The most common signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal disorder
Everyone experiences a bit of indigestion from time to time. Whether you have a short bout of food poisoning or you ate something too spicy, the symptoms might flare suddenly and then dissipate in a short time.
There are 10 Common Digestive Disorders
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) and Gastritis
- Stomach Flu
- Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Constipation
- Hemorrhoids
How are gastrointestinal disorders diagnosed?
Standard imaging tests for gastric conditions include upper gastrointestinal series (UGI), ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans and X-rays. For an even clearer picture of the gastrointestinal tract, a barium swallow or barium enema may be used in conjunction with an X-ray.
If you find that your stomach symptoms linger for weeks or even months, then it could be signs of gastrointestinal diseases. These digestive disorders can range from mild to severe. It is best to consult with a doctor if you are experiencing chronic digestive problems.
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) complaints include
- Chest pain
- Chronic and recurrent abdominal pain
- Dyspepsia
- Dysphagia
- Lump in the throat
- Halitosis
- Hiccups
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rumination
Some upper GI complaints represent functional illness (ie, no physiologic cause found after extensive evaluation).
Lower GI complaints include
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gas and bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Rectal pain or bleeding
The gastrointestinal tract is a large organ system that performs numerous tasks including the breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients and fluids, protection from invasive bacteria or noxious substances, and removal of waste. A gastrointestinal disorder is any condition that affects the digestive system. It is estimated that these conditions affect 60-70 million people in the US alone, leading to a quarter of a million deaths annually.
Whereas symptoms vary depending on the condition and underlying causes, most gastrointestinal diseases share common symptoms such as pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, weight loss, and excess gas.
