The digestive system consists of a group of hollow organs including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus. This system functions to digest large particles of food into small molecules that become absorbed into the bloodstream to provide nourishment and energy to the cells in the body. In addition to the organs forming the digestive tract, the liver, pancreas and gall bladder perform important digestive functions. Because digestion involves so many different organs that span such a great length--the small intestines alone is approximately 20 feet long according to Colorado State University--it can become susceptible to many diseases that interfere with its normal functions.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease, once thought to be a rare digestive disease, affects approximately 2 million people in the United States as reported by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Celiac disease is characterized by the inability to tolerate gluten, a protein commonly found in wheat, rye and barley products. For those with celiac disease ingesting gluten triggers the immune system which damages the villi, small finger-like projections that line the small intestine. The villi absorb the nutrients from the food into the bloodstream. Damaged villi cannot perform this function resulting in malnourishment.
Celiac disease causes abdominal pain and bloating, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and weight loss. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that adults may also experience anemia, fatigue, bone pain, arthritis, depression, seizures, numbness or tingling of the hands and feet and infertility.
Diverticulitis
Diverticula, small bulging pouches, can form along the digestive tract but most commonly occur in the large intestine as reported by MayoClinic.com. Diverticula form in weak areas of the large intestine, a condition known as diverticulosis. If they become inflamed or infected the condition escalates to diverticulitis, which causes abdominal pain that is often severe, changes in bowel habits, fever, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, is one of the most common functional digestive diseases affecting approximately 15 percent of the adults in the United States, according to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help and Support Group. IBS causes a variety of symptoms including diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, an urgency to defecate, incontinence and straining during defecation. Many with IBS suffer from another digestive disease or disorder making diagnosis and treatment challenging.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
The stomach secretes digestive juices, which contain acid to aid in breaking food particles down. Food is ingested, chewed and swallowed beginning its journey through the digestive tract. It continues to move through the esophagus and enters the stomach through the lower esophageal sphincter---a ring of muscle that prevents food from moving backward into the esophagus, according to Medline Plus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the sphincter does not close properly or relaxes allowing the contents of the stomach to enter the esophagus. This causes a burning feeling in the chest known as heartburn, nausea and can lead to chronic coughing and difficulty swallowing.
