Tests for Digestive Disorders

There are several tests that doctors use to test for digestive disorders. In some cases, more than one test may be recommended to diagnose the digestive disorder or to rule out certain conditions.

Most of these digestive tests give the doctor a view of the digestive tract and aids in better, more reliable diagnosis of the digestive problem. Patients who are asked to undergo certain tests should ask their doctor about the procedure, why it is necessary and ask whether there are risks involved. The healthcare provider will answer the patient’s questions regarding the diagnostic procedures recommended.

Some of the common digestive disorders tests are discussed separately on this site. The following are some of the common diagnostic test done on patients with digestive disorders.

 Colonoscopy

 ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)

 Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

 Liver Biopsy

 Lower GI Series

 Upper Endoscopy

 Upper GI Series

 Virtual Colonoscopy

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Stomach Flu Mistaken as the Common Flu

Stomach flu can be mistaken as the common flu. Although they may have similarities in some of its signs and symptoms, these two conditions are entirely different from each other.

Stomach flu, also called viral gastroenteritis, is an infection that occurs in the intestine. This is a highly contagious digestive disease commonly caused by viruses. Stomach flu is often spread through eating or drinking contaminated food and beverages.

Viral gastroenteritis can cause symptoms such as fever and chills, diarrhea and vomiting.

The common flu, on the other hand, is a condition that affects the respiratory tract. The condition is commonly caused by a variety of viruses.

Symptoms of the common flu may include body or muscle aches, fever and chills, cough, headache and sore throat.

Both conditions can be serious in people in the extremes of ages. This means that people who are very old or very young are susceptible of having serious complications.

Learn more about Viral Gastroenteritis.

Source: Medical background provided by the National Library of Medicine

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What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem affecting millions of people around the world. People with lactose intolerance are unable to digest a type of sugar called lactose. Lactose is the main sugar found in milk and can be found in milk containing products such as ice cream and cakes.

People who are lactose intolerant are not able to produce an enzyme called lactase, which is essential for the digestion of lactose.

In lactose intolerant people, drinking milk and eating milk-containing products can cause them to feel sick to their stomach. In addition, it can cause gas problems, diarrhea and sometimes, swelling in the stomach.

To test for lactose intolerance, the doctor may perform blood, breath or stool test.

The condition is often not serious. Lactose intolerance can be managed with eating less food with lactose or using pills to help with the digestion.

Because milk is a major source of calcium, having lactose intolerance may cause lack of dietary calcium. The doctor may recommend calcium supplementation.

Learn more about Lactose Intolerance.

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