• burning sensation in the chest
• chest pain
• difficulty in swallowing
• dry cough
• hoarseness
• regurgitation of food
• sensation of a lump in the throat
• abdominal pain or cramping
• bloated feeling
• gas
• diarrhea
• constipation
• mucus in the stool

• frequent acid reflux
• abnormalities in the gastrointestinal nervous system

• obesity
• bulging of top of stomach up into the diaphragm
• pregnancy
• smoking
• dry mouth
• asthma
• diabetes
• delayed stomach emptying
• scleroderma
• people under age 45
• have a family history of irritable bowel syndrome
• mental health problem

• maintain a healthy weight
• avoid tight-fitting clothing
• eat smaller meals
• don't lie down after a meal
• don't smoke
• Intake fiber supplements
• do relaxation exercises
• do deep breathing

Number of Cases

• Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

• Aged > 50 years

Common Gender

• Ambulatory acid probe tests: To measure acid for 24 hours
• X-ray of upper digestive system: To see a silhouette of esophagus, stomach and upper intestine
• Endoscopy: To visually examine the inside of the esophagus and stomach
• Manometry: To measure the movement and pressure in the esophagus
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: To examine the lower part of the colon
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan: To produce cross-sectional X-ray images of internal organs
• Stool tests: To examine the stool for bacteria or parasites

• Gastroenterologist

Yes, Digestive Disorders causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Digestive Disorders is left untreated:

• narrowing of the esophagus
• esophageal ulcer
• Barrett's esophagus
• hemorrhoids
• impact overall quality of life

• Nissen fundoplication: To prevent reflux by wrapping the very top of the stomach around the outside of the lower esophagus
• Linx: To strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter

• Maintain a healthy weight: Lowers the frequency of heartburn
• Avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn: Helps in preventing heartburn
• Avoid smoking: Enhances the lower esophageal sphincter ability to function properly
• Eliminating high-gas foods: Decreases the chances of disease
• Eliminating gluten: Shows improvement in diarrhea symptoms
• Eat at regular times: Try to eat about the same time each day
• Drink plenty of liquids: Try to drink plenty of fluids every day
• Exercise regularly: Stimulates normal contractions of the intestines

• Acupuncture: Beneficial in treating heartburn
• Relaxation therapies: Lowers the signs and symptoms of GERD
• Hypnosis: Reduce abdominal pain and bloating
• Probiotics: Eases the symptoms
• Regular exercise, yoga, massage or meditation: Relieves stress
• Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy: Relax the muscles in the colon

• Counseling: Helps in reducing the chances of worsening the symptoms
• Learn about IBS: Helps you take better charge of it
• Seek out others with IBS: Join IBS support groups on the Internet or in your community

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Digestive Disorders to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.