Digestive System Disorders
1. Crohn’s Disease (type of irritable bowel disease or IBD)
 Causes inflammation of parts of the digestive tract. Sores called ulcers cause the
inflammation. It can cause pain and diarrhea. It is a chronic disease.
2. Acid Reflux
 A condition where gastric juices containing acid, travel back from the stomach into the
esophagus.
3. Peptic Ulcer
 Breakdown of the stomach, esophagus or small intestine and it starts to bleed into the
digestive system. Certain bacterial infections, smoking and some anti-inflammatory
drugs can cause peptic ulcers.
4. Celiac disease
 An autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs when the individual is allergic
to a gluten protein found in wheat, rye and barley products. The gluten causes an
allergic reaction, thereby destroying the villi and interfering with the normal absorption
of nutrients in the small intestine.
5. Anorexia
 The person thinks they are overweight and severely limits their food intake and may
become dangerously thin. People who have anorexia have an intense fear of gaining
weight.
6. Hepatitis
 Is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection with a virus, that enters living cells
and multiplies. Infection often results from ingesting contaminated drinking water or
food.
7. Gallstones
 Crystals of bile form which can block the duct leading from the gall bladder to the
intestine or may even pass through it. These can be very painful and the gall bladder
may have to be removed if they continue.
8. Colon Cancer
 Cancerous cells (tumours) are present in the wall of the large intestine (colon). There
are several risk-factors associated with colon cancer: diet high in fats, smoking, genetic
predisposition (heredity) or having a relative that is suffering from the disease or who
have polyps may increase your chances. The passage of bright red blood in the stool, or
a change in frequency, consistency or thickness of stool are the most typical symptoms.
Other symptoms may include tiredness. Colonoscopy can be used to diagnose (look for
polyps).
Case #1: Diana
Twenty-six year old Diana suffered from abdominal pain, nausea and constipation
alternating with periods of bloody diarrhea. She also had pain in her joints, skin
lesions, tiredness and depression. She came to the clinic for blood tests and a
physical examination. She began diet therapy and kept a record of the foods she
ate and her body's reaction to foods. She found her condition got worse when she
ate fried foods and some fruits and vegetables. She ate small, frequent meals and
followed the advice of her doctor.
Case #2: Maria
Seventeen-year-old Maria has been on one diet or another since she was in junior
high. She recently lost 10 pounds from an already slender frame after becoming a
strict vegetarian. Her parents are concerned about the weight loss, but Maria
insists that she’s just under stress at school. Meanwhile, her vegetarian diet is
becoming stricter by the day. Maria obsessively counts calories, measures food
portions, and weighs herself at least twice a day. She refuses to eat at
restaurants, in the school cafeteria, or anywhere else in public, and she lives on
salad dressed with vinegar, rice cakes, and sugar-free Jello.
Case #3: Linda
Twenty-four year old Linda has a history of sinus infections (including two sinus
surgeries), asthma, diarrhea, headaches, chronic fatigue, and dizziness. Food
allergy testing was positive for allergy to gluten. This patient also tested positive
for hypothyroidism and iron deficient anemia. Removal of gluten-free foods from
the diet and treatment of hypothyroidism and anemia has resulted in significant
improvement in energy and the resolution of diarrhea and dizziness. Sinus
infections have been greatly reduced, as have headaches, and her health
continues to improve with time.
Case #4: Harold
Harold, a fifty-eight year old grocery store manager, had recently been waking up
in the middle of the night with abdominal pain. This was happening several nights
a week. He was also experiencing occasional discomfort in the middle of the
afternoon. The pain finally becomes so severe that he comes into the ER. You
listen as Harold describes his symptoms and then ask him some questions. You
note that Harold’s appetite has decreased as a result of the pain he was
experiencing and as a result of the fear that what he was eating may be
responsible for the pain. He also states that his stools are extremely dark. You
refer Harold to get an endoscopy.
Case #5: George
Forty-four year old George experiences a burning sensation after eating meals
and physical activity. He has noticed that these symptoms are more common
after he has eaten fried or fatty foods, chocolate and following his morning
coffee. His discomfort has been so severe some days that he has been absent
from work. A friend suggested that he take antacid to treat his condition and
make changes to his diet, which has lessened his symptoms.
Case #6: Adam
Adam, a nineteen year old student just returned from Mexico during his winter
break. Lately he has been experiencing muscle and joint pain and fatigue. His
lymph glands are swollen and he has a sore throat, nausea, and occasional
diarrhea. His mother noticed that the whites of his eyes were starting to turn
yellow and decided he should go to the hospital. After listening to Adam’s
symptoms, you decide to run blood tests to test for liver enzymes and viral
antibodies and genetic material, which confirm your suspicions.