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Gastrointestinal Disease
Gastrointestinal diseases target the gastrointestinal tract that runs from the mouth to the anus.
Types of gastrointestinal disease are:
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) occurs when stomach contents overflow back into the oesophagus. GORD happens as a result of a weakened sphincter, which is a muscle in the shape of a ring at the base of the oesophagus. Patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease experience heartburn and a strange taste in their mouth.
- Inflammatory bowel disease is inflammation of the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis gives rise to sores (ulcers) along the large intestine’s lining. Crohn’s disease is a type of bowel illness that affects multiple layers of the digestive tract.
- Gallstones are hardened pieces of bile that develop inside the gallbladder, a pear-shaped pouch that stores digestive fluid where it is released into the small intestine. The build-up of gallstones obstructs the flow of bile to the intestine and therefore causes abdominal pain and jaundice.
- Blood in the stool
- Bloated stomach
- Excessive weight loss
- Lethargy
- Anaemia
- Change in bowel movement
Typical causes of gastrointestinal disease are a low fibre and high dairy diet. Cheese and milk contain excessive amounts of protein and fat that makes them challenging to digest. Consuming too much dairy can cause bloating, gas, constipation and abdominal pain. Inactivity and stress also contribute to the condition, so doctors suggest eating healthily and exercising regularly.
Apart from a lack of exercise and poor diet, genetics plays a role in the development of gastrointestinal disease. Celiac disease is a type of condition that is linked to genetics and occurs when the immune system has an adverse reaction to gluten, which are proteins sourced in grains. Such an unfavourable reaction happens when the body’s immune system destroys villi, tiny hairs, in the small bowel.
Other reasons for the gastrointestinal disease are structurally related, including strictures within the GI tract and the build-up of gallstones. Gallstones affect the digestive system, and strictures cause bowel obstruction.
Treatment of the gastrointestinal disease depends on the type and includes the following:
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is treatable through over-the-counter drugs (antacids) or surgery. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is a keyhole or laparoscopic surgery that is carried out to tighten the weak sphincter at the oesophagus base, which prevents acid from moving back from the stomach.
- Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease depends on the cause of the condition and includes medication such as antibiotics in case of an infection or anti-inflammatories. To treat severe weight loss, doctors insert a PEG tube for the patient to receive adequate nutrition. In severe ulcerative colitis, surgeons remove the whole colon and rectum. They can either use an internal pouch to drain faecal matter or create a stoma for stool to pass through into a colostomy bag.
- A cholecystectomy is a surgery to remove an infected gallbladder and treat gallstone disease. Minimally invasive surgery is done through the use of a bendable tube known as a laparoscope that is guided in three-four incisions in the abdominal region. Surgeons pump harmless gas into the abdomen to inflate the area and cut through blood vessels and the bile duct when removing the gallbladder.
Avoid or minimise your intake of these products:
- Caffeinated drinks
- Coffee
- Peppermint
- Fruit juice
- Chocolate
- Fizzy drinks