A–Z index of GI conditions

Bloating is that uncomfortable feeling of fullness or swelling in your abdomen. Everyone experiences it occasionally, but persistent bloating can be a sign of an underlying condition like IBS, SIBO, lactose intolerance, or celiac disease. The good news is that most causes are treatable.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where eating gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — triggers your immune system to attack the lining of your small intestine. This damages the tiny finger-like projections (villi) that absorb nutrients, leading to malnutrition, anemia, and a wide range of symptoms. About 1% of people worldwide have it, but it is often undiagnosed for years. The only treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet — but with that, the intestine heals and symptoms resolve.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. It usually starts as small, non-cancerous polyps that grow slowly over 10–15 years before becoming cancer. Regular screening (colonoscopy) can find and remove these polyps before they turn dangerous. Screening saves lives — it's that simple.

Colonoscopy is a 20–30 minute procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera is passed through the rectum to examine the entire large intestine. It's the gold standard for detecting and removing colon polyps before they turn into cancer, and for diagnosing causes of bleeding, chronic diarrhea, or anemia. You'll be sedated and comfortable throughout. The success of the test depends almost entirely on how well your colon is cleaned out beforehand — that's why preparation is so important.

Constipation means having fewer than three bowel movements per week, or stools that are hard, dry, and difficult to pass. It's one of the most common digestive complaints and is usually not serious — but chronic constipation can significantly affect your quality of life.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of your digestive tract from your mouth to your anus, though it most commonly affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. It causes inflammation that goes deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue, leading to pain, severe diarrhea, malnutrition, and other complications.

Diarrhea means passing loose or watery stools three or more times a day. Most cases are acute (lasting 1–2 days) and resolve on their own. But chronic diarrhea (lasting more than 4 weeks) needs medical evaluation. The biggest immediate risk is dehydration, especially in children and the elderly.

Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing — food or liquid takes extra effort or time to move from your mouth to your stomach. It can feel like food is stuck in your throat or chest. While occasional difficulty is usually nothing to worry about, persistent dysphagia needs evaluation as it may indicate an esophageal or neurological condition.

Fatty liver disease (NAFLD) means too much fat is stored in your liver cells. It's the most common liver condition worldwide. Most people have no symptoms, but over time it can progress to inflammation (NASH), scarring (fibrosis), and even cirrhosis. The good news: early-stage fatty liver is reversible with lifestyle changes.

Fiber is one of the most important nutrients for digestive health. It's the part of plant foods that your body can't digest — and that's exactly what makes it so valuable. It feeds your healthy gut bacteria, keeps bowel movements regular, helps control blood sugar, and even reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Gallstones are hard deposits that form in your gallbladder — a small organ under your liver that stores bile. They range from the size of a grain of sand to a golf ball. Many people have gallstones with no symptoms ("silent stones"), but when a stone blocks a bile duct, it causes sudden, intense pain called a gallbladder attack.

A gastric balloon (also called intragastric balloon) is a soft silicone balloon placed in the stomach during a 20-minute endoscopy and filled with sterile saline. It takes up space, makes you feel full faster, and helps you eat smaller portions — supporting weight loss of typically 10–20 kg over 6 months. It's a non-surgical, reversible option for people with a BMI between 27 and 40 who want a structured kick-start to weight loss alongside diet and lifestyle change. The balloon is removed (also by endoscopy) at 6 months.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral-shaped bacterium that infects the stomach lining of about half of the world's population — and is especially common in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. Most people have no symptoms, but in others it causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and a small but real increase in the risk of stomach cancer. The good news: it can almost always be cured with a 10–14 day course of antibiotics combined with acid-suppressing medication.

What you eat directly affects your digestive health. A balanced diet rich in fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics supports healthy gut bacteria and smooth digestion. On the other hand, processed foods, excess sugar, and low fiber intake can lead to constipation, bloating, and inflammation.

Heartburn is a burning feeling in your chest, behind the breastbone. It happens when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus (food pipe). Occasional heartburn is common, but frequent heartburn (more than twice a week) may be a sign of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus — similar to varicose veins. They're extremely common (about half of adults experience them by age 50). They can cause bleeding, itching, and discomfort, but are rarely dangerous. Most cases improve with simple lifestyle changes.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). About 5% of adults exposed develop chronic infection that can quietly damage the liver over decades, leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Most people have no symptoms in the early years — the only way to know is a blood test. There is a highly effective vaccine that prevents it, and modern medications can keep chronic infection well-controlled, although a complete cure for chronic HBV is not yet available.

Hepatitis C is a viral liver infection that, until recently, had no good treatment — but that changed completely. Today's direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications cure more than 95% of cases in a simple 8–12 week course of pills, with very few side effects. About 70% of people exposed develop chronic infection, often without symptoms for years, while quietly causing liver scarring. If you were born before 1990, had a blood transfusion before 1995, or have unexplained liver enzyme elevation — get tested. Cure is now within reach.

Managing inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) often requires medications to reduce inflammation, suppress the immune system, and control symptoms. There are several classes of medications used to treat IBD, ranging from aminosalicylates for mild disease to biologic therapies for moderate to severe cases. Finding the right medication regimen is key to achieving and maintaining remission.

IBS is a common condition that affects the large intestine. It causes cramping, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both). IBS doesn't damage the intestine or increase cancer risk, but it can be very uncomfortable. The good news: it's manageable with the right approach.

Lactose intolerance means your body can't fully digest lactose — the sugar found in milk and dairy products. This happens because you don't produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose. It's very common (especially in the Middle East) and is not the same as a milk allergy. It's not dangerous, but can be uncomfortable.

Nausea is that queasy, unsettled feeling in your stomach that makes you feel like you might vomit. It's not a disease itself but a symptom of many conditions. Most episodes are temporary and harmless, but persistent or severe nausea needs evaluation to find the underlying cause.

Obesity doesn't just affect your heart and joints — it has a major impact on your digestive system. Excess weight increases pressure on the abdomen, which can worsen acid reflux, contribute to fatty liver disease, increase the risk of gallstones, and raise your chances of developing colon cancer.

Stomach ulcers are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. They occur when the protective mucus layer is reduced, allowing digestive acids to eat away at the tissue. The two most common causes are H. pylori infection and long-term use of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen).

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon and rectum. It causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the innermost lining of the large intestine, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain. Unlike Crohn's disease, UC inflammation is limited to the colon and does not extend through all layers of the bowel wall.

An upper endoscopy (also called EGD or gastroscopy) is a 10–15 minute procedure where a thin, flexible camera is passed through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). It's used to investigate heartburn, swallowing problems, abdominal pain, anemia, or suspected ulcers — and it can take biopsies to test for H. pylori, celiac disease, or pre-cancerous changes (Barrett's esophagus). You'll be sedated through an IV and feel almost nothing.