What Causes Gastrointestinal Conditions?

Digesting food and absorbing nutrients from food are such common processes, that most of the time it’s not even thought about. However, there are times when these processes can become more complex. That is when a person might encounter illnesses such as gastrointestinal conditions. Gastrointestinal conditions are some of the most common types of health challenges that patients face. Common gastrointestinal conditions include IBS, acid reflux, haemorrhoids and symptoms like diarrhoea and constipation. The condition can be caused by a number of things ranging from genetics to recent diet changes. This blog focuses on what causes gastrointestinal conditions and how to treat them.

The gastrointestinal tract is a major route of drug distribution throughout the body and plays a central role in both digestion and absorption. Gastrointestinal disorders can interfere with these processes and cause a wide range of adverse effects that can be serious or even life-threatening.

Here are some of the most common gastrointestinal disorders:

Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea.

Vomiting may be caused by nothing more than motion sickness, but it’s also a sign that something’s wrong with your digestive system. 

Eating too fast, eating too much or eating at improper times may lead to esophagitis or gastritis. 

The symptoms of these conditions often respond well to treatment, but it’s important for people to know about these potential health problems. Learning the underlying causes of these conditions will allow you to take steps to avoid them and treat them sooner when they do happen.

Causes

Gastrointestinal diseases are caused by many different things. Sometimes there is no clear cause, but we do know that genetics, lifestyle, and where you live all play a role in gastrointestinal disease. Some common causes of gastrointestinal conditions include:

Genes: Genetics can play a big part in how your body works and whether you’re more or less likely to get sick from certain things.

Lifestyle: Some examples include smoking, alcohol use, poor eating habits, stress, sleep deprivation, lack of exercise.

Environmental factors: Where you live may increase your risk for certain diseases because of pollution levels or other factors in the area. Some are caused by infection with bacteria, viruses or parasites. Others are caused by external agents such as chemicals, radiation or toxins.

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal conditions can be caused by a wide variety of factors, from the foods you eat to your genetics. The causes mentioned might not always be a factor for getting a gastrointestinal condition as the exact cause is still unknown. However, you should be on the lookout for certain symptoms that may indicate you have one of these diseases.

• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Dehydration
• Abdominal distention
• Weight loss/gain

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s best to see your doctor or a gastroenterologist to get treatment options. The gastrointestinal tract is often a source of confusion for medical professionals, as well as patients. A multifactorial disease like Crohn’s Disease, for example, can be caused by both environmental factors (pollution), genetics (family history) and lifestyle choices (smoking).

While it may not always be possible to pinpoint the direct cause of a condition, most gastroenterologists agree that the best course of action is to treat the symptoms. This can be done through medication, lifestyle changes including diet and exercise, or surgery. Regency Health is one of the best hospitals in India that treats gastrointestinal conditions.