Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology is one of the largest branches of medicine that studies the digestive organs and their diseases. Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat diseases of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, biliary tract and pancreas by means of various instrumental or laboratory research methods. Among the most common diseases are gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric and duodenal ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), diverticular disease of the large intestine, etc.

Gastrointestinal diseases

Gastrointestinal diseases can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. There are two types of disease: functional and organic. Examples include colitis, food poisoning, lactose intolerance, and diarrhea.

What is functional gastrointestinal disease?

Functional diseases include such disorders, in which case no visible (including microscopic changes) disease or damage is detected during the examination of the gastrointestinal tract, although the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract at the level of digestion and motility is disturbed. Functional disorders are the most common problem among gastrointestinal diseases. Examples of the most common functional diseases are: abdominal discomfort, heartburn and nausea, flatulence, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Many factors can affect the gastrointestinal tract and its motility (the ability to move the bowels in a circular motion). Among them are:

intake of food with low fiber content;

insufficient physical activity;

traveling or changing other routine activities;

psycho-emotional stress;

defecation retention;

excessive use of anti-diarrheal medications, which over time disrupt the proper motility of the muscular layer of the intestines;

taking antacid medications containing calcium or aluminum;

taking certain medications (especially antidepressants, iron supplements, and strong pain relievers such as narcotics);

In some people, there is also an increased sensitivity of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract (visceral hypersensitivity). This can cause pain or discomfort even when the organs are functioning normally.

What are the organic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract?

Organic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are the group in which a visible (including microscopic changes) disease or damage is revealed during the examination of the gastrointestinal tract.

ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum;

Short bowel syndrome (complications and conditions following operations on the stomach and intestines);

celiac disease;

Whipple's disease

Liver diseases (various types of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, fatty liver);

bilirubin metabolism disorders (so-called "jaundice");

Chronic pancreatitis;

diverticular disease of the large intestine;

Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's);

precancerous diseases and conditions (Barrett's disease, gastrointestinal polyposis, achalasia of the cardia, "MALT-lymphoma");

When the course of some gastrointestinal diseases is complicated, surgical interventions and operations are necessary (bleeding from the esophagus, ulcers, hemorrhoids, emergency operations during acute intestinal obstruction, perforations - the so-called perforation of the intestine, in case of cancer, etc.)