Celiac Disease And Other Intestinal Disorders includes any medical condition or health complaint that afflicts or originates in the small or large intestines, the sections of the digestive system that are primarily concerned with the absorption of nutrients and water. These organs are essential to digestion, and any loss of function of these organs can have very serious health consequences.

Celiac Disease And Other Intestinal Disorders include the following conditions:

Bile Reflux
Bile Reflux occurs when bile flows upward from the small intestine into the stomach and the esophagus. Bile is digestive fluid that is produced by the Liver. Bile Reflux often accompanies Acid Reflux, where stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, and either alone or together they cause burning sensations and pain in the upper chest and throat. Either of these conditions can potentially increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

Unlike Acid Reflux, Bile Reflux cannot normally be controlled with diet or lifestyle changes. In the majority of cases, Bile Reflux can be treated with medications, but in severe cases surgery may be required.

Blind Loop Syndrome
Blind Loop Syndrome (also called Stasis Syndrome or Stagnant Loop Syndrome) occurs when part of the small intestine is bypassed and cut-off from the flow of digestive juices and food, causing increased bacterial growth in the cut-off section of the small intestine. These bacteria can then interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients, and this can lead to diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition.

The condition is often a complication of abdominal surgery, but can also result from defects in the colon and also by some diseases. Antibiotics are usually sufficient to treat the condition, but in some cases surgery is required.

Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is a digestive disorder which is triggered by the consumption of gluten, a protein commonly contained in bread, cookies, crackers, pasta, pizza crust, and many other foods containing barley, wheat, oats, or rye.

After someone with Celiac Disease consumes gluten, the protein causes an immune reaction in the small intestine, which causes damage to the surface of the small intestine and reduces its ability to absorb certain nutrients. Eventually, the reduced absorption of nutrients can cause vitamin deficiencies in the brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver, and other organs of the body, and this can leave the body open to a range of illnesses and also cause a range of potentially serious health complications.

There is currently no cure for Celiac Disease. The main treatment option for managing the condition is dietary changes.

Cyclospora Infection
Cyclospora Infection is an uncommon intestinal infection caused by a microscopic, single-celled parasite, which occurs as a result of consuming contaminated water and produce.

The infection can cause a range of symptoms, such as frequent and often very explosive and watery diarrhea, which may alternate with periods of constipation. The main treatment option is antibiotics combined with improved food hygiene practices.

Intestinal Obstruction
Intestinal Obstruction is a blockage that prevents food and fluid from passing through the small intestine or colon. The blockage occurs because of adhesions, which are fibrous bands of tissue in the intestine, or as the result of hernias or tumors.

This condition can cause a range of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.

If left untreated, this can cause the blocked parts of the intestine to die, causing severe infection in the body which can be potentially fatal.

Intestinal Obstruction requires prompt medical care.

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose Intolerance – also known as Lactase Deficiency – is the inability to fully digest the sugar (lactose) contained in milk and dairy products. The condition is not usually life threatening, but it can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and bloating.

Lactose Intolerance is caused by the lack of lactase, an enzyme produced by the lining of your small intestine that breaks down lactose so that it can be absorbed into your bloodstream. As such, Lactose Intolerance is not a food allergy, and it does not involve the immune system.

The best treatment for lactose intolerance is to limit the amount of milk and dairy products in the diet. To avoid developing a calcium deficiency due to decreased milk and dairy consumption, vitamin supplements should also be taken.

Shigella Infection
Shigella Infection (also called Shigellosis) is an intestinal infection which is caused by a family of bacteria known as shigella. The condition can cause a range of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Not all people with shigella in their gut will develop symptoms.

The bacteria are often transmitted by direct contact with the bacteria via stool, such as when a person does not wash their hands properly after changing diapers, or as the result of consuming contaminated food or drinking, or by swimming in contaminated water.

Shigella Infection is most common in developing nations where there is poor sanitation and a lack of clean water. The condition is treated with antibiotics, in conjunction with improved food and hygiene standards, and obtaining access to clean water.

Whipple’s Disease
Whipple’s Disease (also called Intestinal Lipodystrophy) is a rare bacterial infection that reduces the ability of the gastrointestinal system to break down foods, such as fats and carbohydrates, and reduces the ability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients. The bacteria can also infect other organs of the body, such as the brain, heart, eyes, and joints.

As a result of such wide spread infection, Whipple’s Disease can cause a very wide range of symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping, weight loss, inflamed ankle, knee, and wrist joints, fatigue, weakness, memory loss, confusion, fever, cough, loss of balance, seizures, and other symptoms.

A lengthy course of antibiotics is required to treat the condition. Without proper treatment, Whipple’s Disease can be fatal.

Related posts:

1. Lactose Intolerance
2. Digestive System Diseases and Disorders

There are a number of organs in the digestive system including the liver, pancreas,and digestive tract (in other words the esophagus, stomach and intestines) that have a role to play in the digestive process, and the functioning of the digestive system can be affected by many different conditions disorders and diseases.

Common conditions like indigestion can make you feel uncomfortable but you can usually get better with little or no treatment. On the other hand there are diseases that can affect parts of the digestive system which can have a long lasting impact on the functioning of the system. An example of this kind of disease is inflammatory bowel disease, also known simply as IBD. If a person has IBD, a specialist called a gastroenterologist is called upon to help them deal with the disease.

There are three common conditions that individual can have that affect the esophagus: Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia are congenital conditions. These conditions are usually detected soon after birth and both require surgery in order for the digestive systems to work in babies with these conditions.

Esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus and is a noncongenital condition. Those people who suffer from esophagitis usually have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes the esophagitis. GERD can sometimes be healed with lifestyle changes such as by making changes in food selection but usuallythe patient needs medication to bring relief. Sometimes taking a certain medication or an infection can cause esophagitis.

Most people at one time or another experience diarrhea and constipation. One not so common stomach and intestinal disorder is Celiac disease, which is caused by an abnormal response that the immune system has to a protein called gluten found in certain foods that we eat. When people with Celiac disease eat foods that contain gluten, damage can be done to the lining of the intestines. Symptoms that they may experience include abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.

Gastritis a condition in which the lining of the stomach becomes irritated or inflamed and peptic ulcers (sores or holes) form in the lining of the stomach or duodenum causing pain and/or bleeding. Both of these conditions can be relieved with medication.

A chronic inflammation of the intestines that affects older kids, teens, and adults is an inflammation of the intestines. There are two types of IBD – ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both types are treated with medication, and if needed surgery to remove inflamed or damaged parts of the intestine.

Most people have heard of Cystic fibrosis, a chronic, inherited disease in which production of thick mucus blocks the ducts in the pancreas. This blockage prevents digestive juices from entering into the intestines. Without these juices it is difficult to break down and digest fats and proteins. When these ingredients are not digested the body can’t use them and they pass through the body without being used.

Liver damage is a possibility when people contract hepatitis, which is a viral infection of the liver.

Cholecystitis is when the gallbladder becomes inflamed and gallstones can develop. Teens can get cholecystitis particularly if they have sickle cell anemia or if they have been treated with certain long-term medications.

Related posts:

1. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases