Diseases

Diseases affecting the entire Gastrointestinal Tract

• Crohn's Disease
  
  Crohn's disease is a chronic or long-tem inflammatory disease of the intestine. It can occur anywhere between the mouth and the anus, but ulcerations usually occur in the small and large intestine. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and weight loss.
  
  
• Gastroenteritis
  
  Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestine. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Infectious organisms, food poisoning or stress can cause gastroenteritis.

Diseases affecting the Oesaphagus, Stomach or Duodenum

• Acid reflux
  
  Acid reflux occurs when acid from the stomach rises up into the oesophagus. It occurs when the valve separating the contents of the stomach and the oesophagus does not function properly.
  
  
• Hernia
  
  A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach is above the diaphragm, the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. The diaphragm helps prevent acid from coming up into the oesophagus. When a hiatal hernia is present, it is easier for the acid to come up and cause acid reflux. A hiatal hernia can happen in people of any age; many otherwise healthy people over 50 have a small one.
  
  
• Peptic Ulcer
  
  A peptic ulcer is a hole in the lining of the stomach, duodenum or oesophagus. The most common cause of peptic ulcers is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori which causes inflammation in the inner lining of the stomach. One out of every six patients with H. pylori infection will develop an ulcer. Ulcers often come and go spontaneously and the patient may be unaware unless serious complications like bleeding or perforation occur.

Diseases affecting the Small and Large Intestines

• Intestinal fistulas
  
  Intestinal fistulas are tubular connections between the bowel and other organs or the skin. Fistulas occur when inflammation extends through all the layers of the bowel and proceeds to funnel through the layers of other organs.
  
  
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  
  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common ailments of the intestine affecting approximately 15% of the population. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.
  
  
• Polyps
  
  Polyps are benign tumours of the large intestine. Polyps do not invade or spread to other tissues. They are usually removed during colonoscopy and are not life threatening.
  
  
• Ulcerative colitis
  
  Ulcerative colitis is a chronic or long-term inflammation of the large intestine. Symptoms vary with the severity of the disease and may include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and diarrhoea.
  
  
• Colon cancer
  
  Tumours of the colon and rectum are growths from the inner wall of the large intestine. If benign polyps are not removed they may become malignant(cancerous) over time to form tumours.
  
  
• Diarrhoea
  
  Diarrhoea occurs when there is unusually frequent or unusually liquid bowel movements. Persistent diarrhoea is both uncomfortable and damaging to health, especially in infants and the elderly. It may indicate an underlying infection. Some nutrients may not be absorbed by the body during diarrhoea and dehydration may also occur.
  
  
• Haemorrhoids (Piles)
  
  Haemorrhoids occur when the veins around the anal opening become abnormally enlarged or dilated. Symptoms include bleeding, mucous or faecal soiling of undergarments, itching and occasional pain.