World Digestive Health Day is observed on May 29 annually across the globe to spread awareness about the importance of digestive health and related disorders and issues faced by people. This day was initiated by the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), to raise awareness regarding the treatment, prevention, prevalence and diagnosis of this disease or disorder.

Digestive disorders affect millions of people across the globe. They encompass a variety of diseases ranging from mild to severe. Some common digestive disorders include gastroesophageal reflux disease, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance and hiatal hernia.

Common Digestive Disorders That You Must Know About

1. GERD and Acid Reflux

According to the Mayo Clinic, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (oesophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your oesophagus. Many people experience acid reflux from time to time.

2. Gallstones

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your liver. The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called bile that's released into your small intestine, states Mayo Clinic.

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The National Institute of Health states that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of symptoms that occur together, including repeated pain in your abdomen and changes in your bowel movements, which may be diarrhoea, constipation, or both. With IBS, you have these symptoms without any visible signs of damage or disease in your digestive tract.

4. Diverticulitis

The Cleveland Clinic reports that diverticulitis is a complication that can affect people with diverticulosis, with small pockets on the inside of their colon. If one of the pockets becomes injured or infected, it can cause inflammation inside. If you have a sharp pain in your lower left abdominal quadrant, it might be diverticulitis.

5. Crohn’s Disease

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes swelling of the tissues (inflammation) in your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition, as per Mayo Clinic.

 

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)