110 Medical Terminology: Mastering the Basics Diseases and Disorders Diseases and disorders of the digestive system range from the mild to severe, and they have a wide variety of causes. We will now take a look at some problems that commonly affect the digestive system. Crohn’s Disease Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with clinical symptoms of bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. It is characterized by thickening and a gradual erosion of the inner lining of the intestinal wall (Figure 3.2). Ulcerations of the intestinal wall result in scar tissue formation, which can cause intestinal obstruction. Because the etiology (cause) is unknown, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease. Gastroesophageal Refl ux Disease Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus (Figure 3.3). The acidity of regurgitated food irritates the esophageal lining and may cause ulcerations in the lining. GERD produces heartburn after eating, dysphagia (condition of painful or difficult swallowing), and occasional hematemesis (vomiting of blood). Figure 3.2 A—Normal large intestine. B—Intestinal inflammation of Crohn’s disease. Transverse colon Ascending colon Cecum Appendix Rectum Anal canal Ileum Sigmoid colon Descending colon A B Transverse colon Stomach Ascending colon Crohn’s disease Rectum Ileum Small intestine Descending colon