Bowel Conditions
The gastrointestinal tract is complex and as such there are a myriad of symptoms and conditions associated with it.
Gastrointestinal conditions may also sometimes be referred to as digestive disorders or conditions. Below is a list of conditions that affect the gastro-intestinal tract. Click the links below to find more detailed information.
Anal Fissure
A fissure is initiated by a small split in the lower third of the anal canal. This split fails to heal and becomes established as a painful longitudinal ulcer associated with spasm of the anal sphincter muscle.
Coeliac Disease
Coeliac disease is a lifelong condition affecting the small bowel of genetically susceptible individuals.
Treatment involves a strict gluten-free diet.
Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer
Bowel cancer is the most common internal cancer in Australia (after prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women) and is the leading cause of cancer death in non-smokers.
Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease affects the large bowel. The disease is usually confined to the sigmoid colon although it can involve all the colon.
There are often no symptoms.
Faceal Incontinence
Many suffer from faecal incontinence are even reluctant to admit the problem to their doctor. This is a serious mistake as faecal incontinence can be controlled.
Giardiasis
Giardiasis is infestation of the small intestine with the parasite giardia lamblia.
Sometimes It occurs in outbreaks associated with contaminated water.
Gall Stones and Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis accompanies gallstones with symptoms including fever and tenderness in the upper abdomen and usually warrants urgent hospital treatment.
Gord
GORD, Hiatus Hernia, Reflux and Barrett's Oesophagus is usually associated with excessive exposure of the oesophagus to gastric acid. There are both medical and lifestyle interventions.
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are pads of spongy vascular nerve tissue in the upper anal canal and rectum, like a blood filed sponge, and can cause problems.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD is used to describe both Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease. Both are chronic inflammatory conditions of the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is the most common disorder of the digestive tract, but it's cause is not known. In about 25% of cases, IBS start soon after an attack of gastroenteritis (diarrhoea).
Lactose Intollerance
People with lactose intolerance experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, flatulence and/or bloating after consuming lactose. Lactose intolerance can also be caused by some illnesses.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis describes inflammation of the pancreas gland which lies behind the stomach and whose digestive contents enter the duodenum via the pancreatic and bile ducts.
