COMMON GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND THEIR TREATMENTS

There are many gastrointestinal disorders that you might face throughout your life that have fairly common symptoms. This could include nausea, bloating, and stomach or abdominal pain. You should be sure to talk to your doctor about your symptoms so that they can determine what you might be dealing with and find the best treatment plan for you.

Common disorders include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)- IBS is when the colon muscle contracts either more or less often than it should. You might experience abdominal pain, bloating, or excess gas. You can treat this issue by increasing your diet and monitoring which foods trigger your symptoms and then avoiding those foods. Your doctor might provide medication to help manage your symptoms and you should be hydrating well throughout the day.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)- If you’re dealing with GERD, you’ll experience heartburn and acid reflux on a normal basis. This can feel like a burning sensation in your chest and throat and you may even feel nauseous or vomit. You should avoid eating fatty foods and be sure to wait to lie down after eating. Propping your head up can also help reduce inflammation and you may want to take anti-inflammatory medications.
• Crohn’s Disease- This is a chronic inflammatory digestive disease that can affect the GI tract and can cause it to become inflamed. You might experience unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and diarrhea. You should change your diet as recommended by your doctor and you may need to take medications to help with symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.