Trust your gut From bad dietary habits to poor lifestyle choices, there are many factors which can contribute to digestive problems. Some can't be helped, such as stress or genes, but there are things you can do to fight digestive diseases D igestion works by moving food through the body's gastrointestinal (GI) tract. As food passes through the GI tract, it mixes with digestive juices, causing large molecules of food to break down into smaller molecules, which are then absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream and the rest of the body. Processing the wide range of foods that humans eat requires a system of exquisite control to avoid symptoms, and eating or drinking unwisely over the years can cause problems in the longer term. You should seek help if any of the following symptoms occur: * Difficulty swallowing * Increasing heartburn, indigestion or other stomach pain * Persistent vomiting * A sudden, persistent change in the pattern of how your bowels work * Bleeding from the back passage * Losing weight unexpectedly This is especially important if there is a family