The digestive system, which consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, liver, pancreas and gall bladder, functions to intake food, break down food particles and absorb nutrients into the blood stream. Many conditions and diseases can affect the digestive system and interfere with its ability to function effectively. Malfunctions of the digestive system often result in diarrhea, the occurrence of loose watery stools, and stomach cramps.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease, also known as gluten sensitive enteropathy, affects approximately one out of 133 people in the United States, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation. In patients with celiac disease the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley products, triggers the immune system to react causing damage to the small intestine. As the immune system damages the villi---small hair-like projections lining the membrane of the small intestine, the body fails to absorb necessary nutrients. Symptoms of celiac disease vary from person to person, but the damage to the small intestines often causes recurring stomach cramps often associated with gas and bloating along with chronic diarrhea.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance describes a condition that occurs when the body fails to produce enough lactase---an enzyme necessary to break down the sugar lactose. The body cannot absorb lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. The enzyme lactase breaks lactose down into simple sugars the body can absorb. Patients with lactose intolerance experience abdominal discomfort 30 minutes to two hours after ingesting milk products, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Lactose intolerance causes diarrhea and stomach cramps associated with gas and bloating.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis, also referred to as the stomach flu, causes watery diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps. The most common viruses to cause viral gastroenteritis include rotavirus, norovirus and some strains of adenoviruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These viruses are contagious and transmit through the oral-fecal route. Most patients get the virus through close contact with an infected person or through food contaminated by inadequate hand washing.
Food Poisoning
Bacteria ingested into the digestive system can release toxins that irritate the lining of the intestines therefore increasing intestinal secretion. Bacterial infections spread through food contaminated either by inadequate hand washing or improper cooking, therefore known as food poisoning or food-borne illness. Food poisoning causes watery diarrhea and stomach cramps along with nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue and fever, according to MayoClinic.com.
