Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases

Digestive Diseases

A digestive disease is any health problem that occurs in the digestive tract. Conditions may range from mild to serious. Some common problems include:  Amylase: Enzyme produce in the pancreas and salivary glands that helps in the digestion of starches from the diet. Blood amylase levels may be increased in patients who have pancreatitis or salivary problems like Sjogren’s disease.  Amyloidosis: A group of diseases that results from the abnormal deposition of a protein called amyloid in tissues and organs. Bezoar: A clump of food or hair in the digestive tract. Bezoars can cause obstructions in the stomach that keep food from passing into the small intestine. Celiac disease resulting from the abnormal reaction by the body's immune system to gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley and other foods. In people who have celiac disease, the immune system causes damage to the small intestine and prevents the proper absorption of nutrients from food. Symptoms include diarrhea, anemia, and weight loss.