Below are several common GI conditions with information about each.
Click the condition to learn more!
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Definition: GERD is a digestive condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating its lining.
- Symptoms can include heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, or a chronic cough
- If left untreated, GERD can lead to complications such as esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and an increased risk of esophageal cancer
- Treatments include antacids: -PPI’s can help if it’s a recurring issue and can take longer to help such as Prilosec (omeprazole), often works better on an empty stomach before a meal. -H2 Blockers such as Pepcid (famotidine) can help reduce acid. -For quick relief, antacids such as TUMs or Gaviscon are good for breakthrough burning to neutralize the stomach acid.
- Lifestyle changes to help include: -Foods to avoid: tomato-based products, garlic onions, spicy foods, carbonated beverages, chocolate, mint, caffeine and alcohol. –Avoid laying down too soon after eating. -If indicated, weight loss by diet and exercise. – Head of bed elevation at bedtime. -Avoid NSAIDS(such as Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Motrin, etc)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Definition: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the most common functional GI disorder that is characterized by experiencing some of the symptoms below for at least one day per week in the last three months, with symptom onset at least six months prior to diagnosis. The symptoms must not be explained by other conditions or diseases and should not show evidence of damage to the bowel.
Symptoms may include abdominal pain or discomfort, change in bowel habits tending toward constipation or diarrhea (or alternating between the two), change in frequency of bowel movements or form of stool, abdominal bloating, or sensation of incomplete evacuation.
Treatment: IBS is typically managed through dietary changes, medications, and stress management. Treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life.
Constipation
Definition: Constipation is difficulty having bowel movements, typically less than three per week. The stool can become firm and dry and be more difficult to eliminate.
Symptoms may include difficult or infrequent bowel movements, straining, hard stools, or sensation of incomplete evacuation.
Treatment: Constipation can often be improved with a high fiber diet, drinking plenty of water, exercise, stool softeners, laxatives, or other motility agents.
Diarrhea
Definition: Diarrhea is when there is looser stool, often with increased frequency that can be acute (lasting 1-2 days) or chronic (lasting more than 4 weeks that can come and go). Diarrhea can be caused by infection, food intolerances, side effects of medications, or other digestive tract issues.
Symptoms may include abdominal discomfort/cramping, urgency to move bowels, and watery stools.
Treatment: Diarrhea treatment varies by the cause. Most acute infections will resolve on own and one should evaluate their diet and medications. Always see a doctor if diarrhea persists. Diarrhea may require antibiotics. Trying a BRAT(banana, rice, applesauce and toast) diet and imodium or pepto bismol can help reduce symptoms.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
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Definition: IBD is a chronic autoimmune condition that include Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Both conditions involve chronic inflammation of the GI tract.
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Symptoms may include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort/cramping, urgency to move her bowels, bloating, sensation of incomplete evacuation, constipation, weight loss, or fatigue
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Treatment: While there is no known cure at this time, treatments include drug therapy, lifestyle and diet modifications and possibly surgery in severe cases. The goal is control the level of inflammation to prevent long term damage
Celiac Disease
Definition: Celiac disease is a condition in which the immune system damages the small intestine when exposed to a protein – gluten – found in certain foods. When the small intestine is damaged, this can lead to malabsorption of food and nutrients. If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to other health problems such as digestive cancers, anemia and osteoporosis
Symptoms may include abdominal discomfort, change in bowel habits, bloating, weight loss or fatigue
Treatment: Avoiding gluten can help prevent further damage to the small intestine, therefore the only “treatment” is a strict gluten free diet as well as taking a multivitamin is often recommended
Diverticular Disease
Definition: Diverticular disease refers to a condition that affects the colon involving the formation and complications of pockets called diverticula. Diverticulosis is the condition of having these pouches throughout the wall of the colon. Diverticulitis is when the diverticula becomes inflamed or infected.
Symptoms typically only occur once the diverticula are inflamed or infected, otherwise most people may not even know they have them. Diverticulitis symptoms may include abdominal pain (most commonly in the LLQ), fever, nausea or change in bowel habits.
Treatment: Maintaining a high fiber diet is very important for people with diverticulosis to avoid constipation as constipation can increase risk for getting diverticulitis. Mild diverticulitis requires a temporary liquid to low fiber diet to allow healing with antibiotics. If severe diverticulitis, hospitalization may be required with IV antibiotics and possible surgery in complicated cases.
Fatty Liver
Definition: Fatty liver disease is a condition where extra fat builds up in the liver that affect its function over time. There are two types – one can occur from excessive alcohol use and one is from non-alcoholic metabolic causes. When fat builds up in liver, it can cause inflammation, damage and possibly lead to liver cirrhosis.
Symptoms are typically not present in the early stages and detection can arise from abnormal imaging of the liver or bloodwork.
Treatment: Weight loss, a healthy diet (avoiding high sugar, fatty, greasy foods), avoid alcohol, exercise regularly, manage metabolic conditions, and reevaluate medications that may be contributing.
Liver Cirrhosis
Definition: Liver cirrhosis is a late stage liver disease that is chronic where healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue that eventually can impair its function and lead to liver failure. Cirrhosis can result from alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis B or C, heart failure, autoimmune liver disease or secondary to certain long-term medications.
Symptoms typically appear in the later stages that may include fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen (ascites), easy bruising or bleeding, itchy skin, confusion, abnormal blood vessels in the skin, dark urine or weight loss.
Treatment: While there is no known cure at this time, treatment plans aim at preventing further damage (stop alcohol, medication management, lifestyle changes), routine monitoring for liver cancer or worsening damage, and may eventually require a liver transplant.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Definition: Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic condition in which the immune system causes inflammation to the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the esophagus) in which a type of allergy cell (eosinophils) lines the esophagus affecting its function. It is thought the eosinophils are triggered by food allergies or environmental allergies often seen in people with asthma, eczema, or seasonal allergies.
Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing or feeling like food gets stuck, chest or upper abdominal pain, or heartburn.
Treatment: Dietary changes to avoid trigger foods, PPI antacids, topical steroids swallowed, other medications, or even possibly a procedure to dilate the esophagus as needed.
Gastroparesis
Definition: Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach does not properly digest food and moves food through the stomach slower than normal without a blockage. This can be caused when the nerve signals to the stomach are disrupted most commonly by uncontrolled blood sugar levels (diabetes), history of stomach surgery with damage to the vagus nerve, autoimmune conditions, infections, or sometimes due to unknown cause.
Symptoms may include feeling full quickly after eating, bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, poor appetite or heartburn.
Treatment: Dietary modification is the main treatment with smaller more frequent meals and low-fat and low-fiber foods. Additionally, correcting sugar levels, medications to speed up digestion and anti-nausea medications can be taken.
Hemorrhoids
Definition: Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum that can be internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids are inside the rectum and may prolapse out of the anus. External hemorrhoids are found under the skin around the anus. Hemorrhoids can be exacerbated by straining, constipation, sitting for prolonged periods of time or heavy lifting.
Symptoms vary on the type of hemorrhoid. Internal hemorrhoids typically are painless but can cause bleeding. External hemorrhoids can be painful or itchy with minimal bleeding.
Treatment: Hemorrhoidal creams, ointments or suppositories, sitz baths, avoiding constipation, high fiber diet, rubber band ligation (for internal hemorrhoids), or possible hemorrhoidectomy (surgical removal by colorectal surgeon)
Anal Fissure
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Definition: An anal fissure is a small tear or cut of the skin at the anal canal that can cause severe pain, especially when the stool passes.
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Symptoms may include rectal pain or bleeding
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Treatment: Anal fissures can heal on their own with treatments that may include topical pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, medicated ointments, sitz baths, increase fiber and fluids, stool softeners and possibly botox injections or even surgery if severe chronic conditions.