Common Conditions

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or, sometimes abbreviated to 'GORD'. also known as acid reflux, is a chronic digestive disorder that occurs when stomach acid or contents stream back up through your oesophagus and irritate the lining. Over time, the acid can wear on the lining, resulting in complications including bleeding, narrowing of the oesophagus or Barret’s oesophagus. Normally a ring of muscle fibres located at the end of the oesophagus, known as the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), opens to pass food through the oesophagus into the stomach and then closes again. In patients with GERD, the ring doesn’t fully close, allowing stomach acid to leak into the oesophagus.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease that impacts the digestive system after ingesting foods containing gluten. Gluten is the name for proteins found in wheat, rye and barley that help foods retain their shape and affect their elasticity. When gluten passes through the digestive system, it activates an immune response. As this occurs, over time, this immune response might damage the small bowel lining and hinder you from absorbing other essential nutrients.

Constipation occurs when bowel movements become difficult or less frequent. The normal length of time between bowel movements varies for each person but going longer than three days without a bowel movement is too long. Many people have small pouches in their colon that bulge outward through weak spots in the colon wall. Each pouch is called a diverticulum. Multiple pouches are called diverticula. Diverticulitis occurs when the pouches become inflamed or infected.

Gastroparesis is a challenging condition characterised by delayed stomach emptying, which can lead to various symptoms and complications. It is a condition where the stomach muscles are unable to propel food into the small intestine at the normal rate, leading to delayed digestion and emptying. Peptic ulcers are open sores that commonly occur in the stomach (where they're called gastric ulcers) or the upper small intestine (duodenal ulcers), often leading to pain, bleeding, and other discomfort. The cells that comprise the stomach lining are covered by a layer of mucus that helps protect the stomach against damage.

Inflammatory bowel disease is describing inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract that is grouped into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, causing discomfort. Crohn's disease creates uncomfortable inflammation of your digestive tract, namely your colon. It is usually at the base of the small bowel, the start of the colon, and could affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract ranging from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis also occurs through swelling of the colon but is typically accompanied by ulcerations in the tissue. It is restricted to the colon.

Irritable bowel syndrome presents as repeated symptoms within the digestive tract, causing pain in the abdomen and a change in bowel movements. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be best classified as a group of persistent symptoms that arise within the digestive tract. These symptoms can result from aggravation in the midsection, large intestine, or other sections of the gastrointestinal system. IBS indicators usually arise in answer to consuming certain diets, worry, or different life matters. Irritable bowel syndrome is an ailment that needs to be controlled on a long-term basis.

Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) occurs when cells in the bowel become abnormal and grow uncontrollably. If left untreated, it can grow into the deeper layers of the bowel wall and can spread from there to the lymph nodes (glands). Bowel cancer seems to start in one of two ways. It can grow from the inner bowel lining (mucosa), or it can develop from growths on the bowel wall called polyps. Not all polyps are malignant (cancerous); many are benign and harmless. However, polyps may grow and become cancerous over time.

Fatty liver disease, or hepatic steatosis, is a condition where fat accumulates in liver cells causing inflammation and scarring, leading to damage. If the severity of the disease gets worse, or if it is left untreated, fatty liver disease (FLD) can progress to liver cirrhosis and ultimately liver failure. There are two main types of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease): NAFLD or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Dysphagia is an individual's difficulty or inability to ingest food or liquid. There could be many explanations for why a person may experience dysphagia. It may be due to muscle spasms in the throat or oesophagus, not chewing their food thoroughly, or other internal problems. Dysphagia can also refer to the feeling of food being stuck in one's neck or chest area.