Coeliac Disease

This well known condition is where damage to the lining of the small intestine occurs due to a sensitivity to gluten (a protein component of wheat).

Can diet help?
Following a gluten free diet for life is essential for anyone diagnosed with this condition.

To book an appointment and start to make changes to your diet Search for a Dietitian in your area.

Diverticular Disease

Diverticular Disease is quite a common condition where pouches (known as diverticula) are formed in the bowel wall. Inflammation or diverticulitis  can occur at these pouches causing pain, fever, bloating and nausea or vomiting.

Can diet help?
Changing diet particularly in relation to how much fibre is eaten has been shown to greatly benefit people with Diverticular Disease.

To book an appointment and start to make changes to your diet,  Search for a Dietitian in your area.

Gallstones

Gallstones are deposits of solid matter (usually cholesterol and calcium salts) in the gallbladder causing pain, jaundice and fever.

Can diet help?
Our intake of fats in the foods we eat can sometimes affect whether gallstones form or not.

To book an appointment and start to make changes to your diet, Search for a Dietitian in your area.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

There are two main types of IBD. These are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Crohn’s Disease is where inflammation can occur in the bowel anywhere from the mouth to the anus

Ulcerative Colitis is where the inflammation occurs in the lining of the large intestine or rectum

Symptoms from IBD do vary person to person but can include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, bleeding or mucus from the bowel.

Can diet help?
Ensuring you are not becoming malnourished is essential for both conditions.  Altering some additional factors in diet like fibre can be beneficial for people with Crohn’s Disease.

To book an appointment to see a Dietitian, Search for a Dietitian in your area.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is very common in Australia. Some of the symptoms people with IBS show are:

  • abdominal pain
  • mucus in the stools
  • bloating
  • diarrhoea
  • constipation

Often you may get one or a combination of these symptoms and it is mainly due to a problem with the nerves or muscles to the bowel.  For some reason in people with IBS, the nerves are more sensitive and muscles leading to the bowel may not work correctly.  This can then cause any of those symptoms listed above.

What causes it?
There is no known cause of IBS. However, researchers have noted certain factors can trigger or exacerbate symptoms.  Some of these factors are what we eat, stress and anxiety, medications, an infection or illness and change in your daily routine.

Can diet help?
Nutrition can help many people with IBS. Specifically, some people also benefit from altering dietary factors like fibre and good bacteria and reducing “trigger foods” like high FODMAP foods.

To book an appointment and start to make changes to your diet,  Search for a Dietitian in your area.

Liver Disease

There are many health conditions that affect the liver like:

  • fatty liver where fat builds up in the liver causing the cells to enlarge and at times damage the liver
  • hepatitis or inflammation of the liver
  • cirrhosis of the liver where there is the scarring on the liver and also known as advanced liver damage

Can diet help?
Safe alcohol consumption and ensuring your are well nourished can all help manage such liver conditions.

To book an appointment and start to make changes to your diet, Search for a Dietitian in your area.

Reflux

Reflux is when the stomach’s acid moves back up into the oesophagus (that’s the tube where food goes down when we eat!) causing pain and discomfort.

Can diet help?
Changing your positioning when eating, avoiding certain foods and watching your meal timing can all help with reflux.

To book an appointment and start to make changes to your diet, Search for a Dietitian in your area.

Further Information

Gastro Net
This website has been written for the general community. It includes easy to understand information on the different digestive diseases.
www.gastro.net.au

The Coeliac Society of Australia
This website and membership of this organisation is essential for anyone who has been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease. They provide useful information on commonly available gluten free foods along with detailed information on this condition.
www.coeliacsociety.com.au

The Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA)
This website provides many fact sheets on gastrointestinal conditions including various liver problems, constipation and diarrhoea, Diverticular Disease, Coeliac Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and many more.
www.gesa.org.au

The Gut Foundation
The Gut Foundation is a non-profit organisation specialising in research and education on gastrointestinal conditions.  You can order leaflets and recipe books via their website.
www.gutfoundation.com.au