Common Digestive Disorders and How to Manage Them

Digestive disorders can significantly impact your quality of life, but with proper management, many of these conditions can be effectively controlled. It’s important that you can understand what these common conditions might be and how they could affect you. Conditions must be identified at an early stage to prevent any further complications and to start management as soon as possible.

Common Digestive Disorders

When you’re dealing with a digestive disorder, it can impact your everyday life. It’s important to identify issues and start treatment as soon as possible. This can help you live without complications and ease any pain you may experience otherwise.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine, causing symptoms like cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation. You must identify and avoid trigger foods. Common triggers include dairy, gluten, and certain high-fiber foods. Regular exercise can help regulate your bowel movements and reduce stress. Use over-the-counter or prescription medications as advised by your doctor to help manage symptoms.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus), leading to symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation. Avoid lying down after meals, eat smaller meals, and maintain a healthy weight. Avoid trigger foods such as spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol. Use antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors as recommended by your gastroenterologist.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. Similarly, Ulcerative colitis is another type of IBD that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract, primarily affecting the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum. Anti-inflammatory drugs can help control inflammation and it’s important to identify and avoid foods that can worsen your symptoms.

Contact Our Gastroenterologist Today

Make sure your digestive system is under control! Contact your gastroenterologist to learn more about digestive disorders and how they can be managed.