The following summaries aim to provide clear, concise, general information about each condition. Always consult with health care professionals for personalized medical advice and management of these conditions.
Alcohol-associated Liver Disease (ALD)
What is it?
Excessive alcohol consumption that leads to fat accumulation in the liver causing inflammation, scarring, and possible end-stage liver disease or cirrhosis
Symptoms:
Initially symptomless and may progress to abdominal pain, fatigue, swelling, confusion, yellowing of the eyes or skin
Treatment:
Alcohol cessation, dietary changes, supportive care, and in severe cases, liver transplant
Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH)
What is it?
The immune system attacking liver cells, leading to inflammation and liver damage
Symptoms:
Fatigue, abdominal discomfort, yellowing of the eyes or skin, itching, joint pain
Treatment:
Medications that suppress your immune system
Barrett’s Esophagus
What is it?
A disorder in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged by stomach acid which can cause precancerous cells to form
Symptoms:
Heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing
Treatment:
Acid-suppressing medications, endoscopic monitoring or eradication therapies
Screening:
Screening with an upper endoscopy should be performed in individuals with a history of five or more years of heartburn and three or more of the following risk factors:
- Male
- Age >50 years
- White
- Tobacco smoking
- Obesity
- Family history of Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer in an immediate family member
Celiac Disease
What is it?
An autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten consumption, damaging the lining of the small intestine
Symptoms:
Diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, rash, weight loss
Treatment:
Gluten-free diet, vitamin supplements
Cirrhosis of the Liver
What is it?
Advanced liver scarring due to long-term liver damage, often from conditions like hepatitis or alcohol abuse
Symptoms:
Fatigue, weakness, easy bruising, yellowing of the eyes or skin, jaundice, swelling in abdomen (ascites) and legs (edema), confusion, bright red blood in stool or black and tarry stool
Treatment:
Addressing underlying causes, preventive care, symptom management, and in severe cases, liver transplantation
Colon Polyps and Colon Cancer
What are they?
Colon polyps are abnormal growths in the lining of the colon that may develop into cancer over time
Symptoms:
Often symptomless, but may cause rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, iron deficiency anemia, unintentional weight loss
Treatment:
Removal of polyps during colonoscopy; cancer treatment varies and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
Constipation
What is it?
Constipation involves infrequent bowel movements leading to discomfort or difficulty passing stools
Symptoms:
Difficulty passing stools, abdominal discomfort, bloating, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation
Treatment:
Dietary changes, fiber supplementation, laxatives, addressing any underlying causes
Crohn's Disease
What is it?
An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causing inflammation anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), weight loss, fatigue, complications like abscesses, fistulas, or strictures
Treatment:
Medications (anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressants), dietary changes, surgery
Diarrhea
What is it?
Three or more loose or watery stools per day, often due to infections, medications, or digestive disorders. Diarrhea is considered chronic when it has been present for more than four weeks. Chronic diarrhea may be due to non-infectious causes and require specialty evaluation. Acute diarrhea (present for less than four weeks) typically resolves on its own.
Symptoms:
Increased frequency of bowel movements, urgency, abdominal cramps, dehydration
Treatment:
Oral hydration, medications to control symptoms, addressing underlying causes
Diverticular Disease
What is it?
Diverticulosis is the presence of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall. Complications include diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding. Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula become inflamed or infected.
Symptoms:
Diverticulosis is often symptomless but can cause abdominal pain (often left lower quadrant), fever, nausea, changes in bowel habits. Diverticular bleeding causes maroon-colored bowel movements which may be associated with weakness and lightheadedness.
Treatment:
Diverticulosis itself does not require treatment unless other complications occur, such as diverticulitis. Diverticulitis may require antibiotics, clear liquids, and in severe cases, surgery
Esophageal Cancer
What is it?
Cancer in the lining of the esophagus which can spread to other parts of the body
Symptoms:
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), chest pain, weight loss, chronic cough, hoarseness
Treatment:
Depends on stage; options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and palliative care for advanced cases
Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease
What are they?
Gallstones are hardened deposits in the gallbladder. Gallstone related diseases include inflammation (cholecystitis) or obstruction due to stones (choledocholithiasis).
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain (classically right upper quadrant), nausea, vomiting, jaundice (if bile duct is blocked).
Treatment:
Antibiotics, diet changes, medications to dissolve stones, endoscopic (ERCP) removal of stones from the bile duct, surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy)
Gas
What is it?
Gas in the digestive tract is normal but excessive gas or trapped gas can cause discomfort.
Symptoms:
Bloating, belching, flatulence, abdominal pain or cramps
Treatment:
Dietary adjustments to avoid gas-producing foods, over-the-counter medications (simethicone), lifestyle changes which may include avoiding chewing gum, carbonated beverages, and straws
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
What is it?
GERD occurs when stomach acid flows back up from the stomach into the esophagus
Symptoms:
Heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, cough, hoarseness
Treatment:
Lifestyle changes (weight management, diet, sleep positioning), medications (antacids, proton pump inhibitors), and in some cases, surgery
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Infection
What is it?
A bacterial infection of the stomach lining, predisposing carriers to peptic ulcers and increasing the risk of stomach cancer
Symptoms:
Often symptomless but may cause abdominal pain (typically just under the breastbone), nausea, bloating, and sometimes vomiting
Treatment:
Antibiotics and acid-reducing medications, post treatment testing to ensure eradication of H. pylori
Hemochromatosis
What is it?
A genetic disorder causing excessive absorption and storage of iron in the body, leading to organ damage
Symptoms:
Fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, and in advanced stages, liver cirrhosis or diabetes
Treatment:
Regular blood removal (phlebotomy) to reduce iron levels, dietary changes, management of complications
Hepatitis A, B, and C
What are they?
Viral infections affecting the liver, each transmitted differently; hepatitis A virus (HAV) through contaminated food or water, hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) through blood or body fluids
Symptoms:
Yellowing of the skin or eyes, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and in chronic cases (HBV and HCV), liver damage.
Treatment:
Hepatitis A often resolves on its own; HBV and HCV may require antiviral medications, monitoring, and lifestyle changes
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
What is it?
A functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both)
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, altered bowel habits
Treatment:
Dietary changes, stress management, medications (antispasmodics, laxatives)
Lactose Intolerance
What is it?
The inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products
Symptoms:
Bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gas after consuming dairy products
Treatment:
Avoiding foods containing lactose, lactase enzyme supplements
Liver Cancer
What is it?
Cancer in the liver
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain, swelling (ascites), jaundice, weight loss, symptoms related to liver failure
Treatment:
Surgery, liver transplant, ablation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, palliative care
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) formerly known as Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
What is it?
Excessive fat buildup in the liver associated with metabolic disorders (diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.) causing liver inflammation and damage
Risk Factors:
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome
Symptoms:
Often initially symptomless, may progress to fatigue, abdominal discomfort, liver-related complications
Diagnosis:
Liver function tests, fibrosis scan, imaging (ultrasound, MRI), liver biopsy
Treatment:
Weight loss, dietary changes (low fat, low sugar), exercise, management of underlying conditions such as diabetes, regular monitoring
Pancreatic Cancer
What is it?
Cancer of the pancreas
Risk Factors:
Smoking, family history, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, diabetes
Symptoms:
Often presents late with abdominal or back pain, weight loss, jaundice, digestive issues
Diagnosis:
Imaging tests (CT scan, MRI), biopsy, blood tests (CA 19-9)
Treatment:
Varies and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, palliative care
Pancreatitis
What is it?
Inflammation of the pancreas, which can be acute (sudden and short-term) or chronic (long-term).
Causes:
Gallstones, alcohol abuse, certain medications, infections, genetic factors
Symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and in severe cases, organ failure
Diagnosis:
Blood tests (amylase, lipase), imaging tests (CT scan, MRI), and sometimes endoscopic ultrasound
Treatment:
Varies and may include fasting, pain management, intravenous fluids, and addressing underlying triggers like gallstones or alcohol
Peptic Ulcer Disease
What is it?
Open sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine
Causes:
H. pylori infection, prolonged use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen), excessive alcohol consumption, smoking
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain (burning or gnawing), bloating, nausea, black bowel movements, and occasionally vomiting blood (sign of severe ulcer)
Diagnosis:
Endoscopy, breath or stool tests for H. pylori, imaging tests if complications are suspected
Treatment:
Antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori, medications to reduce stomach acid (proton pump inhibitors), and dietary changes, stress management
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)
What is it?
A chronic autoimmune condition in which the bile ducts in the liver become inflamed, leading to bile buildup and liver damage
Symptoms:
Fatigue, itching (pruritus), dry eyes and mouth, abdominal pain, and in advanced stages, jaundice and cirrhosis
Diagnosis:
Blood tests (liver function, antibodies) and sometimes liver biopsy
Treatment:
Medications (ursodeoxycholic acid) to improve bile flow, medications to manage symptoms, monitoring liver function and disease progression
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
What is it?
A rare autoimmune condition which causes inflammation, scarring, and narrowing of the bile ducts inside and outside the liver
Associated Conditions:
Often linked with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly ulcerative colitis
Symptoms:
Fatigue, itching, abdominal pain, jaundice, fever and in advanced stages, cirrhosis and liver failure
Diagnosis:
Liver function tests, imaging (MRCP, ERCP), and sometimes liver biopsy
Treatment:
Management of symptoms, medications to improve bile flow, monitoring for complications like bile duct cancer
Stomach Cancer
What is it?
Cancer in the cells lining the stomach. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer.
Risk Factors:
H. pylori infection, smoking, family history, obesity, certain dietary factors (e.g. smoked foods)
Symptoms:
Early stages may be symptomless, but may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss
Diagnosis:
Endoscopy with biopsy, imaging tests (CT scan, PET scan), and sometimes laparoscopy
Treatment:
Varies and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, palliative care
Ulcerative Colitis
What is it?
A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causing inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon and rectum
Symptoms:
Diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, urgency, fatigue, weight loss, fever, dehydration
Diagnosis:
Colonoscopy with biopsy, blood tests (CRP, ESR), stool tests, imaging (CT scan)
Treatment:
Medications that are anti-inflammatory and may suppress your immune system, dietary changes, managing flare-ups, and in some cases, surgery (colectomy)