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Digestive Diseases - NIDDK
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this page" aria-label="Alternate languages" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="language-picker-opts"> <span class="language">English</span> </button> <ul id="language-picker-opts" role="menu" aria-hidden="true"> <li role="menuitem" class="current"><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases">English</a></li> <li role="menuitem"><a href="/health-information/informacion-de-la-salud/enfermedades-digestivas">Español</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="dk-main-container"> <article class="dk-content"> <h1 itemprop="name">Digestive Diseases</h1> <div class="landing-hero"> <div> <p>The digestive system made up of the gastrointestinal tract (GI), liver, pancreas, and gallbladder helps the body digest food. Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which your body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. </p> <p>Some digestive diseases and conditions are acute, lasting only a short time, while others are chronic, or long-lasting.</p> </div> <figure class="medium right" data-fixed> <img src="/-/media/Images/Health-Information/Diabetes/landing/digestive.png?h=300&iar=0&w=400&hash=5067507D994229B0FD280C61DD728EFE" alt="Digestive disease organ diagram" width="400" height="300" /> <figcaption> <a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works">Your Digestive System & How It Works</a> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="dk-flex-table"> <div class="dk-row"> <div class="dk-box border-thick" data-ajax-url=""> <h2>Featured Topics</h2> <div class="dk-box-content"> <div class="columns"> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome">Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/crohns-disease">Crohn's Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease">Celiac Disease</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/bowel-control-problems-fecal-incontinence">Bowel Control Problems (Fecal Incontinence)</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tract">Gas</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance">Lactose Intolerance</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea">Diarrhea</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/diverticulosis-diverticulitis">Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults">Acid Reflux (GER & GERD)</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="#topics" class="dk-cta">More Digestive Disease Topics</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dk-flex-table"> <div class="dk-row"> <div class="dk-box dk-half border-thick" data-ajax-url=""> <h2>Infants & Children</h2> <div class="dk-box-content"> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-infants">Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Infants</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-children">Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Children</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/chronic-diarrhea-children">Chronic Diarrhea in Children</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation-children">Constipation in Children</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/hirschsprung-disease">Hirschsprung Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome-children">Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Children</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="dk-box dk-half border-thick" data-ajax-url=""> <h2>Diagnostic Tests</h2> <div class="dk-box-content"> <div class="columns"> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/professionals/clinical-tools-patient-management/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease-health-care-professionals">Celiac Disease Testing (for Health Care Professionals)</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/diagnostic-tests/colonoscopy">Colonoscopy</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/diagnostic-tests/endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography">ERCP</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/diagnostic-tests/flexible-sigmoidoscopy">Flexible Sigmoidoscopy</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/diagnostic-tests/lower-gi-series">Lower GI Series</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/diagnostic-tests/upper-gi-endoscopy">Upper GI Endoscopy</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/diagnostic-tests/upper-gi-series">Upper GI Series</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/diagnostic-tests/virtual-colonoscopy">Virtual Colonoscopy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dk-flex-table" id="topics"> <div class="dk-row"> <div class="dk-box border-thick accent-orange" data-ajax-url=""> <h2>Digestive Disease Topics</h2> <div class="dk-box-content"> <div class="columns"> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/abdominal-adhesions">Abdominal Adhesions</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults">Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Adults</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-infants">Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Infants</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/anatomic-problems-lower-gi-tract">Anatomic Problems of the Lower GI Tract</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/appendicitis">Appendicitis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/barretts-esophagus">Barrett's Esophagus</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/bowel-control-problems-fecal-incontinence">Bowel Control Problems (Fecal Incontinence)</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease">Celiac Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/colon-polyps">Colon Polyps</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation">Constipation</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/crohns-disease">Crohn's Disease</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/cyclic-vomiting-syndrome">Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea">Diarrhea</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/diverticulosis-diverticulitis">Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/dumping-syndrome">Dumping Syndrome</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency">Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/food-poisoning">Food Poisoning</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones">Gallstones</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tract">Gas</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastritis-gastropathy">Gastritis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastroparesis">Gastroparesis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastrointestinal-bleeding">GI Bleeding</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/hemorrhoids">Hemorrhoids</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/hirschsprung-disease">Hirschsprung Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/indigestion-dyspepsia">Indigestion (Dyspepsia)</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/inguinal-hernia">Inguinal Hernia</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/intestinal-pseudo-obstruction">Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome">Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance">Lactose Intolerance</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/liver-disease">Liver Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/microscopic-colitis">Microscopic Colitis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/ostomy-surgery-bowel">Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/pancreatitis">Pancreatitis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcers">Peptic Ulcers (Stomach Ulcers)</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/proctitis">Proctitis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/short-bowel-syndrome">Short Bowel Syndrome</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/ulcerative-colitis">Ulcerative Colitis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/viral-gastroenteritis">Viral Gastroenteritis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works">Your Digestive System & How It Works</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/digestive-diseases/zollinger-ellison-syndrome">Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dk-flex-table"> <div class="dk-row"> <div class="dk-box border-thick accent-blue" data-ajax-url=""> <h2>Statistics</h2> <div class="dk-box-content"> <img src="/-/media/Images/Health-Information/Landing/Statistics_400x220.png" alt="Graphic depicting a variety of notional charts" width="400" height="220" /> <p><a href="/health-information/health-statistics/digestive-diseases">Statistics for Digestive Diseases in the United States</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="dk-box border-thick accent-indigo" data-ajax-url=""> <h2>Healthy Moments Radio</h2> <div class="dk-box-content"> <p>Listen to health tips from Dr. Rodgers in his weekly 1-minute episodes.</p><ul class="media"> <li> <a href="/health-information/healthy-moments/episodes/preparing-doctors-visits-tips-older-adults">Preparing for Doctor’s Visits: Tips for Older Adults</a> <a href="/-/media/Files/Health-Information/Healthy-Moments/Audio/2024-Episodes/HM203-4_tipsdoctorvisit_en_ng.mp3" class="audio" title="Play audio" aria-label="Play audio"></a> </li> <li> <a href="/health-information/healthy-moments/episodes/keeping-active-in-retirement">Keeping Active in Retirement</a> <a href="/-/media/Files/Health-Information/Healthy-Moments/Audio/2024-Episodes/HM203-3_activeretirement_en_ng.mp3" class="audio" title="Play audio" aria-label="Play audio"></a> </li> <li> <a href="/health-information/healthy-moments/episodes/health-all-providing-communities-reliable-health-information">Health for All: Providing Communities With Reliable Health Information</a> <a href="/-/media/Files/Health-Information/Healthy-Moments/Audio/2024-Episodes/hm202-4_reliableinfo_en.mp3" class="audio" title="Play audio" aria-label="Play audio"></a> </li> <li> <a href="/health-information/healthy-moments/episodes/science-all-coordinating-minority-health-research">Science for All: Coordinating Minority Health Research</a> <a href="/-/media/Files/Health-Information/Healthy-Moments/Audio/2024-Episodes/hm202-3_minorityhealth_en.mp3" class="audio" title="Play audio" aria-label="Play audio"></a> </li> <li> <a href="/health-information/healthy-moments/episodes/world-hepatitis-day">World Hepatitis Day</a> <a href="/-/media/Files/Health-Information/Healthy-Moments/Audio/2024-Episodes/hm201-4_worldhepday_en.mp3" class="audio" title="Play audio" aria-label="Play audio"></a> </li> <li> <a href="/health-information/healthy-moments/episodes/coping-stress-healthy-way">Coping with Stress the Healthy Way?</a> <a href="/-/media/Files/Health-Information/Healthy-Moments/Audio/2024-Episodes/hm201-3_copingstress_en.mp3" class="audio" title="Play audio" aria-label="Play audio"></a> </li> </ul> <a href="/health-information/healthy-moments/episodes" class="dk-cta"> More Healthy Moments Radio </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dk-flex-table"> <div class="dk-row"> <div class="dk-box border-thick accent-green" data-ajax-url=""> <h2>Digestive Diseases for Health Professionals</h2> <div class="dk-box-content"> <ul class="column-wrap"> <li><a href="/health-information/professionals/clinical-tools-patient-management/digestive-diseases/dermatitis-herpetiformis">Dermatitis Herpetiformis</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/professionals/clinical-tools-patient-management/digestive-diseases/dental-enamel-defects-celiac-disease">Dental Enamel Defects & Celiac Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/health-information/professionals/clinical-tools-patient-management/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease-health-care-professionals">Celiac Disease Testing</a></li> </ul> <a href="/health-information/professionals/clinical-tools-patient-management/digestive-diseases" class="dk-cta">More Resources for Digestive Diseases Health Professionals</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dk-flex-table"> <div class="dk-row"> <div class="dk-box border-thick accent-orange" data-ajax-url=""> <h2>Clinical Trials</h2> <div class="dk-box-content"> <p> <a href="/health-information/clinical-trials"> <img alt="A variety of different people" src="/-/media/Images/Health-Information/Other-Child-Pages/Community-Outreach/clinical-trials-video_400x300.jpg" /> Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers explaining the importance of participating in clinical trials</a> </p> </div> </div> <div class="dk-box border-thick accent-blue" data-ajax-url=""> <h2>Research Discoveries & News</h2> <div class="dk-box-content"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/switching-vegan-or-ketogenic-diet-rapidly-impacts-immune-system" data-gtm="news-item">Switching to vegan or ketogenic diet rapidly impacts immune system</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news/archive/2023/complex-interplay-diet-gut-microbiome-influences-human-health" data-gtm="news-item">The Complex Interplay of Diet and the Gut Microbiome Influences Human Health</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news/archive/2023/uncovering-biological-links-between-stress-inflammatory-bowel-disease-flare-ups" data-gtm="news-item">Uncovering Biological Links Between Stress and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Flare-Ups</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news/archive/2023/expanded-study-diversity-uncovers-new-genetic-risk-factors-inflammatory-bowel-disease" data-gtm="news-item">Expanded Study Diversity Uncovers New Genetic Risk Factors for Inflammatory Bowel Disease</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news/archive/2023/link-between-cellular-stress-gut-inflammation" data-gtm="news-item">A Link Between Cellular Stress and Gut Inflammation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news/archive/2022/signals-between-nervous-system-intestinal-cells-control-protective-mucus-layer-production-gut" data-gtm="news-item">Signals between nervous system and intestinal cells control protective mucus layer production in gut</a> </li> </ul> <a href="/news" class="dk-cta">More Research News</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </main> <footer id="main-footer" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/GovernmentOrganization" itemid="https://www.niddk.nih.gov"> <meta itemprop="name" content="National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases"> <meta itemprop="alternateName" content="NIDDK"> <link itemprop="url" href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov"> <link itemprop="logo" href="/images/site-logo.png"> <link itemprop="sameAs" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institute_of_Diabetes_and_Digestive_and_Kidney_Diseases"> <span itemprop="address" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/PostalAddress"> <meta itemprop="name" content="NIDDK, NIH"> <meta itemprop="streetAddress" content="31 Center Drive, MSC 2560"> <meta itemprop="addressLocality" content="Bethesda"> <meta itemprop="addressRegion" content="MD"> <meta itemprop="addressCountry" content="US"> <meta itemprop="postalCode" content="20892-2560"> </span> <section id="contact"> <div class="grid"> <h2>Contact Us</h2> <div class="contact-flex v2"> <address itemprop="department" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/GovernmentOffice"> <meta itemprop="name" content="The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health Information Center" /> <link itemprop="url" href="/health-information" /> <link itemprop="image" href="/images/site-logo.png" /> <meta itemprop="telephone" content="+1-800-860-8747" /> <meta itemprop="openingHours" content="Mo-Fr 08:30-17:00" /> <meta itemprop="address" content="9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States" /> <div class="contact-time"> <i class="i-clock-o"></i> <span> <strong>Hours:</strong> <time datetime="08:30">8:30 a.m.</time> to <time datetime="17:00">5 p.m.</time> ET, Monday - 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