At some point in life, we have all experienced stomach pain, diarrhea or nausea. This is because the digestive system is an open system, exposed to microorganisms and harmful substances, which makes it prone to developing diseases.
Composed of the esophagus, the stomach, the thick and thin intestines, the liver, the pancreas and the gallbladder, this system has as the main function to help the body to digest food. In addition, it transforms food, extracts essential nutrients and eliminates waste, so it is essential for the body.
However, despite its importance, factors such as bad hygiene habits, consumption of contaminated or irritating foods, stress or even climate can cause infectious or chronic diseases.
What are gastrointestinal diseases?
According to him National Institute of Health of the United States (NIH, for its acronym in English), there are more than 20 common digestive diseases, among which are:
There are also types of cancer related to the organs of the digestive system, such as:
- Esophagus cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Delgado bowel cancer
- Colon cancer
In Guatemala, Infectious diseases are more frequent than chronicles, according to the report of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance of 2023. Among the most common are diarrhea, gastroenteritis of infectious origin, amoebiasis and intestinal parasitosis.
How to know if I suffer from a gastrointestinal disease?
There are symptoms that allow identifying problems in the digestive system, including:
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Fever (in severe cases)
- Gastric acidity
- Incontinence
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding (in severe cases)
These diseases not only affect the quality of life, but also mental health and the ability to perform daily activities. When the symptoms persist, it is essential to consult a specialist to obtain adequate diagnosis and treatment.
How to treat diseases of the digestive system?
Some daily actions can help prevent digestive diseases. Among the changes in diet and lifestyle are recommended:
- Carry healthy eating, with fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains
- Avoid the consumption of sugar, refined flours, artificial soft drinks, sodas, salt and ultraprocessed foods
- Maintain adequate hydration
- Perform physical activity regularly
- Chew slowly
- Control stress
When diseases are more serious, treatment depends on a precise diagnosis. Among the most common exams are:
- Colonoscopy: To examine the colon
- High digestive endoscopy: allows visualizing the esophagus, stomach and duodenum
- Capsule endoscopy: shows images of the digestive tract through a camera capsule
- Endoscopic retrograde colangiopancreatography (CPRE): To examine bile and pancreatic ducts
- Endoscopic ultrasound: offers detailed images of digestive organs
In some cases, surgical procedures are required, from minimally invasive techniques, such as endoscopy and laparoscopy, to more complex open surgeries.
In extreme situations, such as advanced liver diseases, chronic pancreatitis or intestinal insufficiency, it may be necessary to resort to organ transplants, including liver, pancreas or small intestine.