Digestive Diseases and Conditions

Common Digestive Disorders

Below, we provide information on common digestive disorders that we treat at West Suburban Medical Center.

Bowel Obstruction

This is a condition that occurs when the small or large intestine becomes partially or entirely blocked. This can interfere with the normal process of digestion and cause severe abdominal pain.

Celiac Disease

This condition is an autoimmune disorder in which sufferers are not able to ingest gluten without damaging the small intestine. Overtime, this can lead to nutrients not being properly absorbed by the body.

Constipation

Medically, constipation is defined as fewer than three stools per week. Constipation includes abdominal pain, infrequent bowel movements, small stools, hard stools, and sometimes, rectal bleeding.

Chron’s Disease

This is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract. This condition can lead to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and malnutrition.

Diarrhea

This term describes bowel movements that are loose and watery. Diarrhea is common and not a very serious problem; it is often caused by an infection or virus.

Diverticulosis

Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that form in the lining of your digestive tract and are part of the large intestine. Diverticulosis occurs when the diverticula become inflamed.

Gallstones

Gallstones are a common medical problem. They are hard pieces of solid matter that form in the gallbladder and can cause steady pain in the upper abdomen.

Heartburn/GERD

GERD is also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease and can lead to heartburn. GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach.

Hemorrhoids

A hemorrhoid is a swollen and inflamed vein at the site of the anal canal. They are caused by pressure and are painful.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This disease is the ongoing inflammation of all or a portion of the digestive tract. IBD impacts the colon as well as the large intestine; many with Crohn’s disease suffer from this condition.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is an intestinal disorder that causes bloating, gas, stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea. This disorder commonly affects the large intestine.

Peptic Ulcer Disease

This condition refers to painful ulcers that line the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. The most common symptom associated with this condition is a burning sensation after meals.

Ulcerative Colitis

This condition is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the large intestine. The colon becomes inflamed and develops tiny ulcers, which causes great discomfort.

Digestive System Treatments

Getting the right treatment for a digestive disorder starts with identifying the problem. At West Suburban Medical Center, we stay up-to-date on digestive diseases and conditions — and share that information with the community.