The gastrointestinal tract is an extensive part of the human body. While the stomach takes up a comparatively small part of the digestive tract, the human intestine is several meters long and is located in several loops in the human lower abdomen. Accordingly can Gastrointestinal diseases be diverse and take on threatening proportions.
What are gastrointestinal diseases?
To the Gastrointestinal diseases include all diseases of the digestive tract with the exception of the upper digestive organs, which also include the mouth, throat and esophagus.
The gastrointestinal tract includes the stomach and intestines, which can be divided into the small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus, but also organs such as the duodenum, the liver, the gallbladder and the hormone-producing pancreas.
Gastrointestinal diseases therefore include far more diseases than just stomach pain, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting, especially since these are symptoms and not causes.
causes
The causes for Gastrointestinal diseases are as diverse as the gastrointestinal tract itself. Both in the stomach and in the intestine, so-called ulcers can develop. In most cases, psychological stress favors the development of these ulcers, and there has been proven to be a close connection in particular with gastric mucosal inflammation and gastric ulcers.
Such ulcers can initially appear acutely, but also chronically. A chronic inflammatory bowel disease is, for example, so-called Crohn's disease (terminal ileitis, ulcerative colitis), which runs in phases and in the worst case can be fatal at a young age.
There can also be "protuberances" in the intestines, in which stool collects, it hardens and can cause serious health problems. These bulges are called diverticula. Such diseases can be the result of weak connective tissue and frequent constipation (constipation).
Liver disease is known to be caused by excessive alcohol consumption or drug and drug abuse (abuse). Viral infections (hepatitis diseases) can also cause lasting damage to the liver. These are the most common causes of the various diseases of the digestive tract.
Typical & common diseases
- Gastric ulcer
- Inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis)
- Abdominal influenza
- Duodenal ulcer
- Irritable stomach
- Stomach cancer
- Crohn's disease (chronic bowel inflammation)
- Ulcerative colitis
- Appendicitis
Symptoms, ailments & signs
Typical symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Which complaints are in the foreground depends on the type of illness. Acute inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) manifests itself as sudden pain in the upper abdomen, which is accompanied by nausea, loss of appetite and occasionally vomiting.
The symptoms typically improve briefly after eating. If these complaints develop over a long period of time, the cause may be chronic inflammation of the gastric mucous membrane - this is often accompanied by an aversion to certain foods, bloating, diarrhea and gas.
A stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer or stomach cancer can also hide behind stomach pain, nausea and loss of appetite. This is particularly important in the case of constant weight loss or black stools (tarry stools). The symptoms triggered by an irritable stomach vary widely and range from stomach pain to heartburn and loss of appetite to vegetative disorders such as cardiovascular problems and increased sweating.
An irritable stomach is often associated with irritable bowel syndrome characterized by irregular stool. Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis usually manifest themselves as cramp-like abdominal pain, weight loss and slimy-mushy diarrhea. There is a general feeling of illness; a slight fever, nausea and loss of appetite are also possible. Appendicitis is characterized by abdominal pain, which is increasingly shifting to the right lower abdomen, as well as fever, nausea and vomiting.
Diagnosis & course
The diagnosis of Gastrointestinal diseases can usually be made from the patient's description, this diagnosis is usually confirmed by gastroscopy or colonoscopy, during which a suitable probe is introduced orally or rectally, possibly under local anesthesia.
This examination provides direct, detailed images that allow accurate findings. Laboratory tests of the blood or stool can also provide important information about diseases. Gastrointestinal diseases generally cause pain, with the exception of diseases of the liver. Here there is only a capsule pain, the liver itself does not hurt.
It is therefore particularly important to find out what kind of pain it is when you have stomach diseases. So-called early pain, i.e. shortly after eating the meal, can indicate inflammation of the stomach entrance. Late pain, i.e. pain that occurs a long time after eating the meal, can indicate that the gastric outlet is inflamed.
The course of gastrointestinal diseases is just as diverse as the causes. Most of the time, however, the diet is restricted, which can lead to rapid weight loss. Or there is a severe diarrheal illness that can result in dehydration, which can also be life-threatening.
Complications
In most cases, the gastrointestinal diseases do not lead to any particular complications, nor do they lead to a serious course. They can be treated relatively well so that there is no further consequential damage. Those affected primarily suffer from diarrhea or constipation. It is also not uncommon for pain in the stomach or abdomen to occur, which significantly reduces the quality of life.
Especially at night, this pain can lead to sleep problems and thus also to depression. Furthermore, many sufferers suffer from a loss of appetite and also from weight loss. Persistent diarrhea can also lead to severe dehydration. Complications usually arise when the gastrointestinal disorders are not treated properly.
This can lead to the formation of polyps or other diseases. Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, in most cases, does not lead to particular complications. They can be treated with medication and the disease usually progresses positively. The life expectancy of the patient is usually not reduced or restricted by the gastrointestinal diseases.
When should you go to the doctor?
A doctor's visit is advisable if there are repeated problems using the toilet. If you have diarrhea or constipation, you have an illness that should be treated. In many cases, there is a significant deterioration in health within a few hours. If you are tired, have pain in the abdomen or feel unwell, a doctor is needed. If there is a noise in the stomach or intestines, medical advice should be sought.
Consult a doctor in the event of gas, loss of appetite, weight loss or a feeling of pressure in the abdomen. If the symptoms increase or if the symptoms continue to spread, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. If there is a decrease in performance, fever, sweating or bleeding from the intestine, the person concerned needs help. He should undergo medical tests to determine the cause.
If the daily obligations can no longer be fulfilled or if the person concerned no longer has control over the sphincter muscle, a visit to a doctor is advisable. A doctor should be consulted if there is a feeling of internal dryness, cramps in the abdomen, or increased irritability. Discomfort while moving or sitting should also be examined by a doctor.
Treatment & Therapy
The treatment options are of course based on the underlying disease. As a rule, drug therapy, possibly also psychotherapy or autogenic training, is recommended as the gastrointestinal tract is very sensitive to stress.
In the case of diseases of the intestine, an operation may be necessary to remove the affected parts of the intestine or to treat them with other surgical procedures. The diet of the disease often has to be adapted temporarily or permanently.
Outlook & forecast
The prognosis of gastrointestinal disease is tied to the cause of the disorder. In the case of a bacterial infection or a viral disease, symptoms are usually alleviated and the patient recovered within a few days or weeks. In some cases the organism can help itself to a stable and healthy immune system and without the presence of the disease itself to a sufficient extent. Medical care is not always necessary to improve health.
An inflammatory disease is the further course and the prognosis depends on whether the disease becomes chronic. With a chronic gastrointestinal disease there is usually no recovery for several years despite all efforts. Often emotional and psychological factors play a decisive role in the overall process. Therefore, in addition to drug therapy, what is often decisive in these cases is the mental state of the patient. Alleviations must be documented if additional psychotherapeutic care is initiated.
In acute cases, a life-threatening condition can develop. In the event of cancer or an intestinal rupture, immediate action must be taken to ensure the survival of the person affected. The sooner medical treatment is initiated, the better the chances of recovery. In these patients, the early detection of the disease is particularly crucial for the further prognosis.
prevention
Preventive measures can usually be taken Gastrointestinal diseases to be hit. In general, attention can be paid to a healthy, balanced diet and avoidance of underweight or overweight in order not to overwhelm the gastrointestinal tract.
For example, diarrhea and constipation can be avoided. Stress reduction definitely has a positive influence on gastrointestinal diseases, autogenic training and relaxation measures therefore not only have a healing effect.
Regular colon cancer screening should be adhered to, as colon cancer only causes pain very late. Otherwise, of course, the usual hygiene guidelines will help prevent infections of the gastrointestinal tract. In case of doubt, your trusted doctor will always have individual advice and information.
Aftercare
Follow-up care for gastrointestinal diseases is primarily based on the cause. The patient should decide this individually with his treating doctor. Depending on the severity of the disease and its severity. In order to identify any malignant cells in the stomach as early as possible, an endoscopic check with a gastroscopy should be carried out if the symptoms persist.
Each patient should also discuss with their family doctor whether certain dietary changes should be taken into account. In addition, symptoms such as frequent heartburn, stabbing stomach pains or vomiting blood must be linked to the previous history and clarified in the future.
You can do that yourself
Gastrointestinal disorders are associated with a multitude of symptoms, for which an equally large number of underlying diseases are the cause. Whether and what the patient can do himself depends on the type of complaint.
Often there are diffuse gastrointestinal complaints, which make themselves felt in the form of acid belching, flatulence, stomach pain or diarrhea. In mild cases, such disorders can initially be treated yourself. For indefinite stomach pains and irritation of the stomach lining, naturopathy recommends a so-called chamomile tea roll cure. To this end, 250 milliliters of chamomile tea are prepared and drunk. The patient then lies on his back for five minutes and then rolls over on his left side, five minutes apart, then on his stomach and finally on the right side.
If the stomach is regularly acidic, it usually helps to avoid fatty food and too much alcohol. In the case of acute acidification, healing earth, Bullrich's salt or baking soda can be taken. A mild but very effective cure for diarrhea is dried blueberries, which you can buy in herbal stores and specialist pharmacies. Three tablespoons of the fruit are taken at the beginning of the treatment and then one tablespoon every four hours and chewed well.
Anyone who regularly suffers from nervous stomach pain should learn relaxation techniques. Mild sedatives from the pharmacy or health food store can also be taken temporarily.
Sufferers from gastrointestinal disorders should consult a doctor to clarify the causes.
