Gastrointestinal diseases (GI)

All diseases that pertain to the gastrointestinal tract are labelled as digestive diseases, this include diseases of the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum the ileocecal complex and large intestine. Example of these diseases: gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, oesophagus cancer, stomach cancer, gastric ulcer disease, chronic constipation, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.

Symptoms: loss of weight, loss of appetite, night sweat, chest pain, hematemesis (vomiting blood), cough, dysphasia (unable to swallow), odynophagia (painful to swallow), bloatedness, heartburn, constipation or diarrhoea, blood per rectum.

Diagnosis & Treatment: see your doctor for a clinical examination and special investigations e.g. blood tests, abdominal sonar, gastroscopy and colonoscopy.