softeners.
  20. Diverticular Disease
    1. Description: Small pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall that become inflamed or infected.
    2. Symptoms: Abdominal pain, fever, nausea, changes in bowel habits.
    3. Management: High-fiber diet, antibiotics, surgery in severe cases.
  21. Haemorrhoids
    1. Description: Swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus.
    2. Causes: Straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation, pregnancy.
    3. Management: High-fiber diet, sitz baths, over-the-counter creams, surgical procedures in severe cases.
  22. Anal Fissures
    1. Description: Small tears in the lining of the anus.
    2. Causes: Passing large or hard stools, chronic diarrhea.
    3. Management: Increased fiber intake, sitz baths, topical anesthetics, surgery in chronic cases.
  23. Gastrointestinal Cancers
    1. Types: Include esophageal, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, liver cancer.
    2. Symptoms: Vary based on type but can include weight loss, abdominal pain, jaundice, changes in bowel habits.
    3. Management: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy.

Diagnostic Tools

  • Blood Tests: Liver function tests, complete blood count, etc.
  • Stool Tests: To check for blood, fat, parasites, bacteria, or other abnormalities.
  • Breath Tests: For diagnosing lactose intolerance and bacterial overgrowth.
  • Imaging: X-rays, CT scans, MRI, Ultrasounds.
  • Endoscopy: For visual examination of the GI tract.
    • OGD (Oseophago-Gastro-Duedonoscopy): To examine the upper GIT
    • Colonoscopy: To examine the colon.
  • Capsule Endoscopy: Swallowing a small, camera-equipped capsule to examine the small intestine.
  • Biopsy: To examine tissue samples.