Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders include conditions such as:
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Perianal abscesses
- Perianal infections
- Anal fistulas
- Colitis
- Diverticular diseases
- Colon polyps and cancer
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, having good bowel habits and registering for cancer screening, many of these disorders can be prevented or reduced.
What are functional gastrointestinal disorders?
Functional disorders are disorders in which the gastrointestinal (GI) tract looks normal but having irregularity in functioning properly. They occur the most frequently as problems affecting the GI tract (including the colon and rectum). Constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are two common examples.
Many factors may cause the GI tract to upset and its motility (or ability to keep moving), including:
- Having a low fiber diet
- Lack of adequate amount of exercise
- Routine changes
- Large consumption of dairy products
- Stress
- Resisting body signal to have a bowel movement
- Resisting body signs to have bowel movements due to pain from hemorrhoids
- Abusing laxatives (stool softeners) that can weaken the bowel muscles over time
- Taking antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum
- Taking certain medicines (especially antidepressants, iron pills, and strong pain medicines such as narcotics)
- Pregnancy
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