Introduction Definition and Overview Constipation is defined as infrequent bowel movements, hard or painful stool passage, or a sensation of incomplete evacuation. It is commonly categorized by the World Health Organization as a functional gastrointestinal disorder when no organic cause is evident. The condition manifests as a reduction in stool frequency below three per week,…
Introduction Gallstones represent the most common lithogenic disorder affecting the biliary tract, with a lifetime prevalence ranging from 10 % to 15 % in Western populations. The condition arises from an imbalance between the solubilizing capacity of bile and the concentration of cholesterol, bilirubin, and phospholipids, leading to nucleation, growth, and aggregation of crystalline structures within the…
Introduction Hemorrhoids constitute a common anorectal disorder characterized by the distension and inflammation of the venous plexuses within the anal canal. They may present as internal or external lesions, with clinical manifestations ranging from painless bleeding to painful prolapse and thrombosis. The prevalence in the general population is estimated to be between 10 % and 25 %,…
Introduction Gallstone disease represents a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder, affecting an estimated 10–15 % of adults worldwide. The condition is characterized by the formation of calculi within the gallbladder or bile ducts, leading to a spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic biliary colic to acute pancreatitis and cholangitis. Historically, the first systematic descriptions of gallstones appear in…
Introduction Definition and Overview Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. The disease manifests as villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and intraepithelial lymphocytosis within the small intestinal mucosa. Diagnosis is typically confirmed by serologic markers (anti‑tissue transglutaminase IgA, endomysial IgA) and histopathologic…
Introduction Cel iac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathy precipitated by ingestion of gluten, a composite of prolamin and glutelin proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. The disease manifests as small‑bowel villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and intraepithelial lymphocytosis, leading to malabsorption, weight loss, and chronic fatigue. Over the past century, the recognition of celiac disease…
Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses a heterogeneous group of disorders primarily represented by Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both conditions are chronic, relapsing inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract, yet they differ in anatomical distribution, pathological features, immunologic pathways, and therapeutic approaches. Historically, the recognition of CD dates to 1932 when Burr recorded…
Introduction Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel habits, in the absence of identifiable organic pathology. The conditions of constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D), mixed (IBS-M), and unsubtyped (IBS-U) are distinguished primarily by stool frequency and form. Historically, IBS was first described in the early…
Introduction Gastro‑esophageal reflux disease (GERD) represents a prevalent functional disorder in which the gastro‑esophageal junction fails to maintain adequate barrier function, allowing gastric contents to regurgitate into the esophagus. The condition manifests through a spectrum of symptoms, most notably heartburn and regurgitation, and can progress to mucosal injury and complications such as esophagitis, strictures, and…