Common gastrointestinal diseases

Gastrointestinal diseases affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the oesophagus to the anus.

Some common diseases are:

Anal fissures

Cancers - oesophageal,
stomach, liver,
pancreatic, and colon

Celiac disease

Colon polyps

Constipation

Crohn’s disease

Diverticulosis and
diverticulitis

Gallstones

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Irritable bowel
syndrome

Perianal abscesses and
anal fistula

“Colon cancer is one of the top three cancers diagnosed in both men and women. One in 77 males and one in 132 females are diagnosed annually.”

National Cancer Register 2019

Cancers

Cancers of the digestive system include oesophageal, stomach, liver, pancreatic, and colon cancers, all of which are life threatening if only diagnosed at an advanced stage.

A healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing cancer. As there may not be noticeable symptoms at the early stages, regular screenings remain a key measure to identify these cancers early.

Screening for colorectal cancer

Celiac disease

Celiac disease – also known as Celiac sprue or gluten sensitive enteropathy – is a chronic digestive and immune disorder caused in some individuals by eating foods containing gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley). The gluten triggers an immune reaction in your small intestine and over time, damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents nutrient absorption.

Symptoms can include diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating, and anaemia.

Management of Celiac disease

  • There is no cure for Celiac disease, and it can cause long term digestive problems as it robs your body of the nutrients it needs.
  • Following a strict gluten free diet helps manage symptoms and promotes intestinal healing.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease – also known as Celiac sprue or gluten sensitive enteropathy – is a chronic digestive and immune disorder caused in some individuals by eating foods containing gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley). The gluten triggers an immune reaction in your small intestine and over time, damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents nutrient absorption.

Symptoms can include diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating, and anaemia.

Celiac disease in young children

Malabsorption of nutrients can affect your child’s growth and development. The disease can be diagnosed in children from as young as six months to two years old, typically after they first start eating food containing gluten.

In addition to poor growth compared to other children, your child may have loss of appetite, sore stomach, bloating, diarrhoea, and weight loss.

Constipation

Difficulty with passing stools or an inability to completely empty your bowel is referred to as constipation. This may cause you to strain while trying to pass stools and may lead to anal problems such as fissures and haemorrhoids.

Constipation is usually due to insufficient fibre in your diet and not drinking enough water. A lack of exercise can also contribute to the development of constipation. Constipation is usually not a sign of a serious medical condition.

Prevent constipation by:

  • Upping your fibre intake

  • Exercising regularly

  • Using stimulant laxatives or stool softening medication

  • Drinking at least eight glasses of water each day

  • Not delaying passing a stool when you have the urge

If these treatment methods don't work seek medical advice.

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis

Diverticulosis is a condition in which pouches or diverticula form in your intestines. These are generally not harmful. The condition is usually caused by insufficient dietary roughage and fibre, smoking, being overweight, not getting enough exercise, and certain medications.

Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflamed or infected due to them becoming blocked by faeces and tearing, which may cause abscesses.

Diverticulitis can range from mild to severe and can be life threatening when the abscesses rupture through your intestinal wall and cause peritonitis. This will require emergency surgery.

Diverticulitis can also result in a stricture – a narrowing in the area affected – or a blockage of the intestine due to scarring. Another complication is fistulas which can form if infected diverticula form connections with nearby organs.

Who are most commonly affected?

Over
10%

of those affected are over 40 years old.

Who are most commonly affected?


50%

are over 60 years old.

Gallstones

Gallstones are hard deposits of digestive fluid, or bile – most commonly 5 to 10mm in size – that can form in your gallbladder. Only one, or many gallstones can form.

Treatment

If these gallstones cause symptoms they are treated by removing the gallbladder. If there are no symptoms, treatment is usually not needed.

Gallstones symptoms

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

Sudden and sharp pain in the upper right side of your abdomen – the site of your gallbladder

Gallstones symptoms

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

Sudden and sharp pain in the centre of your abdomen, below your breastbone

Gallstones symptoms

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

Back pain between your shoulder blades, or in the right shoulder

Gallstones symptoms

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

Nausea or vomiting

Gallstones symptoms

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes

Gallstones symptoms

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

High fever with chills

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also known as spastic colon, irritable colon, or nervous stomach. This is a condition where your colon muscle contracts, which can be triggered by certain foods, medicine, and stress.

Symptoms can include diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating, and anaemia.

Common symptoms

  • Abdominal pain and cramps
  • Excess gas
  • Bloating
  • Change in bowel movements - either harder, looser, or more urgent stools than normal
  • Alternating diarrhoea and constipation

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also known as spastic colon, irritable colon, or nervous stomach. This is a condition where your colon muscle contracts, which can be triggered by certain foods, medicine, and stress.

Symptoms can include diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating, and anaemia.

You can do the following to help prevent IBS:

  • Increasing your fibre intake
  • Drinking eight glasses of water per day
  • Avoiding excessive caffeine
  • Keeping a food diary to identify which foods trigger your IBS, and then cutting these foods from your diet
  • Minimising stress
  • Getting sufficient sleep and rest