Your gastrointestinal system includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon. Your liver, pancreas and gallbladder work with the gastrointestinal organs to digest the food you eat into absorbable subunits, which enter the bloodstream and nourish your body. Many functional, infectious and inflammatory conditions can adversely affect your gastrointestinal system. Knowing what symptoms to look for can help you identify possible gastrointestinal problems that may require medical treatment.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu, is a contagious illness that occurs when you inadvertently ingest disease-causing viruses, bacteria or parasites. Viruses most commonly cause gastroenteritis, including norovirus, adenovirus and rotavirus, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The germs infect your stomach and intestines, causing loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. You may develop a fever with some types of gastroenteritis. Dehydration is the primary health risk associated with viral gastroenteritis. You may require medical treatment to replenish your body fluids if dehydration develops. Viral gastroenteritis typically clears within one to 10 days, depending on the virus involved.
Lactose Intolerance
Milk contains the sugar lactose. Your small intestine produces the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose into smaller, absorbable sugars. Many people produce less lactase as they pass from childhood to adulthood. This may result in lactose intolerance, or a reduced ability to digest milk sugar, explains the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. With reduced lactase production, you may develop gastrointestinal upset after drinking milk or eating dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese or ice cream. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include abdominal cramps, excess intestinal gas, bloating, diarrhea and, less commonly, nausea. The severity of lactose intolerance varies, depending on the amount of milk in your diet and how much lactase your intestine produces. The symptoms of lactose intolerance overlap with those of other digestive system disorders. If you have persistent, unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, talk with your doctor.
Celiac Disease
Wheat, rye and barley contain a protein called gluten. In genetically susceptible people, ingestion of gluten triggers intense inflammation of the small intestine, damaging the absorptive surface. This condition, known as celiac disease or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, causes gastrointestinal symptoms, including persistent abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, excess intestinal gas and malodorous, fatty stools. Unintentional weight loss commonly occurs due to reduced absorption of dietary nutrients. With long-standing celiac disease, you may develop iron and vitamin deficiencies, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
A gluten-free diet is the primary treatment for celiac disease. Following a gluten-free nutrition plan means eliminating all wheat, rye and barley from your diet. This may prove challenging because many foods that you might not suspect contain these grains do have varying amounts of gluten. Your doctor will advise you about what foods and products to avoid. Elimination of all gluten from your diet generally leads to rapid symptom improvement. Healing of your intestine takes places over months to years, depending on the severity of the disease.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Viral Gastroenteritis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Lactose Intolerance
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Celiac Disease
- MedlinePlus: Celiac Disease - Nutritional Considerations
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 16th Edition"; Dennis L. Kasper, M.D., et al., Editors; 2004
