Most common digestive system illnesses include reflux, celiac disease, gallstones, ulcer, IBS, and Crohn’s disease. All of them are dangerous, though not fatal if treated properly. However, suffering from any of these conditions will make your life pretty uncomfortable. Luckily, you can prevent most of them by a few simple changes in your diet and lifestyle.
6 Most Common Digestive System Illnesses
- Ulcerative colitis.
Over 900,000 Americans suffer from ulcerative colitis. This is an inflammatory bowel disease that usually affects the colon and large intestine. People with this condition suffer from ulcers (sores) in their digestive tract. This may result in diarrhea, pains, indigestion, and even bloody stool. Note that if left untreated, the disease can progress to the point when the patient will require a surgery to remove the colon. - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
If you have indigestion or stomach discomfort no less than three times a month, you might have IBS. This condition is extremely common in the US, and the world as a whole and its cause is unknown. However, poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle definitely contribute to its development. Of all the digestive system illnesses, IBS is one that is hardest to diagnose. Taking probiotic supplements, like Pro-Biotic 30, can help restore your gut microflora. This might be enough to effectively get rid of IBS. - Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s disease is another inflammatory bowel condition. Researchers aren’t sure what exactly causes it and there is no specialized Crohn’s disease treatment. Usually, therapy consists of treating the symptoms, which can include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and weight loss. In severe cases, the patients might develop high fever and require a surgery to remove a part of the bowel. - Celiac disease.
1 in 113 Americans suffers from Celiac disease. This condition is a severe form of gluten sensitivity. Its symptoms range from abdominal pains to depression and in some cases it goes completely unnoticed. There is no effective treatment, so patients can only switch to a gluten-free diet. - Gallstones.
Gallstones (mineral deposits in the gallbladder) are one of the most dangerous digestive system illnesses. Millions of people have gallstones and the majority of them don’t even know about them. While small, these deposits are relatively safe, but if they block the ducts through which your body moves bile to the intestines, the risk of death gets extremely high. - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
GERD is one of the most common digestive system illnesses. It can occur spontaneously as a reaction to some foods. Note that an occasional heartburn or acid reflux isn’t a cause for concern. However, if it becomes a regular occurrence, you should seek treatment. This condition can be a symptom of more serious digestive disorders.
How to Prevent Common Digestive System Illnesses
The majority of common digestive conditions are caused by irregular and unhealthy meals. Therefore, the easiest way to prevent them is to eat regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
In this case. ‘healthy’ means low in fats and high in fiber. Dietary fiber is the key to gut health as it literally keeps your intestines toned. It also soaks up various toxins and other ‘bad’ elements that get into your digestive tract and flushes them from your body.
Some types of fiber also contain prebiotics, which are essential for keeping your gut healthy. Note that unlike with probiotics (good gut bacteria) that you can get from supplements and dairy, prebiotics only exist in fiber.
The frequency and regularity of your meals is as important as their quality for preventing digestive system illnesses. If it’s hard for you to maintain a certain eating schedule, you should have some healthy snacks or a lunchbox on hand. This way, you’ll be able to eat on the go. This isn’t ideal, but it’s better than skipping meals.
