Intestinal Disorders - An Overview

What Are Intestinal Disorders?

Intestinal disorders affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the mouth to the anus. There are two main types of intestinal disease. They are functional and structural. The symptoms of intestinal disorders include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, food poisoning, and lactose intolerance.

What Are the Types of Intestinal Disorders?

There are different types of intestinal diseases. They are gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases, and celiac disease. Crohn’s disease, gallstones, lactose intolerance, fecal incontinence, Barrett’s esophagus, abdominal adhesions, indigestion, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, Hirschsprung disease, gastroenteritis, short bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, Whipple’s disease, hepatitis and malabsorption syndromes.

What Are Functional Intestinal Disorders?

Functional intestinal disorders are those in which the GI tract looks normal when examined but does not move properly. The most common gastrointestinal tract problems, including the colon and rectum, are nausea, gas, food poisoning, GERD, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, several factors can affect the GI tract and its motility. The factors include:

• Stress.

• Eating less fibrous food.

• Not adequate exercising.

• Traveling.

• Change in the daily routine.

• Eating excess amounts of dairy products.

• Overuse of anti-diarrheal medications.

• Resting the urge of bowel movements because of hemorrhoids.

• Pregnancy.

• Take medications such as iron, antidepressants, painkillers, antacids, and medicines containing aluminum or calcium.

What Are Structural Intestinal Disorders?

Structural intestinal disorders are when the bowel looks abnormal when examined and does not work properly. At times the structural abnormality needs to be removed surgically. Common structural GI disorders are stenosis, strictures, hemorrhoids, colon polyps, diverticular disease, inflammatory colon cancer, and colon cancer.

What Are Different Types of Functional and Structural Intestinal Disorders?

Functional intestinal disorders include:

Constipation: It is a functional disorder. In this disorder, there is difficulty in passing the stools. As a result, the stools are incomplete and infrequent (less than three times a week). It is usually caused by inadequate fiber or disruption of the regular diet or routine. Constipation causes strain during a bowel movement and may cause hard and small stools and anal problems, including hemorrhoids and fissures. It can further lead to a severe medical condition. One can treat constipation by:

• Moving the bowel if one has the urge, as resisting the bowel causes constipation.

• Maintaining a regular exercise routine ad increasing the intensity and duration of the exercise.

• Increasing the amount of water and fiber in the diet.

• Laxatives can be added if the above methods do not work.

• Be up to date with colon cancer screening.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): It is also known as IBS, nervous stomach, irritable colon, and spastic colon. It is a functional disorder. In this condition, the colon muscle contracts more often than normal. IBS can be triggered by medicines, certain foods, or emotional stress. Symptoms of IBS include bloating, excess gas, cramps and abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and changes in stools. The treatment for IBS includes:

• Increase fiber in the diet.

• Avoid caffeine.

• Monitoring factors and foods that trigger IBS.

• Getting enough rest and sleep.

• Staying hydrated.

• Minimize the stress.

Structural disorders include:

Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids are dilated veins present in the anal canal. It is a structural disease. The blood vessels appear swollen in the lining of the anal opening. Hemorrhoids are caused by excess pressure from straining during a pregnancy, persistent diarrhea, and bowel movements. There are two types of hemorrhoids external and internal.

1. Internal Hemorrhoids: They are blood vessels present inside the anal canal opening. Later, they become irritated and begin to bleed. They can even fall to prolapse out of the anus. The treatment includes:

• • Improvement in bowel habits.
  • Avoid starting at the bowel movements.
  • Avoid constipation.
  • Ligating bands can be used to eliminate the vessels.
  • Hemorrhoids can be removed surgically.

2. External Hemorrhoids: External hemorrhoids are the veins that lie outside the anus. External hemorrhoidal veins can burst after excessive straining, and blood clots can be formed. It is a severe condition called pile. The treatment includes:

• • Removal of the clot and vein under local anesthesia or hemorrhoid itself.

Anal Fissures: Anal fissures are structural diseases. They are cracks and splits in the lining of the anal opening. They are caused by the passage of very hard or watery stools. It is a very painful condition as the muscles become irritated from exposure to the air or stool, leading to intense bleeding, pain, and spasm after a bowel movement. The treatment for anal fissures includes:

• Increasing fiber intake in the diet.

• Painkillers.

• Sitting in warm water.

• Surgery is needed to repair the sphincter muscle if these treatments do not work.

Anal Fistula: Anal fistula is a structural disease. It follows drainage of an abscess. Fistulas can cause drainage, bleeding, and pain. They rarely heal by themselves but can need surgery to drain the abscess and close the fistula.

Perianal Abscess: A structural disorder occurs when the tiny anal glands inside the anus become blocked, and the bacteria there causes an infection. Treatment of perianal abscess includes:

• Draining the abscess under local anesthesia.

Can Intestinal Disorders Be Prevented?

The diseases of the rectum and colon can be treated when one develops a healthy lifestyle and practices good bowel movements. Colonoscopy is recommended for people under age 45. If one has any symptoms related to colorectal cancer, they should get the screening done. Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

• Anemia.

• Fatigue.

• Excessive weight loss.

• Narrow stool.

• Abdominal pain.

• Gas.

• Change in normal bowel movements.

• Blood in the stool.

Conclusion

Keeping the intestines healthy involves is critical. Regular bowel movements are important, as is undergoing cancer screenings on a routine basis. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise can help prevent intestinal disorders. By taking these measures, one can reduce the risk of developing intestinal issues and promote better digestive health overall.