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Digestive health and digestive disorders -

English English Español. Digestive Diseases The digestive system made up of the gastrointestinal tract GI , liver, pancreas, and gallbladder helps the body digest food. Diagnostic Tests Celiac Disease Testing for Health Care Professionals Colonoscopy ERCP Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Lower GI Series Upper GI Endoscopy Upper GI Series Virtual Colonoscopy.

Statistics Statistics for Digestive Diseases in the United States. Healthy Moments Radio Listen to health tips from Dr. Rodgers in his weekly 1-minute episodes. Clinical Trials Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. A healthy microbiota can improve immune system functioning, help maintain regular bowel function, and reduce damaging inflammation.

Popular foods that contain probiotics are yogurt and kefir, a yogurt-like drink. Other probiotic sources are fermented foods like sauerkraut, miso a paste made from soybeans , and some pickles. Probiotics are supported by prebiotics, which help good bacteria grow and thrive in the digestive tract.

Prebiotic are found in beans, whole grains, garlic, bananas, onions, and asparagus. Adequate fiber is also important for good digestion. Fiber helps to soften and provide bulk to stool, which allows it to pass more easily through the intestines. There are two types of fiber: insoluble and soluble.

Insoluble fiber is found in whole grains, wheat cereals, and vegetables such as carrots, celery, and tomatoes. Soluble fiber sources include barley, oatmeal, beans, nuts, and fruits such as apples, berries, citrus fruits, and pears.

Over-the-counter fiber supplements capsules, chewable tablets, and powders mixed with water may be an option for people who have trouble eating enough fiber-rich food. What people eat and how they eat can disrupt digestive health. In some people, their immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive system, causing various digestive problems.

Here is a brief look at some common diseases and conditions that can affect digestive health:. Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD.

GERD can cause a burning and squeezing sensation in the chest, commonly known as heartburn. Other symptoms can include nausea, sour or bitter taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, or repeatedly needing to clear your throat.

In GERD, acid and digestive enzymes from the stomach flow backward into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. If GERD is not treated, it can cause permanent damage to the esophagus.

Celiac disease. Symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal bloating and pain, and weight loss. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis. In diverticulosis, small pouches develop and bulge out through weak spots in the walls of the colon.

These small, balloon-like pouches are called diverticula. If the diverticula become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can lead to severe complications, such as abscess, perforation tears in the colon wall , intestinal blockage from internal scarring, or fistula, an abnormal connection between two organs.

The most common symptoms of diverticulitis are abdominal pain and tenderness, pressure in the lower abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea. Inflammatory bowel disease IBD. IBD occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the intestines and triggers inflammation of the tissues.

These areas can thicken or wear away in spots, which creates ulcers, cracks, and fissures. Inflammation can allow an abscess a pocket of pus to develop.

With UC, inflammation in the lining of the large intestine the colon causes ulcers. This can cause bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. Other symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and where it occurs in the large intestine.

They include:. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS. IBS is characterized by recurrent bouts of constipation or diarrhea or both , abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. The severity and duration of symptoms vary.

Some are mild and come and go, while others are severe and last several weeks. Some people can go months or years between episodes. Most people are never cured of IBS, but dietary changes, medication, and stress management can help manage the condition.

Gallstones are hardened bits of bile that form inside the gallbladder, a pear-shaped pouch that sits just below the liver. Bile makes it easier for the body to digest fat. Small stones can pass out of the body through the intestines.

However, gallstones can cause symptoms if they get caught in the narrow outlet of the gallbladder or in the ducts that drain the gallbladder. Symptoms include abdominal pain, usually high in the abdomen and often in the center or on the right side where the gallbladder is located , and can spread to the area of the right shoulder blade.

When symptoms recur or the gallbladder becomes inflamed, the gallbladder needs to be surgically removed. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

Dosorders Digestive health and digestive disorders shows little risk of infection Oats and hair health prostate biopsies. Discrimination healthh work is linked to high blood pressure. Icy fingers and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud's phenomenon? The gut-brain connection is no joke; it can link anxiety to stomach problems and vice versa. Have you ever had a "gut-wrenching" experience? People may experience Antioxidant supplements issues Healyh reasons ranging from eating habits diorders digestive or gastrointestinal disorders. Common Youth athletes of stomach issues include vomiting, disordefs, and changes to Oats and hair health. The gastrointestinal GI tract consists of the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Together with the livergallbladderand pancreasthese organs work together to absorb nutrients and expel waste. Disturbances to this process can cause a range of symptoms, from cramps to vomiting. Many of these issues may pass with time and pose little risk of complication. However, seemingly common stomach issues can be the result of several digestive disorders.