The Most Common Diseases Of The Digestive System
Diseases of the digestive system constitute a significant part of the disease burden in the world. Among them, some tend to be more frequent: we will detail them in this article.
Some diseases of the digestive system appear and disappear on their own, as if they were temporary symptoms. We can talk about some food poisoning, which tends to manifest itself for 24 hours and then disappear.
However, other diseases are chronic, such as colon cancer, the symptoms of which are not evident until it causes serious health complications. While it is true that progress has been made in its detection, it is still one of the most prevalent neoplasms.
The digestive tract is very varied and involves different organs, from the mouth to its own micro-environment to the large small intestine and its annex glands, such as the pancreas, which also has hormonal functions and secretes insulin. What are the most common disorders of the digestive system? We will reveal them to you now!
1. Diseases of the digestive system: gastroenteritis
In children, gastroenteritis is a usual process. These are almost always infections that are caught through contact with other children, especially in the school environment.
The great danger of diarrhea in children is dehydration. When gastroenteritis continues and becomes aggressive, leading to heavy vomiting and watery stools, water escapes from the body carrying electrolytes with it.
This is why the basic treatment for gastroenteritis is hydration. Parents learn to give babies fluids in the correct way, without causing nausea, and to give them back salts, especially sodium and potassium.
In some countries, diarrhea is a huge killer and a public health problem associated with poor environmental cleanliness. Simple hygiene, such as hand washing, is already a powerful barrier against gastroenteritis microorganisms.
2. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a troublesome condition in which stomach acid travels up through the esophagus. The patient notes pain in the chest, a burn in the form of a tie and even a cough.
Hydrochloric acid in the stomach can only be found in the stomach so as not to hurt. When it advances to other organs, it injures them: this is what happens with the esophagus, which is not a structure prepared to receive this acidity.
It is common for GERD to be associated with gastritis or a herniated hiatus. Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach and hiatus hernia is the improper position of the bottom of the stomach, which sits above the diaphragm.
The treatment of this disease is based on the prescription of antacids and the change of eating habits. The patient should decrease the volume of each ingestion and eat every four hours or so.
3. Diseases of the digestive system: hemorrhoids
In adults, hemorrhoids are one of the most common diseases of the digestive system. These are the veins in the rectal area that become varicose. In other words, they lose their tone and become inflamed until they bleed.
In fact, the frequent symptom is the appearance of blood in the fecal matter. The person defecates and notices small drops of blood in the toilet, which are glowing red in color. When there is inflammation of the hemorrhoids, there may also be anal itching.
Often, hemorrhoids can be seen with the naked eye and diagnosis is quick. In other cases, they are internal and the doctor observes with a device, through a process called proctoscopy or anoscopy.
4. Colon cancer
Colon cancer is a serious disease and, unfortunately, very common. After lung cancer and breast cancer, it is the third neoplasia in terms of incidence in the world. In some countries, it takes second place if we add men and women with this diagnosis.
Even if the peak of presentation is at age 70, the risk of developing this cancer increases from age 50. This is why it is recommended to carry out regular colonoscopies from this age, to detect polyps that could be removed before they develop into malignancy.
Today, the treatment alternatives for colon cancer are varied. Despite everything, this remains a serious problem. The axis of therapy is, in fact, in early detection. Campaigns that stimulate screening endoscopies are therefore fundamental.
The most common diseases of the digestive system can be treated
Diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hemorrhoids, and colon cancer are diseases of the digestive system that can be treated. Science has advanced enough for us to be able to identify forms of prevention and treatment consistent with the disease.
Individual and social responsibility, in each of them, is important. Good hygiene, a healthy diet, sufficient vigilance to consult from the start and perform screening tests are the tools we have to fight the most common digestive diseases.
