Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders (pronunciation: gas-tro-in-tes-ti-nal dis-or-ders) are conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum, as well as the accessory organs of digestion, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Etymology
The term "gastrointestinal" is derived from the Greek words "gaster" (stomach) and "enteron" (intestine). The term "disorder" comes from the Old French "desordre" (disorder, confusion).
Types of Gastrointestinal Disorders
There are many types of gastrointestinal disorders, including:
- Peptic ulcer disease: This condition occurs when sores develop in the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine, or esophagus.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is a chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): This is a term for two conditions, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This is a common disorder that affects the large intestine and can cause cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation.
- Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that involves both the stomach and the small intestine.
Symptoms
Symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders can vary greatly depending on the specific condition, but may include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss or gain.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, and imaging studies. Treatment can involve lifestyle changes, medication, and in some cases, surgery.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gastrointestinal disorders
- Wikipedia's article - Gastrointestinal disorders
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