Gastrology is the study of digestive disorders that produce a variety of symptoms including loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and bleeding. Genetics and other disease processes affecting the digestive tract include celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Barrett's esophagus and gallbladder disease. Cancer locations in the digestive system include the throat, esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum.
Stomach Cancer
MD Anderson Cancer Center states that a delay in obtaining a stomach cancer diagnosis and treatment often occurs because symptoms, such as indigestion and heartburn, are easily mistaken for other digestive problems. Continued symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, poor appetite and bloody or black stools indicate a need to consult a physician. Adenocarcinomas are the most common stomach cancers. Other cancer types include lymphoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and carcinoid tumors. Of the 21,000 Americans diagnosed over the year with stomach cancer, more than 10,000 will die.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occurs when the intestines squeeze too hard or not hard enough as the food processes through the intestines. FamilyDoctor puts the age of onset at about 20 years. Symptoms include mucus in the stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and constipation. Stress, unhealthy diet, eating too much at one time and some foods cause symptoms in the presence of IBS. Specific diagnostic tools for IBS include a colonoscopy and blood tests.
Celiac Disease
An inherited intolerance to gluten causes celiac disease. Ingesting gluten causes the body's immune system to damage the villi in the small intestine that normally absorb nutrients. Wheat, barley, rye and some medications contain the protein gluten. Once the villi damage occurs, the body can no longer absorb the nutrients from the dietary intake. Symptoms of celiac disease include stomach pain, fatigue, diarrhea, mood changes, gas and weight loss. As stated by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a gluten-free diet for life is the only treatment.
Barrett's Esophagus
Damage to the lining of the esophagus by stomach acid occurs when the sphincter at the top of the stomach allows leakage back into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder that allows the stomach contents to reflux, or return, into the esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a complication of GERD where the esophageal lining is damaged, increasing the risk of cancer of the esophagus. Once the damage to the lining occurs, the treatments include surgery or an esophageal balloon laser procedure to remove the abnormal lining. The National Institutes of Health reports that esophageal cancer occurs in only a small number of Barrett's esophagus patients.
