Gastrointestinal conditions represent a wide range of health problems affecting the digestive system. The digestive system is responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients and eliminating waste from your body.
Gastrointestinal conditions can be caused by infections or inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (colon). They can also result from physical damage to the GI tract from surgery or other procedures.
Gastrointestinal conditions include:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are types of IBD that affect the colon (large intestine). Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Some people with IBD experience periods when their symptoms are well controlled with medication, while others will have frequent flare-ups for no apparent reason. The cause of IBD is unknown. However, some people may be more likely to develop it if they have certain genetic disorders or infections in childhood.
Acute diarrhea: Diarrhea is a sudden onset of loose stools (bowel movements) that lasts a short time. Acute diarrhea is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It may take less than two weeks.
Chronic diarrhea: Diarrhea that lasts more than two weeks may indicate an underlying health problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or celiac disease (CD). Chronic diarrhea can also be caused by certain medications, food allergies, or other factors that affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food in the intestines.
Colitis: Colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine, the colon. Colitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Symptoms of colitis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss.
Acute colitis usually begins suddenly and lasts less than four weeks. It can be caused by a bacterial infection, or a viral infection such as rotavirus or Norwalk virus. Acute colitis can also be caused by medications or food allergies. Chronic colitis usually develops over time and lasts longer than four weeks. It can be the result of an autoimmune disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Constipation: A condition in which a person does not have a bowel movement for several days or has hard, dry stools. Constipation can be caused by several factors such as diet, lack of exercise and certain medications.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A condition characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in bowel movements (diarrhea and constipation). IBS can be accompanied by bloating, gas and mucus in the stool. It affects millions of Americans, but many do not seek treatment because of embarrassment or fear of the cost of care.
Crohn's disease: An inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation in any part of your digestive tract from your mouth to your anus. Crohn's disease can affect any part of your digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, including the esophagus, small intestine, and large intestine.
Gastroenterologists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases. They have extensive knowledge of how various conditions affect the gastrointestinal system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum. Gastroenterologists often work with other specialists, such as gastroenterology nurses, nutritionists, and dietitians. They also work with pathologists to diagnose diseases using blood and stool analysis.
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