Binge-eating disorder involves excessive eating without any compensatory behaviors, such as purging or exercise.

Approximately 3 percent of Americans eat to excess enough to qualify for a diagnosis of binge-eating disorder, which typically results in weight gain and obesity.

Prader-Willi syndrome, which is a genetic disorder characterized by overeating, involves a chromosomal defect on chromosome 15.

Prader-Willi syndrome appears to affect the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus controls feelings of hunger and satiation.

Chronic overeating can damage your endocrine system. Your endocrine system is involved in controlling your hormones and metabolism.

Children with Prader-Willi syndrome overeat and are generally obese. Other symptoms related to Prader-Willi syndrome include: feeding problems in early infancy, physical abnormalities, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and muscle weakness.

Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as spastic or nervous colon, involves reoccurring episodes of diarrhea and constipation. Other symptoms typically include bloating, excessive gas and abdominal pain.

Irritable bowel syndrome can be the result of having a serious infection. Irritable bowel syndrome can also result from taking antibiotics. Yet, in some cases, the true cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown.

Diet, in general, aggravates irritable bowel syndrome. In particular, processed foods, sugar, caffeine and artificial sweetener are big culprits.

Poor digestion predisposes your digestive system to bloating and irritable bowel syndrome. In particular, poor digestion of gluten (grain products) and lactose (milk products) can lead to irritable bowel syndrome.

If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, try eliminating suspected food culprits, such as gluten or diary, from your diet. Symptoms should dissipate within a week or two.

High fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils cannot be digested well. Try to avoid these products if you have irritable bowel syndrome.

Probiotics can help keep your bowel walls healthy and digestive enzymes can greatly help with efficient digestion of food. Consider taking both of these supplements to help alleviate the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

Your mental health is essential for your physical health. In fact, irritable bowel syndrome can be aggravated by high stress and anxiety levels.

The mucous membranes of the intestinal wall, when healthy, help you absorb food nutrients into the bloodstream and help protect you from food participles that should not be digested. Leaky gut syndrome occurs when these mucous membranes become permeable.

The liver in someone with leaky gut syndrome becomes overloaded with dealing with foreign food substances. The immune system is also working overtime trying to kill off these foreign substances.

The immune system identifies and attacks foreign food substances similar to how it reacts to allergens.

Antibiotics kills the good bacteria in your digestive system, which can lead to intestinal membrane inflammation and leaky gut syndrome.

Alcohol can lead to inflammation of the intestinal wall, which can further aggravate leaky gut syndrome. Therefore, it's important to avoid alcohol consumption.

If you have leaky gut syndrome, eat food that is high in insulin, such as bananas, onions, artichoke and garlic. Consumption of these foods can help with the growth of good bacteria, also known as bifidobacteria, in the intestines.