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

Colorectal cancer is a digestive disorder that is found in the cells of the colon and rectum (large intestine). As it is possible for cancerous tumors that are found in the colon and rectum to spread to other parts of the body, it is vitally important to catch colorectal cancer early. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA, however thanks to advanced screening procedures and polyp removal the number of new cases of colorectal cancer is decreasing.

Symptoms to look for include:

Bowel habit changes from what you normally experience

Bleeding from the rectum or seeing blood in your stools.

Cramping or a gnawing stomach pain

Vomiting

Weakness or fatigue

Jaundice (yellowish coloring to your skin or sclera of the eye)

The symptoms of this type of cancer can mimic other less serious conditions and diseases such as infections, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease. Catching colorectal cancer early means there is a very good chance for a cure. An individual may not experience any symptoms and still have colorectal cancer.

Risk Factors

Colorectal cancer can affect people of any age, but the majority of people who have colorectal cancer are over the age of 50.

Those who eat diets which are high in fat and calories and low in fiber are more likely to contract this cancer.

Individuals who have polyps (benign growths) such as those in people over 50 are common leading symptoms for colorectal cancer.

Those people who have a family history of colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine or breast cancers all have a slightly increased risk compared with the population at large. Other people with an increased risk of this disease are those with ulcerative colitis.

Individuals who are at an increased risk for colorectal cancer should receive genetic testing, or early tests from the doctor’s office so that they can catch it early if possible.

Many colon cancers can be avoided by proper diet and exercise including:

Diet and exercise by eating more fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and by avoiding high-fat, low-fiber foods, plus by getting enough exercise.

Drug therapy using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ASA, estrogen replacement therapy for women who are post-menopausal can also reduce the risk for colorectal cancer.

Screenings can also help to prevent colorectal cancer at appropriate ages. Catching this cancer early is the single most important thing individuals can do if they are in the high-risk group.

Even people who do not have risk factors or symptoms of colorectal disease should still receive screenings such as digital rectal examination, signoidoscopy, colonoscopy and also the barium enema with air contrast.

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer the treatment you receive will depend on your age, your overall health at the time, the extent of the disease, your tolerance for medications, what the doctor suspects will be the expectation for the course of the disease, and of course your own input and preferences. Treatment also depends on the stage of the cancer tumor, if it has spread and how far it has spread by the time it is caught.

Amongst the treatments your doctor may suggest are colon surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy.

Related posts:

1. Stomach Cancer Symptoms and Treatment
2. Colon Cancer And Other Digestive Cancers
3. Types of Hepatitis