Digestive disorders affect the digestive system's ability to break down food particles into small molecules, which cells then use as energy. The digestive tract, also called the alimentary canal or gastrointestinal tract, consists of a series of hollow organs that run from the mouth to the anus. These organs include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. The liver, pancreas and gall bladder also aid digestion. Digestive disorders cause a variety of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bowel changes, bloody stool and unexplained weight loss, and deprive the body of vital nutrients.
Functional Disorders
Functional digestive disorders occur when the organs of the digestive tract appear normal but function abnormally. The most common functional disorder, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, is irritable bowel syndrome, which affects approximately 20 percent of Americans. Irritable bowel syndrome causes abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome occurs because the nerves and muscles of the digestive tract, usually the large intestine, become sensitive and contract too much causing the symptoms.
When the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach, begins to work improperly, gastroesophageal reflux disease develops. When this sphincter fails to close tightly or opens spontaneously, stomach acid rises into the esophagus, triggering pain and discomfort in the chest, a condition known as heartburn. Other functional disorders include chronic constipation and dyspepsia, which is the feeling of discomfort in the upper portion of the abdominals.
Structural Disorders
Structural digestive disorders occur when an abnormality in the structure of the digestive tract interferes with the function. Small pouches in the lining of the large intestine, also known as the colon, cause the condition diverticulosis, which affects approximately half of all people over the age of 60, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. When these pouches become inflamed or infected, diverticulosis becomes known as diverticulitis. Diverticulitis causes abdominal pain that may be severe and occur suddenly. Some people may also experience fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.
Several structural disorders affect the anal area. Hemorrhoids, swollen blood vessels that line the opening of the anus, occur due to stress and straining. Internal hemorrhoids are normal structures that help protect the rectum from damage. But during straining, these blood vessels descend into the anus, as described by the Cleveland Clinic, where they become irritated and bleed. Other structural anal disorders include anal fissures, or small cracks in the lining of the anus and anal fistula, a hole in the anal canal which allows waste into the skin.
Cancer
Cancer, the abnormal and uncontrollable growth of cells, can affect the organs of the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum and anus. Cancer also affects other organs that contribute to the process of digestion including the liver, gall bladder, pancreas and bile ducts.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Cleveland Clinic: Gastrointestinal Disorders
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
