Digestive System Disorders
Irritable Bowel System (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. IBS is a
chronic condition that you'll need to manage long term. Only a small number of people with
IBS have severe signs and symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing
diet, lifestyle and stress. More-severe symptoms can be treated with medication and
counselling.
Causes
Muscle contractions in the
intestine
Abnormalities in the nerves
of the digestive system
Infection
Changes in bacteria in the
gut
Symptoms
Pain and cramping
Diarrhoea or constipation
Treatment
Avoid foods that trigger
symptoms
Eat high fibre foods
Gas and bloating
Fatigue and difficulty
sleeping
Drink plenty of fluids
Medication such as anti –
diarrhoeal medications
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your
digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss and
malnutrition. Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the
digestive tract in different people. The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. Some
symptoms include:
Frequent, recurring diarrhoea
Rectal bleeding
Unexplained weight loss
Abdominal pain and cramping
Fatigue and a feeling of low energy
Reduced appetite
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There is currently no cure for Crohn's disease, and there is no one treatment that works for
everyone. The goal of medical treatment is to reduce the inflammation that triggers your
signs and symptoms. It is also to improve long-term prognosis by limiting complications.
Coeliac Disease
Coeliac disease, sometimes called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an immune
reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. If you have celiac disease,
eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction
damages your small intestine's lining and prevents it from absorbing some nutrients
(malabsorption). Coeliac disease is genetic. Symptoms include:
-
Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Bloating & gas
- Abdominal Pain