Introduction
Digestive and nutritional disorders are experienced by all of us at some point in our lives. Many nutritional and digestive disorders can cause uneasiness and pain in the human body. One should know about the nutritional and digestive disorders that can cause pain and uneasiness. Besides knowing about disorders, you should also know about the right nutrition that can cure the particular disorder. If your nutrition is perfect, you can avoid many digestive disorders. Most digestive disorders happen due to eating food products that are not nutritious. Let us know about some nutritional and digestive disorders.
Common nutritional and digestive disorders
Some of the common nutritional and digestive disorders are given below:
• PEM
PEM (Protein Energy Malnutrition) is a condition due to the lack of energy. This is caused due to the deficiency of many micronutrients. It can be sudden or gradual. It can be classified as mild to moderately severe. Children who lack calories and protein are most affected in developing countries. It is more common among older generations in the developed world.
• Indigestion
It is one of the common nutritional and digestive disorders experienced by humans. When the food does not digest properly, humans feel like their stomach is full. Indigestion can be caused by overeating food or eating highly spicy food products. Inadequate secretion of digestive enzymes in the human body can also lead to indigestion.
• Constipation
In constipation, the faeces or waste materials are retained by the rectum instead of discharging it. Constipation can be caused due to eating food items that have less/no quantity of fibres. Abnormal bowel movements in human bodies can also cause constipation. Constipation is counted as nutrition and gastrointestinal disease.
• Vomiting
Vomiting is also one of the common nutritional and digestive disorders faced by humans. Vomiting is reverse peristalsis in which the stomach pushes out the contaminated food items. Our human body consists of a vomiting centre in the medulla oblongata that controls the reverse peristalsis process. Usually, you will have the feeling of nausea before vomiting occurs.
• Jaundice
Jaundice is caused due to de-functioning of the liver in the human body. The liver is responsible for breaking down haemoglobin in our bodies. An ineffective liver cannot displace accumulation of bilirubin present in the blood. Due to jaundice, the colour of the eyes and skin turns to pale yellow. Hepatitis infections can also result in jaundice in human bodies.
• Colitis
Colitis is also a nutrition and gastrointestinal disease where bacterial and parasitic infections compromise the intestinal tract. Due to infection, a lining of the colon is formed in the intestinal tract. Diarrhoea, bleeding in the rectum, and stomach cramps are the common symptoms of colitis. Doctors suggest good nutrition for gastrointestinal disorders. To avoid gastrointestinal disorders, eat food items rich in omega 3s and chain fats.
• Liver cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis is a type of chronic disease in which the liver cells are destroyed. Liver cirrhosis leads to the formation of fibrosis which is a pathological wound. Abnormal blood vessels are also observed in humans suffering from liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis can be caused due to consumption of poison, drinking alcohol, and malnutrition.
• Gallstones
When the composition of bile gets hampered, stones are created in the gallbladder. Formed of crystalised cholesterol, these stones are harmful to the human body. The gallstones become a hurdle for the cystic, hepato-pancreatic, and hepatic duct. Since many ducts are blocked by gallstones, the human body experiences pain. Jaundice and pancreatitis are also caused due to the formation of gallstones.
• Appendicitis
Appendicitis is one of the common nutritional and digestive disorders experienced by humans. The swelling of the vermiform appendix is usually called appendicitis. Intense abdominal pain is experienced in appendicitis. The appendix is removed via surgery from the human body. If the appendix surgery is delayed, the appendix may rupture causing abdominal infections.
• Diarrhoea
It is the most common nutrition and gastrointestinal disease in the world. When food and water consumed are contaminated by bacteria, diarrhoea occurs. In Diarrhoea, the intestinal lining is compromised by pathogens which depletes the fluid absorbing capability of the colon. Dehydration and abnormal bowel movement are the biggest symptoms of diarrhoea. Doctors often suggest drinking fluids to rehydrate the body during diarrhoea.
• Diaphragmatic hernia
In a diaphragmatic hernia, the upper part of the stomach traverses slightly above the diaphragm. The medical industry is still researching the exact reason for diaphragmatic hernia. In some cases, injury or continuous pressure on the stomach can cause a diaphragmatic hernia. In a diaphragmatic hernia, the food contents travel back to the oesophagus from the stomach causing severe pain. Chest burn is also a symptom of diaphragmatic hernia in humans.