Digestive disorders affect the gullet, stomach and gut, which are responsible for breaking down the food you eat into nutrients your body absorbs. Common digestive disorders include constipation, diarrhoea and heartburn. 


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Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid travels back up the tube that connects your stomach to your mouth, and it can be very uncomfortable. Certain foods are known to trigger heartburn, but which ones?

 Foods that cause heartburn

If you have gout or are at risk of developing gout, there are certain foods and drinks you should limit your intake of. Find out what food and drinks may trigger gout or a flare-up of the condition. 


Foods to avoid with gout

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Abdominal pain, also called stomach or tummy pain, is any pain felt in the tummy area - between the chest and pelvis. It can be caused by conditions such as constipation, irritable bowel disease (IBS) and appendicitis. Some cases of abdominal pain get better on their own, while others need medical treatment. 

conditions

Do I need to get this checked out? stock photo

Abdominal pain is any pain between your chest and pelvis, and it's very common. Whilst some conditions do require immediate medical attention, many can be treated at home. Find out about the causes and treatments of your pain, depending on its location.

4 types of abdominal pain and what you can do

abdominal-pain

Stomach Intestine Illustration (1)

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If you have a food intolerance your body finds it hard to digest a particular type of food, such as gluten. If you eat a food you are intolerant to, you may experience symptoms of bloating, tummy pain or a rash. It’s not usually clear why people develop a food intolerance.


food-intolerance

If you have a food intolerance your body finds it hard to digest a particular type of food, such as gluten. If you eat a food you are intolerant to, you may experience symptoms of bloating, tummy pain or a rash. It’s not usually clear why people develop a food intolerance.

Constipation is a common condition that can make it harder to poo. It's commonly caused by not having enough fibre in your diet, but taking certain medications can also cause constipation. It can often be treated by making lifestyle changes like eating more fruit and vegetables, and drinking more water.


constipation

Bloating is when your tummy feels stretched, swollen and uncomfortable. Flatulence, otherwise known as passing wind, is when gas passes is released from your digestive system through your bottom. Both bloating and flatulence are common. 

bloating-flatulence

The anus is the opening at the end of the bowel. Anal problems can be embarrassing to live with, but they're common. Examples include hemorrhoids, abscesses and anal fissures. 


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Dealing With Stomach Pain stock photo

Coeliac disease is a condition where the immune system overreacts to a type of protein called gluten. If you have coeliac disease, eating gluten will trigger your immune system to attack and damage the small intestine. Common symptoms include diarrhoea and tummy pain after eating something which contains gluten.  


Young woman on gluten free diet is saying no thanks to toast in a cafe

Coeliac disease is a common digestive condition where a person has an adverse reaction to gluten.

Coeliac disease

coeliac-disease

Woman with hands on stomach suffering from pain stock

Constipation happens when you can’t pass stools regularly. It’s usually temporary and requires diet and lifestyle changes.

Constipation

Diarrhoea and vomiting can be caused by many thngs, including a gut infection.These symptoms usually clear on their own within a few days; however, more serious cases may need medical treatment. 


Young Girl Sitting On Bed At Home Feeling Nauseous 

diarrhoea-vomiting

Customer asking waiter about menu

A food intolerance is difficulty digesting certain foods and having an unpleasant physical reaction to them.

Food intolerance

Food poisoning can occur if you eat food that's contaminated, with bacteria for example. Symptoms may appear within a few days. If you have food poisoning you may be sick, have tummy pain or diarrhoea, and a fever. Usually, you will get better in a few days without the need for medical treatment.


Woman sitting over loo with food poisoning about to be sick

Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food. 

Food poisoning

food-poisoning

Food poisoning can occur if you eat food that's contaminated, with bacteria for example. Symptoms may appear within a few days. If you have food poisoning you may be sick, have tummy pain or diarrhoea, and a fever. Usually, you will get better in a few days without the need for medical treatment.

Gallbladder and bile duct problems may include gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), or a tumour in the bile ducts or gallbladder.

X-ray image that highlights gallbladder

gallbladder-bile-duct-problems

If you have an infection in your digestive system (gut) it may become damaed and inflamed, causing a variety of symptoms, such as feeling bloated, sick, diarrhoea or having tummy pain. 


Digital medical illustration and view of the gut, gut infection concept

gut-infection

Digestive problems like diarrhoea, heartburn and bloating are common and often settle down on their own. They can usually be treated at home or by making lifestyle changes, but if symptoms don't go away, you should see a doctor. 


Male suffering from stomachache pain,A man stomachache at outdoor,Healthy concept.

gut-problems

For a healthy gut, it’s important to stay hydrated and eat a diet rich in fibre. Fibre can be found in wholemeal bread, brown rice, and fruit and vegetables. It may also be best to avoid any foods you think causes problems for your digestion.


Food for bowel, healthy gut

Digestive complaints such as constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn and bloating are incredibly common but usually treatable.

Common digestive problems - and how to treat them

healthy-gut

Heartburn is a burning senation felt in the chest. It's caused by stomach acid travelling up towards your throat. It can feel worse after eating or when you lie down. Heartburn can cause other symptoms, such as a sore throat and a sour taste in your mouth.

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Acid reflux is when acid from your stomach travels up your food pipe (oesophagus), towards your throat.

Stomach disorders are conditions that affect the health of your stomach. Common examples like indigestion and heartburn often get better with lifestyle changes. But more serious conditions like peptic ulcers need medical treatment.

stomach-disorders

Heartburn and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) 

heartburn

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Many things can cause hepatitis, but it's most commonly caused by a viral infection. There are several different types of hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, as well as alcoholic hepatitis.


Micro models of hepatitis B viruses stock photo

Hepatitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the liver. It can occur as a result of a viral infection or because the liver is exposed to harmful substances such as alcohol.

Hepatitis

hepatitis

A hernia happens when a part of the body forces its way through a weak point in a muscle or tissue. Some hernias can sometimes be seen as a lump that can be pushed back in, but many hernias don’t cause any symptoms at all. Many types exist, including femoral, umbilical and hiatus hernias.


Man holds his hand in area of right lower tummy due to pain

A hernia is where an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall.

Hernia

hernia

A hernia happens when a part of the body forces its way through a weak point in a muscle or tissue. Some hernias can sometimes be seen as a lump that can be pushed back in, but many hernias don’t cause any symptoms at all. Many types exist, including femoral, umbilical and hiatus hernias.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of conditions where the gut becomes inflamed. There are 2 main types of IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Both can cause tummy pain, bloating, diarrhoea and weight loss.  

Book with words inflammatory bowel disease IBD on a table

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not a single disease. IBD is a term mainly used to describe two diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease

inflammatory-bowel-disease

Jaundice is when the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow. It's caused by a build up of a yellow substance, called bilirubin, in the blood. Many conditions can cause jaundice, including hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease.  


Close-up of man with yellow or jandice in the eyes

Close-up of man with yellow or jandice in the eyes (credit - MediaProduction)

Jaundice is a term used to describe the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It's caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin.

Jaundice

jaundice

If cancer starts in the liver it’s called primary liver cancer. If it starts somewhere else in the body and spreads to the liver, it’s called secondary liver cancer. Some types of liver cancer can be treated, but the treatment needed often depends on where the cancer is in the liver, how big it is, if it has spread and how healthy you are in general.


Microscopic photograph of liver cancer cells

Primary liver cancer is a rare but serious type of cancer that begins in the liver. It mostly affects older people.

Liver cancer

liver-cancer

Liver cirrhosis is scarring of the liver caused by long-term damage. It's the last stage of liver disease and generally can't be reversed. If it's caught early enough, it's possible to prevent cirrhosis from getting worse. 

Close-up of man with yellow eyes, jaundice

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver from long-term liver damage. Scar tissue replaces healthy tissue in the liver and prevents the liver from working properly.

Cirrhosis

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Liver disease is damage to the liver. This can be caused by infection, drinking too much alcohol and your genes. Liver disease progresses in stages. First the liver becomes inflamed and then it develops scar tissue. If this scarring involves a lot of the liver and stops it from working properly, you can develop cirrhosis, which leads to end stage liver disease.


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Information on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, including symptoms, who is affected and prevention, with links to other useful resources

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 

liver-disease

The mouth and lips can often develop changes, like sores, cuts, dryness and chaffing. These changes are often caused by factors like the weather, your diet and creams or make up you put on your face. Infections can also cause mouth and lip changes

Close up of young man smiling, focus on mouth and teeth

Close up of young man smiling, focus on mouth and teeth (credit - fizkes)

mouth-lip-health

Hair and skin conditions are those that affect the hair and skin. They include acne, eczema, fungal nail infections and alopecia. 


Goose bumps - human skin reaction on the cold stock photo

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Nausea is the feeling that you’re going to be sick. Nausea can be a symptom of an udnerlying medical condition, but it can also be caused by everyday factors, like strong emotions, something you've eaten or travel.


Woman feeling unwell and sitting indoors with a hot water bottle

Feeling Sick Nausea

nausea

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It can be a short-term (acute pancreatitis) or longer-term (chronic pancreatitis) condition. Symptoms include intense pain in your tummy that comes on suddenly, fever, nausea and vomiting. 


Man with hand on stomach, looking in pain

Man with hand on stomach, looking in pain (credit - Motortion)

Acute pancreatitis is a serious condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time.

Acute pancreatitis

pancreatitis

Rectal bleeding is also known as bleeding from the bottom. When it happens, you may see blood in your poo, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. It's often caused by common conditions, like piles, but it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition. 

Blood in toilet bowl, rectal bleeding (credit - Artfully79)

Rectal bleeding (bleeding from the bottom) is usually caused by a swollen blood vessel or a small tear around the anus.

Bleeding from the bottom

rectal-bleeding

Woman with hand on her tummy and looking in pain

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Digestion

Digestion

Abdominal pain

Anal problems

Bloating and flatulence

Coeliac disease

Constipation

Diarrhoea and vomiting

Food intolerance

Food poisoning

Gallbladder and bile duct problems

Gut infection

Gut problems

Healthy gut

Heartburn

Hepatitis

Hernia

Inflammatory bowel disease

Jaundice

Liver cancer

Liver cirrhosis and failure

Liver disease

Mouth and lip health

Nausea

Pancreatitis

Rectal bleeding

Stomach disorders

Digestion

Digestion

Abdominal pain

Anal problems

Bloating and flatulence

Coeliac disease

Constipation

Diarrhoea and vomiting

Food intolerance

Food poisoning

Gallbladder and bile duct problems

Gut infection

Gut problems

Healthy gut

Heartburn

Hepatitis

Hernia

Inflammatory bowel disease

Jaundice

Liver cancer

Liver cirrhosis and failure

Liver disease

Mouth and lip health

Nausea

Pancreatitis

Rectal bleeding

Stomach disorders

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