Paying attention to abdominal health is imperative for leading a healthy and fulfilling life. GERD and other digestive disorders can affect the quality of your life. Knowledge about such issues is an important tool that can guide you towards having a strong stomach. The right way to prevent digestive disorders like GERD is to maintain an active lifestyle and follow a disciplined meal plan. Here are the most common digestive disorders that affect people worldwide.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
GERD is a digestive disorder that needs prompt treatment to prevent complications. This condition is triggered by gastric acid that flows persistently from the stomach back up into the food pipe to the mouth. Weakening of the ring of muscle that lies between the esophagus and stomach is the cause.

Symptoms of this health condition include heartburn, indigestion, bad breath, trouble swallowing, and, in some cases, issues with breathing. A few factors such as a high body-mass index, consuming too much caffeine, overeating, and eating a lot of chocolate and spicy foods can trigger or worsen the symptoms of this condition. Contact your healthcare provider when a digestive disorder like GERD starts interfering with your everyday life. The treatment of this condition aims to reduce the amount of reflux of stomach acid. While GERD is not a life-threatening disorder, chronic inflammation of the esophagus can lead to serious digestive issues. Health practitioners generally recommend anti-acid medications to reduce acid in the stomach. They also suggest lifestyle changes to help reduce the symptoms of GERD.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS can affect more than 40 million people in the country, irrespective of age. But it’s more likely to affect individuals in their teens till their 40s. It can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, discomfort, and bowel-related issues like constipation and diarrhea. This digestive issue affects the muscles in the intestines and is also known as IBS colitis. Headaches and food intolerance, accompanied by anxiety and depression, are frequently experienced by patients. Severe symptoms include rectal bleeding and weight loss. A balanced nutritional regime, a few lifestyle changes, and stress reduction can help manage this digestive disorder more effectively.

Ulcerative colitis
This inflammatory disease causes bowel irritation, severe inflammation, and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. The most common symptoms of this digestive disorder include cramping, belly pain, a sudden urge to pass stool, fever, dehydration, weight loss, joint aches, and loss of appetite. Treatment for this condition is provided by leading health practitioners and focuses on a couple of goals. The first aim is to make the person feel better and heal the colon. The second is to minimize the incidence of flare-ups. A meal plan with an adequate quantity of lean proteins, plenty of fiber, fruits, and veggies that provide enough nutrients can help handle the issues of this digestive disorder. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis can flare up, recede, and surface again after weeks or maybe years.

Crohn’s disease
Studies indicate that more than 3 million people in the country suffer from Crohn’s disease. This disorder affects the digestive tract, i.e.,  any part of it from the mouth to the anus, and is characterized by symptoms such as intense abdominal pain, diarrhea, and continuous mass loss. Such a debilitating inflammatory bowel disease affects the large intestine or colon. Studies reveal that Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and America, have the highest incidence of Crohn’s disease in the world. Inadequate nutrition and environmental pollution can trigger this digestive disorder. Eating highly-processed foods, smoking, consumption of excessive red and processed meat have been associated with a high risk of Crohn’s disease.

Celiac Disease
This autoimmune disorder is triggered by the presence of gluten in meals. Such digestive disorder is also known as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy. People suffering from this disease suffer from symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, heartburn, rashes, mouth ulcers, nausea, headaches, and fatigue. Celiac disease can affect the functioning of the spleen, which causes a loss in bone density, and hinders nutrient absorption. A gluten-free meal plan and an increased intake of fruits and green vegetables, meat, and poultry can help alleviate celiac disease symptoms.

Diverticulitis
This form of digestive disorder occurs when tiny pouches in the colon wall called diverticula are formed. This stomach disorder affects people of all age groups. The inflammation could cause the common symptoms of GERD and other digestive disorders, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and blood in the stool. Experts recommend a strict liquid intake for a week and later progressing to soft foods to handle the symptoms.