Leaky Gut Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment
Department of Gastrointestinal Science
4 Min Read
Mar 18, 2024
Gastroenterology studies the Gastrointestinal Tract. It includes everything from the mouth to the anus. Gastroenterology encompasses various conditions and illnesses, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Chronic Constipation. The scope of gastroenterology also includes issues related to eating disorders and obesity. In India, lifestyle changes and an increase in fast food consumption are increasing disorders like Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Manipal Hospitals, we have the best gastroenterology hospital in Pune. Our experts treat a comprehensive range of disorders affecting the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and digestive tract. We also help patients remove a part of their digestive system when needed.
Manipal Hospitals, Kharadi is the best gastroenterology hospital in Pune. Our experts include Gastroenterologists, Endoscopy specialists, and minimal invasive Surgeons to handle even the most complex cases.
We treat the entire range of Gastrointestinal Conditions, including Colitis, Gastritis, Bile Reflux, Cirrhosis, Acute Liver Failure, and Oesophageal Cancer. Our facilities include state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical technology, Robotic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Endoscopy, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, Colonoscopy, Small Bowel Enteroscopy, Endoscopic Ultrasonography and Pediatric Gastroenterology.
It is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed to detect gastrointestinal diseases. The procedure is performed using a specialized endoscope that projects sound waves of high frequency to produce detailed images of the digestive tract, lymph nodes, chest, liver, and pancreas. The procedure is largely diagnostic in nature and helps to detect…
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography or ERCP is a technique that combines the use of endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat certain problems of the biliary or pancreatic ductal systems.
OGD or Oesophago-gastro Duodenoscopy is a visual examination of the lining of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
Hydrogen Breath Test is usually performed to detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and also glucose / lactose malabsorption
Manometry is a test used to identify problems with movement and pressure in the oesophagus. Manometry measures the strength and muscle coordination of the oesophagus while swallowing.
Acute pancreatitis occurs due to a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. It may be mild or life threatening but usually subsides. Gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption are the main causes for acute pancreatitis and one experiences severe abdominal pain. Surgery may be needed if complications such as infection, cysts or bleeding occur. If gallstones…
Colonoscopy is, a procedure used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine/colon and rectum.
This diagnostic procedure is performed to take a closer look at the liver and spleen to identify any abnormalities. The procedure involves a radioactive dye or contrast material that is absorbed by the liver, spleen and bone marrow. A scan is then done to identify where the radioactive elements have collected, producing an image of dense radioactivity…
An organ in the abdomen that secretes hormones and enzymes that help digest food, release insulin, and control blood sugar levels. It sits next to the small intestine. The pancreas has two parts: the Exocrine (also called the acinar or digestive) and the Endocrine (also called the islet or hormone-producing). The exocrine part releases enzymes to help digest food. The endocrine part releases insulin into the bloodstream and glucagon into a muscle called the liver (which helps release glucose from storage). Some common conditions related to the pancreas include Pancreatitis, Diabetes Mellitus Type-1, Gallstones, Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis (a genetic condition), and Pancreatic Cancer.
An organ that performs several vital functions, including aiding digestion, regulating sugar in the blood, storing vitamins and minerals, helping fight infections, and more. Many different conditions can damage the liver. These include alcohol abuse/Alcoholic Liver Disease, Hepatitis B and C, Fatty Liver Disease, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Hemochromatosis, and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
A fist-sized organ that stores bile, produced by the liver, releases it into the small intestine to aid digestion. The gallbladder is present under the liver, near the middle of the upper abdomen. The common conditions include Gallbladder Disease (chronic inflammation), Gallstones, and Gallbladder Cancer. Get the finest treatment with the help of a team of experts at the best liver hospital in Pune.
A series of hollow organs that begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. It aids digestion, absorbs nutrients, eliminates waste and comprises:
Mouth
Oesophagus
Stomach
Small Intestine
Large Intestine (Colon)
Rectum
Anus
The common conditions include Halitosis, GERD, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and Celiac Disease.
The digestive system converts food into nutrients. It is a process that involves following steps.
Food enters the mouth as teeth chew it.
Food goes to the Oesophagus, where it passes through to the stomach.
Digestion begins in the stomach, and enzymes break down food into smaller particles.
The tiny particles then pass through the small intestine, where absorption occurs.
Finally, waste products exit the body via the anus or colon.
A chronic digestive disorder that causes frequent heartburn, acid regurgitation, and other symptoms include stomach pain, hoarseness or chronic cough, asthma, or recurring pneumonia.
Treatment includes lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, weight loss, medications to reduce acid secretion in the stomach, and surgery when medical therapy fails to control symptoms.
A condition in which the small intestine's first part, Duodenum, breaks down. It results in an open sore (hole) within this lining, which causes pain and bleeding. The symptoms are pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes extending to the back or shoulder blade, nausea and vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Treatment may include lifestyle changes such as avoiding certain foods or stopping smoking, medication, or surgery that removes part of the stomach or Duodenum.
A group of conditions affecting the digestive system but do not result from any underlying physical abnormalities. The symptoms can be similar to those of more severe conditions, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The treatment includes medication and lifestyle changes.
The sudden or gradual blood loss from the digestive tract, the most common symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding, are:
Rectal bleeding
Black or tarry stools
Vomiting blood and passing it in the stool
Pain in the abdomen or rectum
Fever
The treatment manages the bleeding causes.
The conditions that affect the pancreas and biliary tract often result in abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice.
Treatment for pancreaticobiliary diseases may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), also known as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, is a group of conditions that cause digestive tract inflammation. The symptoms include pain and cramping, diarrhoea, blood in the stool and weight loss. While there is no proven cure, treatments help manage symptoms.
A sudden loss of liver function resulting from viruses, toxins, and Disease. Symptoms include fever, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools. The most common treatment is replacing lost blood.
A condition that causes damage to the liver over time, often due to alcohol abuse. This condition can lead to liver failure, which is fatal if left untreated. It also results from obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Symptoms of chronic liver disease include jaundice, fatigue and weight loss.
A form of cancer in the liver may result from long-term exposure to toxins such as alcohol and acetaminophen. Liver malignancy often presents itself with jaundice, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weight loss.
Liver malignancy is treated with chemotherapy drugs or surgery to remove the tumour.
A type of cancer that affects the Gastrointestinal Tract and occurs in any part of the digestive system, including the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, Rectum, and Appendix. Gastrointestinal malignancies are often grouped based on where they occur in the body.
Gastrointestinal tumours can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and weight loss. Treatment for these cancers depends on location and how advanced they are. Some treatments include surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.
Manometry determines the pressure of muscle contractions. It diagnoses Gastrointestinal conditions, including Peptic Ulcer Disease, Gastroparesis, and Hiatal Hernia. Manometry involves measuring pressure in the stomach and Oesophagus with a tube or catheter-like instrument called a Manometer.
A colonoscopy uses a Colonoscope (thin, flexible tube) to examine the inside of the large intestine. A colonoscopy can diagnose gastrointestinal conditions such as Polyps, Diverticulitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Colonoscopy also detects cancers of the Colon and Rectum.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) diagnoses Gastrointestinal conditions. The procedure involves inserting an endoscope into the patient's Oesophagus, then through the stomach and Duodenum, and finally into the liver's bile ducts. The doctor can use this method to evaluate patients with suspected Gallstones, Pancreatitis, or other conditions affecting their Digestive Tract.
A Hydrogen Breath Test measures hydrogen gas in the breath produced by certain bacteria in the Gastrointestinal Tract. It can assess the presence of bacterial overgrowth, lactose intolerance, and other conditions.
OGD, or Oesophago-Gastro Duodenoscopy, involves inserting a tiny camera through the mouth and into the stomach and Duodenum. The camera will then provide images that can identify abnormalities in the digestive system.
Endoscopic Ultrasound produces images of the body's internal structures using sound waves. It helps to investigate the Gastrointestinal Tract.
EUS can help doctors determine whether there are abnormalities within these organs that may require further treatment or surgery. It allows for more accurate diagnosis of conditions such as Crohn's Disease, cancer, and other cancers affecting internal organs.
A Liver Scan is a noninvasive procedure that uses radioactive material to create an image of the liver and surrounding organs. Liver scans diagnose gastrointestinal conditions and diseases, such as Cirrhosis, Hepatitis, and cancer.
Gallbladder stones are small, hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder, a small organ near the liver. They can cause irritation and inflammation in the gallbladder, which results in pain. Depending on size and location, gallstone treatment needs surgery or medication.
Surgery involves removing the gallbladder entirely or partially through an incision below the rib cage. Suppose only part of the gallbladder needs to be removed (called a partial cholecystectomy). In that case, it may be possible to leave part of this organ behind to continue producing bile for digestion.
Appendix Surgery removes the Appendix. It typically occurs when there are complications from Appendicitis, an inflammation of the Appendix. The Appendix is a small tube-like structure connecting to the lower right abdomen's large intestine. Appendix surgery can happen via minimally invasive techniques or open surgery.
Rectal Prolapse Surgery corrects the condition in which the rectum (the lower part of the large intestine) protrudes out of the anus. Rectal prolapse may result from straining, childbirth or other factors.
The surgeon makes an incision around the anus and may remove any tissue that has prolapsed out of the anus, depending on its size. The surgeon creates a new muscle wall between the rectum and anal canal to prevent future problems with prolapse.
A Splenectomy removes the Spleen from the body. The Spleen is an organ that sits near the stomach and helps to filter blood.
This procedure treats infections and cancer and is a common surgery performed on children with Sickle Cell Disease or Thalassemia, two types of Anaemia.
Stapled Haemorrhoidectomy combines two different procedures in order to treat Haemorrhoids. The first part of the procedure involves applying small staples to the hemorrhoidal tissue to reduce swelling. In contrast, the second part of the procedure involves removing any remaining inflamed tissue.
A Sleeve Gastrectomy removes about 80% of the stomach and restricts the amount of food one can eat. It is a popular bariatric surgery.
The surgeon makes a vertical cut on the abdomen and removes a portion of the stomach, leaving only a tiny tube-like pouch about one-quarter of its original size.
The surgeon sews the remaining part of the stomach to create a food outlet to pass into the intestine, where nutrients absorb before being passed out as waste through the rectum.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is a weight loss surgery that involves creating a tiny pouch structure at the stomach's top and then rerouting the small intestine, ensuring food can bypass most of the stomach. The surgery allows people who are morbidly obese to eat smaller portions and feel complete.
One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass is a bariatric surgery that divides the stomach into two parts by connecting a small part of the stomach to the small intestine. This approach creates a smaller stomach pouch and allows food to bypass the rest of the digestive tract. One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass helps patients who are severely obese, have failed to lose weight with dieting and exercise programs, or have other conditions that require surgical intervention.
The Duodenal Switch involves removing most of the stomach, leaving a smaller pouch and connecting it to the small intestine's last part. The procedure treats people who are obese, have diabetes and high blood pressure and want a permanent weight loss solution.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (ESG) is a type of bariatric surgery that reduces the size of the stomach and limits how much food it can hold.
The surgeon makes three minor cuts in the abdomen and inserts a narrow tube (Endoscope) to see inside the body.
Manipal Hospitals is the best Gastroenterology hospital in Kharadi, Pune. Our facilities include:
Liver Treatments
Digestive Diseases Treatments
Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgeries
Robotic Gastrointestinal Surgeries
Bariatric Surgeries
Metabolic Surgeries
Revision and Reversal Procedures
Da Vinci Robot
Your first visit will allow your gastroenterologist to evaluate your symptoms. As part of that consultation, your gastroenterologist may request additional tests or procedures, such as blood tests, imaging studies, or endoscopic examinations for diagnosis or treatment.
A number of factors are responsible. Presently, stress, untimely food, outside food, adulteration of foods, alcohol, and smoking contributes to most of the issues. To get the finest treatment, arrive at the best liver hospital in Kharadi, Pune.
Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are two different forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn's Disease results in inflammation that can affect any site in the digestive tract, while Ulcerative Colitis is limited to the colon. They are both incurable but managed with medication or surgery.
Bariatric surgery is a term for several different operations designed to help people lose weight. A bariatric surgeon changes the digestive tract or stomach by making it smaller. It can hold less food, making the person feel full faster and eat less.
Gastric Bypass is a standard procedure. The doctor removes part of the stomach, shortening it to make room for food. The food then bypasses a section of the small intestine, reducing how much food one can eat at once.
Gastric Banding uses an adjustable band around the stomach's upper part, restricting how much food one can eat at one time by squeezing the top part of the stomach like a balloon.
Bile Reflux happens when bile from the gallbladder flows back to the stomach. It can cause pain, jaundice, nausea, and a bitter taste in the mouth.
Bile reflux results from Gallstones, which are small stones of cholesterol forming in the gallbladder.
The blockage prevents bile from being released into the intestines, where it aids in digestion. The bile then flows back to the liver, making it swell and press against nearby organs.
Other causes of bile reflux include:
When the Sphincter, the muscle that controls the flow of bile, does not function properly, it allows bile to flow back into the stomach.
Stress or anxiety
Excessive fatty foods or alcohol consumption
Obesity
Lack of exercise
Gastrointestinal conditions can cause a lot of discomfort and pain. The following steps prevent these conditions from becoming severe.
Ensure a balanced and healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains but cuts down on foods high in sugar and salt.
Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight which helps reduce the risk of many gastrointestinal conditions.
Quit smoking or drinking heavily, as these habits increase the risk of developing many Gastrointestinal Conditions.
Digestive conditions can be frustrating and worrying, and it reduces the quality of life. Manipal Hospitals stand for quick recovery through the least invasive, most appropriate, and advanced treatment available. Contact us to know more about digestive and liver problems and book an appointment with one of our gastrointestinal specialists today.