Digestive system disease, refers to any  disease that affects the human digestive tract. Such disorders may affect the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), pancreas, liver, or biliary tract.

The 13 most common gastrointestinal conditions include:

• Celiac Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose Intolerance
• Chronic Diarrheoa
• Constipation
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Crohn’s Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Gallstones
• Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
• Liver Disease
• Diverticulitis

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

This term describes regurgitation of stomach acid into the oesophagus – this creates the heartburn common as the primary symptom. Lifestyle and dietary changes can be helpful. Sometimes in young infants and adults, treatment of GORD with proton pump inhibitors for short periods will be prescribed.

Peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers are lesions that occurs primarily in the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum (the upper segment of the small intestine). Until recently the factors responsible for peptic ulcers remained unclear. Evidence now indicates that infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the two major causes of peptic ulcer. Treatment to eradicate H.pylori includes antibiotic treatment combined commonly with proton pump inhibitors to suppress stomach acid production for a short period.