Digestive Diseases

Summary

When you eat, your body breaks food down to a form it can use to build and nourish cells and provide energy. This process is called digestion.

Your digestive system is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube. It runs from your mouth to your anus and includes your esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. Your liver, gallbladder and pancreas are also involved. They produce juices to help digestion.

There are many types of digestive disorders. The symptoms vary widely depending on the problem. In general, you should see your doctor if you have:

• Blood in your stool
• Changes in bowel habits
• Severe abdominal pain
• Unintentional weight loss
• Heartburn not relieved by antacids

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Diagnosis and Tests

• Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-Term American Academy of Family Physicians
• Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-Term American Academy of Family Physicians
• Abdominal Ultrasound Radiological Society of North America
• Colonoscopy: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• CT Enterography Radiological Society of North America
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Laparoscopy National Library of Medicine
• Lower GI Series (Barium Enema) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• MR Enterography Radiological Society of North America
• Radiographic Tests in GI American College of Gastroenterology
• Stool Color: When to Worry Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Stool Tests Nemours Foundation
• Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Upper GI Endoscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Encyclopedia

• Abdominal sounds Medical Encyclopedia
• Barium enema Medical Encyclopedia
• Black or tarry stools Medical Encyclopedia
• Hiccups Medical Encyclopedia
• Mesenteric angiography Medical Encyclopedia
• Peristalsis Medical Encyclopedia
• Protein-losing enteropathy Medical Encyclopedia
• Satiety – early Medical Encyclopedia
• Stool guaiac test Medical Encyclopedia
• Stools – foul smelling Medical Encyclopedia
• Stools – pale or clay-colored Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• American College of Gastroenterology American College of Gastroenterology
• ASGE: Find a Doctor American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• Find a Gastroenterologist American College of Gastroenterology
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Digestive System Diseases National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Gastrointestinal Diseases National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Intestinal Diseases National Institutes of Health

Symptoms

• Confusing or Ambiguous Upper Gut Symptoms International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders

Reference Desk

• Definitions of Digestive Terms International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Digestive Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Digestive System Nemours Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Digestive diseases Medical Encyclopedia
• EGD discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Fecal fat Medical Encyclopedia
• Gastrointestinal fistula Medical Encyclopedia
• Gastrointestinal perforation Medical Encyclopedia
• Lower GI Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Stools – floating Medical Encyclopedia
• Upper GI and small bowel series Medical Encyclopedia

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Digestive Health Tips American College of Gastroenterology
• Keeping Your Gut in Check: Healthy Options to Stay on Tract National Institutes of Health

Teenagers

• Digestive System (For Teens) Nemours Foundation

Older Adults

• Effects of Aging on the Digestive System Merck & Co., Inc.

Related Issues

• Globus International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
• What Is a Gastroenterologist? American College of Gastroenterology

Genetics

• Glucose-galactose malabsorption: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Microvillus inclusion disease: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy disease: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Specifics

• Gut Troubles: Pain, Gassiness, Bloating, and More National Institutes of Health

Children

• Kids and Teens GI International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Protein-Losing Enteropathy (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• What Is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist? American Academy of Pediatrics
• Your Digestive System (For Kids) Nemours Foundation

Start Here

• Learn about GI Motility International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Problems of the Digestive System American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Your Digestive System and How It Works National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Living With

• Personal Relationships and Digestive Disorders International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders

Journal Articles

• Digestive Diseases