- Functional & Inflammatory Bowel diseases
- GI Cancers
Functional Bowel Diseases - IBS
These are types of troublesome and irritating GI diseases. There is no abnormal pathology in the body but yet the patient has to suffer a lot. It manifests as Bloating, Constipation, Diarrhoea and Abdominal Pain. The aetiology is multifactorial which include stress, Food intolerance, Altered flora, Visceral Hypersensitivity etc.
It requires regular follow up of with a Gastroenterologist and constant medications for symptom control and well being.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of complex, chronic conditions, characterised by prolonged inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can have a long-term impact on a patient’s quality of life.
Two main types of IBD
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the two major types of IBD.
These two diseases differ in their primary symptoms and location within the GI tract. In ulcerative colitis, the site of inflammation is confined to the inner layer of the colon and rectum, while in Crohn’s disease the inflammation can occur anywhere in the GI tract and involves all layers of the gut wall.
Common symptoms include abdominal pain and cramping, frequent bowel movements, diarrhoea, weight loss and feeling fatigued. Rectal bleeding is more common in ulcerative colitis, while abdominal pain is more common in Crohn’s disease.
Long-term complications from IBD can include repeated surgeries and hospitalisations, as well as an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
What are the current treatment options?
Corticosteroids, immune-suppressing agents and antibiotics are all used to treat IBD and in serious cases, surgery and hospitalization are required.
GI CANCERS
Variety of GI cancers can presents with common symptoms, like pain in abdomen, recent change in bowel habits, blood in stool, weight loss , Ascites .
Timely consultation with Gastroenetrologist can lead to early detection.