Digestive Disorders

Digestive disorders cause difficult symptoms like acid reflux, bloating, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain and more. It’s critical to get the right diagnosis, expert treatment and support to help you manage your condition.

Types of Diseases

Digestive Disorders Facts and Stats

As many as one in five Americans suffer with some sort of digestive disorder, causing uncomfortable and serious symptoms.

Digestive disorders affect about 60 to 70 million Americans and cost nearly $98 billion in direct medical expenses.
Women are more likely than men to have certain digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and gallstones. Other digestive problems affect men and women equally but can cause unique problems in women, such as irregular menstruation, miscarriage or infertility.
Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, affects about 20 percent of adults. Left untreated, GERD can raise your risk of esophageal cancer.
Much rarer ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease affect just 1.4 million Americans, but these conditions are particularly serious and may eventually require surgery.

Patient Information

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Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

Getting Answers to Digestive Problems

When to Call the Doctor

Everyone suffers from indigestion at some point, but it's important to understand when it’s time to call the doctor.

Pinpoint Your Gastrointestinal Problems

Receive an accurate diagnosis from highly trained gastroenterologists using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools.

Treating Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Sutter Health network gastroenterologists offer a variety of treatments for diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Ask an Expert

Andrelyn C. Almario, N.P.

Sutter Medical Group

I've always been very regular, but now in menopause I'm constipated. I eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, drink a lot of water. I'm normal weight and I exercise. I eat prunes and take Benefiber, but I still have small movements with lots of gas.

Constipation is a condition (not a disease) where a person passes small amounts of hard, dry stool, usually fewer than three times a week. The person may also have a feeling of incomplete elimination of stool. ... continue reading about I've always been very regular, but now in menopause I'm constipated. I eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, drink a lot of water. I'm normal weight and I exercise. I eat prunes and take Benefiber, but I still have small movements with lots of gas.

Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.

Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease two years ago. I recently heard that more harmful bacteria are found in a person with Crohn's than those without this disease. If this is true, is there anything I can do to change the bacteria in my system?

Thank you very much for this question.The intestinal bacteria can play an important role in the development and progression of Crohn's disease. The intestinal microbial community performs a range of useful func... continue reading about I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease two years ago. I recently heard that more harmful bacteria are found in a person with Crohn's than those without this disease. If this is true, is there anything I can do to change the bacteria in my system?

Ask the Expert Team

Sutter Health

Thirteen years ago I had a total hysterectomy, when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Since the surgery I've noticed I have a lot of gas, which is rather embarrassing, especially in public. Is this a normal post-surgical side effect?

This is not a common side effect post pelvic surgery. It is more common with upper abdominal surgeries on the stomach, pancreas, and gallbladder where digestive secretions can be altered.Since it seemed related... continue reading about Thirteen years ago I had a total hysterectomy, when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Since the surgery I've noticed I have a lot of gas, which is rather embarrassing, especially in public. Is this a normal post-surgical side effect?

Frank L. Anderson, M.D.

Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods

I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?

That sounds like a product too good to be true and I would imagine persons suffering from celiac disease and lactose intolerance would be very receptive. Unfortunately these are two very different problems whic... continue reading about I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?

Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

How can I get enough calcium when I am lactose intolerant?

It is possible to get enough calcium in your diet without milk products, although it is more difficult. For absorption, calcium relies on other vitamins and minerals, so it is important to eat a balanced nutrit... continue reading about How can I get enough calcium when I am lactose intolerant?

Karen Pantazis, M.D.

Sutter Amador Hospital

I have severe bloating from taking pain medication. Is this normal?

I would need to know more about what symptoms are being described as "bloating". If it is referring to constipation or an expanding abdomen, yes - many pain medications, especially opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodo... continue reading about I have severe bloating from taking pain medication. Is this normal?

Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

I recently was diagnosed with Graves's disease. I also have gluten intolerance and have been eating some gluten foods. Do you think that my diet contributed to hyperthyroidism?

I do not think that your diet contributed to your condition of hyperthyroidism. There is no relation between the two conditions that I am aware of. Graves disease is an immune system disorder that results in th... continue reading about I recently was diagnosed with Graves's disease. I also have gluten intolerance and have been eating some gluten foods. Do you think that my diet contributed to hyperthyroidism?

Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?

Many women after a hysterectomy can still have "cycles" if their ovaries are in place. They will not bleed since the uterus is no longer present, but they can still have the usual bloating and other PMS symptom... continue reading about I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?

Michelle Smith, R.N.N.P.

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.

Welcome to life in your 40s! A lot of changes can and do happen. My first recommendation is to see a gastrointestinal doctor or nurse practitioner. Stomach aches and bloating often occur with irritable bowel sy... continue reading about Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.

Liver Diseases and Transplant Research

Hepatology researchers are investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hepatitis B, C and other liver diseases. Identifying early molecular or genetic changes - which may be detected before the disease manifests any clinical symptoms - could lead to interventions that reduce the severity of liver disease, or even prevent it from developing. Clinical researchers in the Liver Disease Management and Transplant Program are leading new investigations into hepatitis B and C disease management, hepatoma, hepatitis and HIV co-infection, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatorenal syndrome, and the care of liver transplant patients.

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Health and Wellness

Better Digestive Health

See our full library of articles and tips on how to live well with a digestive disorder.

Better Digestive Health

Experts Who Partner With You

Gastroenterology

The Sutter Health network provides gastrointestinal experts close to home who can help you successfully manage your symptoms. Learn about today’s treatment options for digestive disorders.