The main function of the digestive system is to break down food and liquids that are being ingested into small molecules that will subsequently be transported through the gastrointestinal tract to be absorbed by our body in order to deliver nutrients where required.
During this complex process some difficulties may occur, such as intestinal wall lesions, intolerances to specific products or compounds, heartburn, food regurgitation, reflux, heaviness in the stomach, strong stomach cramps and other symptoms. These and many other problems are being treated by Digestive Medicine.
Digestive medicine is the biggest part of Internal medicine, meaning that around 25% of all general medical consultations are related to digestive disorders and pathologies.
What are the main problems that are being treated by a digestive specialist?
This medical speciality is very ample as it treats all the pathologies that occur in the digestive tract and surrounding organs.
Reflux, dyspepsia and stomach ulcers, as well as pain and distention derived from digesting heavy foods are the main problems of the upper digestive tract.
Celiac disease, processes of incorrect food absorption, diarrhea that originates in the small intestine, Crohn´s disease – inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory colon diseases and colon cancer are amongst other pathologies that are being treated by digestive specialists.
We should also include all the pathologies that affect the pancreas, such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, liver and bile duct diseases, the presence of bile stones in the gallbladder and all types of hepatitis.
Main diagnostic methods of Digestive Medicine.
The main diagnostic method of digestive tract diseases is the digestive endoscopy. Besides that, gastroscopy or upper digestive endoscopy allows to examine the esophagus, the stomach and also some parts of the duodenum. This method also allows extraction of samples for biopsy, diagnostics and some very important treatments, such as the elimination of polyps and submucous dissections.
All these methods are a series of technologies that are constantly developing whereby the objective is to eliminate the pathologies of the digestive tract.
Another tool of digestive medicine is a colonoscopy or the endoscopy of the colon. This method allows to examine the entire colon, reaching the most profound and hidden areas of the small intestine. This technology is also constantly advancing, permitting digestive specialists to work inside the colon without an actual surgical intervention.
Stress, the detonator of digestive problems.
A great number of the above mentioned symptoms are frequently triggered by high levels of stress.
Concerns and preoccupations caused by daily problems along with the current economic and health situation caused by the pandemic crisis, are affecting our digestive system, creating discomfort, pain and other problems.
According to experts, during stressful situations our bodies release special nervous system stimulating substances. The digestive tract of a great number of people is quite sensitive to these substances, thus enabling the occurrence of different problems in the stomach and the intestines.
Unfortunately, this is often a vicious cycle – stress generates problems in the digestive system, which consequently very often cause stress in return.
If you are looking for the best Digestive Medicine center in Tenerife that counts with the most experienced digestive specialists, then you should choose Hospital San Juan de Dios in Tenerife, the associate of THIS. San Juan de Dios hospital offers hospitalization, ambulatory medical care (external consultations and a day hospital), 24-hour attention (digestive endoscopy) and complementary examinations.
Book your appointment here.
