Gastrointestinal diseases and drug therapy options

A digestive disease is any disorder that occurs in the digestive tract, which is sometimes called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The digestive tract is made up of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, pancreas, and the gallbladder. In digestion, food and drink are broken down into small particles (nutrients) that the body can absorb and use for energy, growth and cell repair.

Digestive diseases may range from mild to serious. Some common problems include gastritis, peptic ulcer, stomach cancer, ulcerative colitis. Excessive alcohol use, stress, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications, infections, and vitamin insufficiency may contribute significantly to their development. A gastroenterologist is a physician who deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the digestive disorders.

Gastritis is an inflammation, irritation or erosion of the lining of the stomach. Peptic ulcer disease refers to painful sores in the gastric mucosa or duodenum. Stomach cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the mucous membrane of the stomach. The common symptoms of gastric dysfunction may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, loss of appetite, weight loss, and black and tarry stools. To relieve and remove gastric discomfort it is generally recommended to advise of taking antacids to neutralize gastric juice, proton pump inhibitors or H-2 blockers to reduce the release of stomach acid, antibiotics to kill bacteria, vitamin shots to replenish B-12 in the body. Stomach cancer is treated by surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Some side effects can be observed after this potent therapy, such as pain, fatigue, mouth, gum and throat sores, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, skin irritation, weight changes, hair loss, kidney and bladder problems, anemia, impairment of blood clotting process, increased risk of infection.

Ulcerative colitis is inflammatory bowel disease. It affects the lining of the large intestine and results in the appearance of painful and bleeding sores or ulcers. The main symptoms are abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, bleeding from the rectum, joint pain, and eye problems. If the symptoms are mild, the patient may need only over-the-counter medication for diarrhea. Many people require prescription medicines, such as aminosalicylates and steroids to reduce the body’s immune response, to stop symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

The incidence of gastrointestinal diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, viral hepatitis (A and E virus) can be substantially reduced by providing clean water and food to the population. Restricting consumption of tobacco and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diminishing alcohol intake and improving blood banks would prevent many acute and chronic liver diseases.