Common Digestive and Urinary System Problems
Chron’s Disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the lining of your
digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and
malnutrition. Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract
in different people.
The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease often spreads deep into the layers of affected bowel
tissue. Crohn's disease can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to lifethreatening complications.
While there's no known cure for Crohn's disease, therapies can greatly reduce its signs and
symptoms and even bring about long-term remission. With treatment, many people with Crohn's
disease are able to function well.
In some people with Crohn's disease, only the last segment of the small intestine (ileum) is affected.
In others, the disease is confined to the colon (part of the large intestine). The most common areas
affected by Crohn's disease are the last part of the small intestine and the colon.
Signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease can range from mild to severe. They usually develop
gradually, but sometimes will come on suddenly, without warning. You may also have periods of time
when you have no signs or symptoms (remission).
When the disease is active, signs and symptoms may include:

Diarrhea.

Fever and fatigue.
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Abdominal pain and cramping
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Blood in your stool.
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Mouth sores.
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Reduced appetite and weight loss
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Perianal disease
People with severe Crohn's disease may also experience:

Inflammation of skin, eyes and joints

Inflammation of the liver or bile ducts

Delayed growth or sexual development, in children
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/basics/symptoms/con-20032061
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the
ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people
worldwide. Two and one-half million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health
complications.
When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley), their body
mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the
villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption. When
the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body.
Celiac disease is hereditary, meaning that it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative
with celiac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease.
Treatment
Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet.
People living gluten-free must avoid foods with wheat, rye and barley, such as bread and beer.
Ingesting small amounts of gluten, like crumbs from a cutting board or toaster, can trigger small
intestine damage.
Read about the Gluten-Free Diet.
Celiac disease is also known as coeliac disease, celiac sprue, non-tropical sprue, and gluten
sensitive enteropathy.
Undiagnosed or untreated celiac disease can lead to:
Long-Term Health Conditions

Iron deficiency anemia

Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia

Infertility and miscarriage

Lactose intolerance

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Central and peripheral nervous system disorders

Pancreatic insufficiency

Intestinal lymphomas and other GI cancers (malignancies)

Gall bladder malfunction

Neurological manifestations, including ataxia, epileptic seizures, dementia, migraine,
neuropathy, myopathy and multifocal leukoencephalopathy… Read more at
http://celiac.org/celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/#0cOPd0zOqCuSk2uv.99
Diverticulitis
Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of your digestive system. They are
found most often in the lower part of the large intestine (colon). Diverticula are common, especially
after age 40, and seldom cause problems.
Sometimes, however, one or more of the pouches become inflamed or infected. That condition is
known as diverticulitis (die-vur-tik-yoo-LIE-tis). Diverticulitis can cause severe abdominal pain, fever,
nausea and a marked change in your bowel habits.
Mild diverticulitis can be treated with rest, changes in your diet and antibiotics. Severe or recurring
diverticulitis may require surgery.
The signs and symptoms of diverticulitis include:

Pain, which may be constant and persist for several days. Pain is usually felt in the lower left side
of the abdomen, but may occur on the right, especially in people of Asian descent.

Nausea and vomiting.

Fever.

Abdominal tenderness.

Constipation or, less commonly, diarrhea.
Diverticula usually develop when naturally weak places in your colon give way under pressure. This
causes marble-sized pouches to protrude through the colon wall.
Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula tear, resulting in inflammation or infection or both.
Several factors may increase your risk of developing diverticulitis:

Aging. The incidence of diverticulitis increases with age.

Obesity. Being seriously overweight increases your odds of developing diverticulitis. Morbid
obesity may increase your risk of needing more-invasive treatments for diverticulitis.

Smoking. People who smoke cigarettes are more likely than nonsmokers to experience
diverticulitis.

Lack of exercise. Vigorous exercise appears to lower your risk of diverticulitis.
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Diet high in animal fat and low in fiber, although the role of low fiber alone isn't clear.

Certain medications. Several drugs are associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis,
including steroids, opiates and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve).
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diverticulitis/basics/risk-factors/con-20033495
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). Irritable
bowel syndrome commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and
constipation. IBS is a chronic condition that you will need to manage long term.
Even though signs and symptoms are uncomfortable, IBS — unlike ulcerative colitis and Crohn's
disease, which are forms of inflammatory bowel disease — doesn't cause changes in bowel tissue or
increase your risk of colorectal cancer.
Only a small number of people with irritable bowel syndrome have severe signs and symptoms.
Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress. Others will need
medication and counseling.
The signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary widely from person to person and often
resemble those of other diseases. Among the most common are:

Abdominal pain or cramping

A bloated feeling

Gas

Diarrhea or constipation — sometimes alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea

Mucus in the stool
For most people, IBS is a chronic condition, although there will likely be times when the signs and
symptoms are worse and times when they improve or even disappear completely.
When to see a doctor
Although as many as 1 in 5 American adults has signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome,
fewer than 1 in 5 who have symptoms seek medical help. Yet it's important to see your doctor if you
have a persistent change in bowel habits or if you have any other signs or symptoms of IBS because
these may indicate a more serious condition, such as colon cancer.
Symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition include:

Rectal bleeding

Abdominal pain that progresses or occurs at night

Weight loss
Your doctor may be able to help you find ways to relieve symptoms as well as rule out colon
conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. Your doctor can also help you
avoid possible complications from problems such as chronic diarrhea.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/basics/symptoms/con20024578
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones (renal lithiasis) are small, hard deposits that form inside your kidneys. The stones are
made of mineral and acid salts. Kidney stones have many causes and can affect any part of your
urinary tract — from your kidneys to your bladder. Often, stones form when the urine becomes
concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.
Passing kidney stones can be quite painful, but the stones usually cause no permanent damage.
Depending on your situation, you may need nothing more than to take pain medication and drink lots
of water to pass a kidney stone. In other instances, surgery may be needed. Your doctor may
recommend preventive treatment to reduce your risk of recurrent kidney stones if you're at increased
risk of developing them again.
A kidney stone may not cause symptoms until it moves around within your kidney or passes into your
ureter — the tube connecting the kidney and bladder. At that point, these signs and symptoms may
occur:

Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs

Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen and groin

Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity

Pain on urination

Pink, red or brown urine

Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

Nausea and vomiting

Persistent urge to urinate

Urinating more often than usual

Fever and chills if an infection is present
Pain caused by a kidney stone may change — for instance, shifting to a different location or
increasing in intensity — as the stone moves through your urinary tract.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs and symptoms that worry you.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

Pain so severe that you can't sit still or find a comfortable position

Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Pain accompanied by fever and chills

Blood in your urine

Difficulty passing urine
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that begins in your bladder — a balloon-shaped organ in your
pelvic area that stores urine. Bladder cancer begins most often in the cells that line the inside of
the bladder. Bladder cancer typically affects older adults, though it can occur at any age.
The great majority of bladder cancers are diagnosed at an early stage — when bladder cancer is
highly treatable. However, even early-stage bladder cancer is likely to recur. For this reason,
bladder cancer survivors often undergo follow-up tests to look for bladder cancer recurrence for
years after treatment.
Bladder cancer signs and symptoms may include:

Blood in urine (hematuria) — urine may appear dark yellow, bright red or cola colored. Or urine
may appear normal, but blood may be detected in a microscopic examination of the urine

Frequent urination

Painful urination

Back pain

Pelvic pain
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you, such as
blood in your urine.
Factors that may increase your risk of bladder cancer include:

Smoking. Smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes may increase your risk of bladder cancer by
causing harmful chemicals to accumulate in your urine. When you smoke, your body
processes the chemicals in the smoke and excretes some of them in your urine. These harmful
chemicals may damage the lining of your bladder, which can increase your risk of cancer.

Increasing age. Your risk of bladder cancer increases as you age. Bladder cancer can occur at
any age, but it's rarely found in people younger than 40.

Exposure to certain chemicals. Your kidneys play a key role in filtering harmful chemicals from
your bloodstream and moving them into your bladder. Because of this, it's thought that being
around certain chemicals may increase your risk of bladder cancer. Chemicals linked to
bladder cancer risk include arsenic and chemicals used in the manufacture of dyes, rubber,
leather, textiles and paint products.

Previous cancer treatment. Treatment with the anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
increases your risk of bladder cancer. People who received radiation treatments aimed at the
pelvis for a previous cancer may have an elevated risk of developing bladder cancer.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bladder-cancer/basics/risk-factors/con-20027606
Cystitis
Cystitis (sis-TI-tis) is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder. Most of the time, the
inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, and it's called a urinary tract infection (UTI). A bladder
infection can be painful and annoying, and it can become a serious health problem if the infection
spreads to your kidneys.
Less commonly, cystitis may occur as a reaction to certain drugs, radiation therapy or potential
irritants, such as feminine hygiene spray, spermicidal jellies or long-term use of a catheter. Cystitis
may also occur as a complication of another illness.
The usual treatment for bacterial cystitis is antibiotics. Treatment for other types of cystitis depends
on the underlying cause.
Cystitis signs and symptoms often include:

A strong, persistent urge to urinate

A burning sensation when urinating

Passing frequent, small amounts of urine

Blood in the urine (hematuria)

Passing cloudy or strong-smelling urine

Discomfort in the pelvic area

A feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen

Low-grade fever
In young children, new episodes of accidental daytime wetting also may be a sign of a urinary tract
infection (UTI). Nighttime bed-wetting on its own isn't likely to be associated with a UTI.
Call your doctor immediately if you have signs and symptoms common to a kidney infection,
including:

Back or side pain

Fever and chills

Nausea and vomiting
If you develop urgent, frequent or painful urination that lasts for several hours or longer or if you
notice blood in your urine, call your doctor. If you've been diagnosed with a UTI in the past and you
develop symptoms that mimic a previous UTI, call your doctor.
Also call your doctor if cystitis symptoms return after you've finished a course of antibiotics. You may
need a different type of medication.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystitis/basics/symptoms/con-20024076