1.7 Disorders of Gut

Introduction

The digestive system is essential for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. However, like any other system in the body, it can develop disorders. Some common disorders of the gut include diarrhoea, constipation, and ulcer. This topic explains the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of these digestive disorders.

Definition

Disorders of the gut (also called gastrointestinal disorders) are conditions that affect the normal functioning of the digestive tract. They can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and discomfort.

The three common disorders discussed here are:

• Diarrhoea — frequent, watery stools.
• Constipation — difficulty in passing stools or infrequent bowel movements.
• Ulcer — a sore or lesion in the lining of the stomach or intestine.

Main Idea

Here we will discuss the causes, prevention, and treatment of the disorders related to the digestive system, e.g., diarrhoea, constipation, and ulcer.

Core Concept

Overview of Gut Disorders

Detailed Explanation

1. Diarrhoea

Symptoms:

• The stools become watery.
• There is an increased frequency of defecation.

Causes:

• Infection of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
• Nervous stimulation.

How infection causes diarrhoea:

• Infection such as food poisoning caused by eating contaminated food.
• The intestinal wall becomes irritated.
• Peristalsis increases.
• Food moves too quickly through the intestine.
• Water is not absorbed properly.
• Result: watery stools.

Complications:

- Diarrhoea may result in dehydration (loss of water and electrolytes).

Treatment:

• ORS (oral rehydration solution) is given to the patient.
• ORS is a mixture of salt and sugar solution.
• It helps replace lost water and electrolytes.

Simple explanation: Diarrhoea is when the intestine becomes irritated and pushes food through too quickly. The body loses water, so ORS is given to replace it.

Prevention:

• Drink clean, safe water.
• Eat fresh, properly cooked food.
• Wash hands before eating.
• Maintain good hygiene.

2. Constipation

Symptoms:

• Decrease in frequency of daily stools.
• Difficulty in defecation.
• Abdominal pain.

What happens in constipation:

• The faeces move too slowly along the large intestine.
• As a result, more water is absorbed from the faeces than usual.
• The faeces become hard.
• Defecation becomes difficult and painful.

Causes:

• Medications.
• Lack of exercise.
• Not enough liquids.
• Not enough fibre in the diet (such as fruit, vegetables, and cereals).
• A change in routine or lifestyle, such as a change in eating habits.

Treatment:

- A laxative is taken to make the faeces soft for easy discharge.

Prevention:

• Take plenty of water or fluids.
• Eat fibrous food, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Important note: Constipation is called the mother of all diseases.

Simple explanation: Constipation is when waste moves too slowly through the large intestine. Too much water is absorbed, making the faeces hard and difficult to pass. Eating fibre and drinking water helps prevent it.

3. Ulcer

What is an ulcer?

• An ulcer is a sore or lesion in the lining of the stomach or intestine.
• It occurs when the mucous lining covering the stomach breaks down.
• Stomach tissues are damaged by gastric juice (HCl and pepsin).

Symptoms:

• Burning pain in the stomach.
• Pain may worsen when the stomach is empty.
• Nausea.
• Bloating.
• Heartburn.

Causes:

• Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.
• Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Excess acid production.
• Smoking.
• Stress.

How ulcer develops:

• The mucous lining covering the stomach breaks down.
• Stomach tissues are damaged by gastric juice.
• HCl and pepsin digest the stomach wall.
• This causes an ulcer.

Treatment:

• Antibiotics (if H. pylori infection is present).
• Acid-reducing medications (proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers).
• Avoiding NSAIDs.
• Avoiding smoking and alcohol.

Prevention:

• Avoid smoking.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Avoid excessive use of NSAIDs.
• Manage stress.
• Treat H. pylori infection.

Simple explanation: An ulcer is like a sore in the stomach lining. It happens when the protective mucus layer breaks down, and stomach acid damages the stomach wall. Treatment includes antibiotics and acid-reducing medicines.

Intermediate Level

Key points:

• Diarrhoea causes dehydration, so ORS is essential.
• Constipation is caused by slow movement of faeces and excess water absorption.
• Ulcer is caused by damage to the mucous lining of the stomach.

Important Points

• - Diarrhoea: watery stools, increased frequency of defecation.
• - Causes of diarrhoea: infection of the lower GI tract, nervous stimulation.
• - Diarrhoea may result in dehydration.
• - ORS (oral rehydration solution) is given to the patient.
• - Constipation: decrease in frequency of daily stools, difficulty in defecation.
• - Causes of constipation: medications, lack of exercise, not enough liquids, not enough fibre.
• - Faeces become hard in constipation because more water is absorbed.
• - Laxative is taken to make the faeces soft for easy discharge.
• - Constipation is called the mother of all diseases.
• - Ulcer: sore in the lining of the stomach or intestine.
• - Ulcer is caused by damage to the mucous lining of the stomach by gastric juice.
• - Symptoms of ulcer: burning pain in the stomach, nausea, bloating.
• - Causes of ulcer: H. pylori infection, NSAIDs, excess acid, smoking, stress.

Remember

• - Diarrhoea = watery stools, ORS treatment
• - Constipation = hard stools, fibre and water prevention
• - Ulcer = sore in stomach lining
• - Diarrhoea causes dehydration
• - Constipation is called mother of all diseases
• - Ulcer is caused by damage to mucous lining
• - ORS = salt + sugar solution
• - Laxative = softens faeces
• - Fibre = prevents constipation
• - H. pylori = causes ulcer

Common Mistakes

• 1. Thinking diarrhoea is only caused by infection.
• - Diarrhoea can also be caused by nervous stimulation.
• 2. Believing constipation is not serious.
• - Constipation is called the mother of all diseases. It can lead to other health problems.
• 3. Thinking ulcer is caused by stress alone.
• - Ulcer is mainly caused by H. pylori infection and NSAIDs. Stress can worsen it but is not the primary cause.
• 4. Forgetting to give ORS in diarrhoea.
• - ORS is essential to replace lost water and electrolytes.
• 5. Confusing constipation and diarrhoea.
• - Constipation = hard stools, difficulty in defecation.
• - Diarrhoea = watery stools, increased frequency of defecation.
• 6. Believing ulcer is caused by spicy food.
• - Spicy food can irritate an ulcer, but it does not cause it.
• 7. Thinking laxatives are a long-term solution for constipation.
• - Laxatives are for short-term relief. Long-term prevention requires dietary and lifestyle changes.

Quick Revision

60-Second Revision

• Diarrhoea = watery stools, increased frequency of defecation
• Causes: infection, nervous stimulation
• Treatment: ORS (salt + sugar solution)
• Constipation = hard stools, difficulty in defecation
• Causes: medications, lack of exercise, low fibre, dehydration
• Treatment: laxatives
• Prevention: water, fibre, fruits, vegetables
• Ulcer = sore in stomach lining
• Causes: H. pylori, NSAIDs, excess acid, smoking, stress
• Treatment: antibiotics, acid-reducing medicines
• Warning: Diarrhoea can cause dehydration. Always give ORS.