Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunctional DiseasesStructural DiseasesDiagnosisPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Functional Diseases
Structural Diseases
Diagnosis
Prevention
A gastrointestinal disease, also known as a digestive disorder, is one that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This is the organ system that runs from the mouth to the anus and includes thepharynx(throat),esophagus(feeding tube), stomach,small intestine,large intestine(colon), and rectum.
GI diseases are broadly classified as being eitherfunctional,meaning that the digestive tract isn’t functioning as it is supposed to, orstructural, meaning that a physical abnormality in a digestive organ keeps it from functioning normally.
Examples of functional GI diseases include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) andacid reflux, while examples of structural GI diseases include hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and colon cancer.
As many as 11% of Americans have agastrointestinal disease. Some can disrupt the normal absorption of nutrients in food and cause significant distress and disability. Others may require aggressive treatments or surgery to avoid serious illness or death.
Phynart Studio / Getty Images
Functional GI Diseases
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)is a chronic condition affecting the large intestine. IBS causes abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and/or constipation. The cause of this functional disorder is unknown A diagnosis is made based onsymptomsalone.
Although IBS can impact a person’s quality of life, it neither increases the risk of other GI diseases nor causes any permanent damage to the GI tract.
Roughly 10% to 15% of people in the United States experience IBS symptoms, with only around half obtaining an officialdiagnosisandtreatment.
Functional Dyspepsia
Symptoms of functional dyspepsia include:
Between 10% to 20% of people who seek treatment for chronic indigestion are diagnosed with functional dyspepsia. As with IBS, functional dyspepsia is diagnosed based on the symptoms and the absence of any other medical explanation.
Dyssynergic Defecation
Dyssynergicdefecation (DD)is a chronic condition that makes it difficult to pass stools due to the dysfunction of muscles and nerves in thepelvic floor. DD commonly presents withchronic constipationand other symptoms, like:
DD usually starts in early childhood and persists into adulthood. It is a relatively common disorder thought to account for 15% to 25% of all chronic constipation cases.
Levator Ani Syndrome
In addition to symptoms of pain, burning, and pressure, LAS can also cause:
LAS is thought to affect 7.4% of females and 5.7% of males, typically between the ages of 30 and 60.
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS)is a chronic condition of unknown origin that causes recurrent episodes of vomiting. CVS can affect people of any age but predominately affects children.
CVS is considered cyclic because it occurs in four repetitive stages:
CVS is a rare condition that typically starts in childhood. Studies suggest that as few as four of every 100,000 school-aged children are affected. Many children with CVS outgrow the condition, while others don’t.
Other Functional GI Disorders
Any GI disorder that occurs for no structural reason and in the absence of a diagnosable disease can be regarded as functional. These include common and uncommon conditions such as:
In some cases, a condition classified as functional may later be found to have an organic cause. It is only when all possible causes have been excluded that a GI disease can be confidently diagnosed as being functional.
Structural GI Diseases
Structural GI diseases occur because there is a change or problem within the structure of the GI tract. These structural issues can occur anywhere in the GI tract and either be acute (sudden and short-lasting) or chronic.
GERD
Acid reflux is the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus and throat. When the condition becomes chronic, it is referred to asgastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD).
GERD occurs when the muscular valve separating the stomach from the esophagus, called thelower esophageal sphincter (LES), either becomes weak or relaxes when it is not supposed to. This allows stomach acid to backflow (reflux) into the esophagus.
Symptoms of acid reflux include:
Left untreated, GERD can lead to esophageal bleeding,esophageal stricture(narrowing of the esophagus), and esophageal damage (referred to asBarrett’s esophagus).
An estimated 20% of adults and up to 40% of children experience symptoms of GERD at some point in their lives.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoidsare swollen or inflamed blood vessels in or around the anus. They develop when there is increased pressure on these veins. They can occur both internally and externally.
Common symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
Roughly 50% of people over the age of 50 have hemorrhoids. People at increased risk are those who eat a low-fiber diet, have chronic diarrhea or constipation, are pregnant, have obesity, or regularly lift heavy objects (like furniture movers).
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosisis a condition that develops when bulging pouches, known as diverticula, form in the lining of the digestive tract. In some cases, diverticulosis can progress todiverticulitisin which the pouches become inflamed due to an infection.
While most people with diverticulosis have no symptoms, those who develop diverticulitis commonly experience:
It is estimated that 50% of people over the age of 60 and 70% over the age of 80 have diverticulosis.Of these, roughly one in six will go on to develop diverticulitis.
Risk factors for diverticulosis and diverticulitis include obesity, diabetes, heavy alcohol use, smoking, and a high consumption of red meat.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue, diarrhea, fever,mucusorblood in stool, and the urgent need to go to the bathroom frequently.
Left untreated, IBD can lead to complications likebowel obstruction,bowel perforation,anemia(due to blood loss), and an increased risk of colon cancer.
IBD is thought to affect 1.2 million adults and 58,000 children in the United States. UC tends to start in a person’s 20s and 30s, while CD often starts during the teen years. Genetics are thought to play a central role in both diseases.
Colitis
Colitisis inflammation of the colon. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the most well-known types of colitis, but there are several others, including:
Common symptoms of colitis include abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, bloody stool, nausea, vomiting, and an urgent need to empty the bowels.
Perianal Abscesses and Fistulas
Aperianalabscessis a pocket of pus that develops in the skin surrounding the anus. It is typically caused when a break in the skin allows bacteria to enter underlying tissues and establish an infection.
Symptoms of a perianal abscess include:
Left untreated, an abscess can lead to the development of ananal fistula(an abnormal passage between tissues). Fistulas typically require surgical repair.
About 90% of perianal abscesses occur due to blockage or infection of anal glands. IBD is a common cause. People with diabetes or immune suppression, likeHIV, also may be at higher risk.
Anal Fissures
Anal fissuresare small tears in the thin and moist tissue that lines the anus, known asmucous membranes. They occur when the mucosa becomes stretched beyond its capacity and tears, often due to hard stool.
Symptoms of anal fissures:
Anal fissures are most common in people with chronic constipation. It can also develop in someone who has chronic diarrhea, has undergone rectal surgery, or engages in anal sex. Up to 20% of people with hemorrhoids also have anal fissures.
In some cases, anal fissures can last up to eight to 12 weeks before healing.
Colon Cancer
Colon polypsare abnormal clumps of cells that form a mass inside the colon. While most colon polyps are harmless, some can turn intocolon cancerwithin 10 to 20 years. The exact cause of these growths isn’t known but factors like a poor diet, obesity, and smoking play a part.
Most colon polyps don’t cause symptoms. It is only when they grow to a significant size—most often when abenigngrowth turns cancerous—that symptoms can develop, including:
Different types of polyps are more likely toturn cancerous, includingadenomatous polypsthat are often flat and hard to identify and remove. Roughly 14% of adenomatous polyps will develop into cancer after 10 years.
Colon cancer—more appropriately referred to ascolorectal cancer—is the fourth most common cancer in the United States. The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about one in 23 for males and one in 25 for females.
How GI Diseases Are Diagnosed
When it comes to diagnosing these conditions, your healthcare provider will gather your health history, lifestyle habits, and symptoms to determine what tests are needed to further investigate the issue.
Several tests may be used to diagnose a GI condition, including:
The treatment can differ based on the diagnosis. In some cases, changing your diet and lifestyle habits may provide ample relief. If diet and lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications or order surgery or other specialist procedures to treat or manage the underlying cause.
Preventing Gastrointestinal Disease
High levels ofstressmay also be associated with the onset of certain GI diseases, so limiting stress whenever possible and practicing stress-reduction techniques may be helpful in preventing digestive diseases.
Physical activity, specificallylight physical activity, has also been shown to improve GI disease symptoms in some people.
Summary
There are many different GI diseases classified as being either functional or structural.
Functional GI disorders like IBS, GERD, and functional dyspepsia occur in the absence of a structural problem or diagnosable disease. Structural GI disorders like hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and colon cancer have a known cause that disrupts the normal function of the digestive tract.
The diagnosis of a functional or structural GI disease typically involves a gastroenterologist who can order different tests and procedures to investigate the most likely causes.
A Word From VerywellThe challenges of living with a gastrointestinal disorder are constant and sometimes overwhelming. Seeking the care of a gastroenterologist or gastrointestinal specialist is essential for confirming a diagnosis and developing and following the right treatment plan.—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
The challenges of living with a gastrointestinal disorder are constant and sometimes overwhelming. Seeking the care of a gastroenterologist or gastrointestinal specialist is essential for confirming a diagnosis and developing and following the right treatment plan.—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
The challenges of living with a gastrointestinal disorder are constant and sometimes overwhelming. Seeking the care of a gastroenterologist or gastrointestinal specialist is essential for confirming a diagnosis and developing and following the right treatment plan.
—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
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