Digestive Disorders

Hemorrhoids are dilated veins in the lower rectum and anus. They affect 50 percent of people over age 50. Diets low in fiber are thought to be a major cause. Straining at defecation to evacuate hard stools also seems to promote their development. A high-fiber diet and prompt, strain-free defecation help relieve mildly symptomatic hemorrhoids. Local swelling and pain can be decreased with local anesthetic creams, lotions, or suppositories; astringents; or cold compresses. For those with severe symptoms, rubber band ligation, cryosurgery, injection therapy, or surgical removal may be needed.

Constipation is the term given for infrequent or difficult evacuation of small, hard stools, accompanied by mild abdominal discomfort. When the condition is chronic, it may include nausea, stomach rumbling, appetite loss, and malaise. Constipation is a common condition that affects mostly the very young and the aged. While the number of bowel movements is variable in the general population, a normal individual should have at least three per week, or, ideally, one daily.

Treatment for constipation includes laxatives and enemas, a diet high in fiber, and adequate exercise. If these efforts fail, a doctor should be consulted to rule out causes such as drugs, diabetes, hypothyroidism, or colon problems.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It can occur periodically or chronically. The first sign may be a sudden, severe abdominal pain above the navel, which travels through to the back. Accompanying symptoms may include a low-grade fever, nausea, and vomiting. Pancreatitis in men is commonly associated with alcohol use, trauma, and peptic ulcer; in women, with gallstones and disease of the bile duct. In rare instances, a medication may be the cause.

Patients with an acute attack are hospitalized, given intravenous fluids, and administered painkillers. If the symptoms are caused by gallstones, the gallbladder should be removed. If alcohol is the cause, it should be stopped immediately and completely avoided thereafter. Any drugs that might be responsible should be discontinued.

For patients with chronic pancreatitis, analgesics are often used to treat the severe pain. A low-fat diet, along with pancreatic enzymes, is also sometimes part of the treatment regimen.

It's a little-known fact that sexually transmitted diseases may involve not only the genitalia but also the digestive tract. Shigellosis, giardiasis, and amebiasis are the most common of the sexually transmitted digestive diseases. They can also be passed along in food and water contaminated by infected individuals who fail to wash their hands properly. Symptoms generally include watery or even bloody diarrhea associated with severe abdominal pain. Without treatment, an attack may last from days to weeks. Therapy depends on the type of infection. These diseases should always be treated by a physician.

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