What are the common disorders of the digestive system?

Common disorders of the digestive system include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Crohn's disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (oesophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your oesophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a sensation of a lump in your throat. GERD is often due to a weak lower oesophageal sphincter, the muscle ring that closes off the oesophagus from the stomach.

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach, upper small intestine or oesophagus. They are usually caused by an infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Symptoms often include a burning stomach pain, feeling of fullness, bloating, fatty food intolerance, heartburn, and nausea.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. It's characterised by symptoms like cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhoea or constipation, or both. The exact cause of IBS isn't known, but it's thought to be related to increased sensitivity of the gut and problems digesting food.

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease often spreads deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue, and can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. The exact cause of Crohn's disease remains unknown, but it's likely due to an abnormal response by the body's immune system.