Common digestive health problems

Some common problems of the digestive system include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Colitis - inflammation of the bowel /gut
• Diverticulitis - inflammation of pouches lining the small intestine
• Gastroenteritis - an infection that causes vomiting and diarrhoea
• Heartburn - when the contents of the stomach back up into the oesophagus
• Ulcer - a hole in the mucous membrane lining the stomach or duodenum.

The Gut Foundation produces a range of booklets dealing in detail with specific digestive problems. These and other support materials are available at www.gut.nsw.edu.au

For more information about the digestive system and how it works click here