Hoe.do You Know When You Have Issues Digesting Food

Last updated on 1 February 2021

Digestive problems refer to any gastrointestinal disorders that occurs in the digestive tract, which is as well called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The first signs of a digestive tract issue commonly include haemorrhage, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea, and heartburn.

If y'all're experiencing abdominal hurting, nausea or bloating, it could either be a virus that will go abroad in time, or a sign of a gastrointestinal condition that may crave medical attention or a change in lifestyle habits.

Y'all should always consult your md to identify the exact cause of your symptoms, but hither are a few of the mutual culprits!

Gastritis

Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the breadbasket. It has many causes, but the almost common are infectious agents, peculiarly Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) similar Ponstan, and alcohol.

Some mutual symptoms of gastritis:

• abdominal pain (intermittent or abiding called-for, or gripping or gnawing hurting)
• nausea and vomiting
• loss of appetite
• bloating, burping and belching

Attempt to avoid common aggravating foods such as spicy, fatty and fried foods, chilli powder, alcohol and coffee as they may increase the severity of symptoms.

Treatment of gastritis depends on its crusade. For gastritis associated with of H. pylori, treatment involves a combination of antibiotics and acid suppressants, while gastritis due to aspirin, NSAIDs and alcohol may crave an acid suppressant. Where possible, the consumption of alcohol and the medication responsible for the gastritis should be stopped.

Peptic ulcer

Gastritis is often associated with peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, lower oesophagus, or commencement part of the minor intestine. They are normally formed as a result of inflammation caused by H. pylori, aspirin and NSAIDs.

Common symptoms of peptic ulcers

The almost common symptoms of a peptic ulcer are upper abdominal discomfort, abdominal hurting or bloating. You may besides discover loss of weight, loss of appetite, nausea, bloody or dark stools, and airsickness.

With proper handling, most peptic ulcers heal. Even so, if left untreated, they can worsen over time and lead to more serious wellness complications such as a perforated ulcer, a bleeding ulcer (which can cause significant claret loss) or scar tissue that may crusade strictures, making information technology difficult for food to laissez passer through your digestive tract.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where stomach contents move backwards or reflux from the tummy into the oesophagus. The oesophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the breadbasket.

Reflux is a normal process that may happen in people who accept no bothersome symptoms of acid reflux. In contrast, GERD is diagnosed in patients who have episodes of acid reflux that cause troublesome symptoms.

People with GERD may experience symptoms caused by acid irritating and dissentious the oesophagus or the dorsum of the throat. These include:

Symptoms of GERD

• heartburn
• breast pain
• regurgitation
• nausea or vomiting
• difficulty with or hurting when swallowing
• hoarseness of voice and sore pharynx
• cough

Acrid reflux occurs more oft in patients with GERD, compared to those who do not have symptoms of this disease.

It occurs more oftentimes if the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), a muscular valve at the lower end of the oesophagus, opens as well often or doesn't shut tightly enough to continue the stomach contents within. It happens when you overeat, or when there is too much pressure on your stomach, often due to obesity or pregnancy. Smoking, alcohol and caffeine may as well loosen the LES.

Fortunately, symptoms tin can generally be controlled through lifestyle changes. These include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption, eating less fat foods, and losing weight. In persistent cases, if antacids and anti-reflux medication don't work, surgery can be a last resort.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is part of a group of gastrointestinal disorders known as functional bowel disorders. It is a mutual problem affecting 10 – xx% of Singapore's population. Patients with IBS have abdominal discomfort or hurting that is associated with either diarrhoea or constipation, and the discomfort is commonly relieved after bowel movements.

Symptoms of IBS

The symptoms of IBS vary from person to person simply are ordinarily nowadays for a long time.

Mutual symptoms include:

• Pain, cramping, or bloating in the abdomen during bowel movements
• Changes in stool appearance
• Changes in frequency of bowel movements
• Persistent bloating
• Fatigue and difficulty sleeping

Diarrhoea in IBS ordinarily occurs during the solar day and after meals. Some IBS patients may accept constipation instead of diarrhoea and accept hard pellet-like stools. Some patients have a combination of both diarrhoea and constipation.

The cause of IBS is unknown. It is ofttimes triggered by an episode of gastrointestinal infection or food poisoning. The immune system in the gut is activated during the infection, and produces cells and proteins that increase the sensitivity of the nerves in the gut. The actress sensitive nerves cause the gut to sense normal amounts of gas and movements as bloating and hurting.

Stress and anxiety will exacerbate IBS symptoms. All the same, it is not known if anxiety on its own will cause IBS. Nutrient intolerances are often establish in IBS patients just food allergy is not idea to cause IBS.

There is no investigation which will definitively diagnose IBS. Doctors managing IBS patients will ofttimes start with a history of the abdominal symptoms and unproblematic blood and stool tests to rule out common disorders. Some doctors may also order more invasive tests, such as colonoscopy and CT scans, if they are thought to exist relevant.

Treatment of IBS is aimed at symptom relief and the majority of IBS patients will not require long-term medication. It is commonly managed by modifying the person'southward diet and lifestyle, fugitive foods and other events that trigger symptoms.

Common foods that may aggravate IBS include dairy products, fried foods, boxy sugars and beans. Some natural foods such as ginger, peppermint and chamomile may assist to reduce some IBS symptoms. If lifestyle modification is not sufficient, the dr. may prescribe medication to reduce loose stools, constipation and bloating, or to reduce sensitivity of the intestines.

Read the complete guide to managing IBS.

Chronic diarrhoea

Chronic diarrhoea is defined equally frequent loose stools that terminal for more 4 weeks.

Causes of chronic diarrhoea

The nigh mutual cause of chronic diarrhoea in Singapore is IBS. Some other common crusade is medicines including antibiotics, painkillers (eg. Ponstan) and diabetic medication (eg. metformin).

Near infections of the intestines cause diarrhoea that lasts for less than 4 weeks. Exceptions include tuberculosis, giardiasis, amoebiasis and tropical sprue, all of which may cause chronic diarrhoea.

In adults, food intolerance may sometimes cause chronic diarrhoea. Lactose intolerance is mutual in Asians and this can cause diarrhoea and bloating with dairy products. Alcohol and artificial sweeteners may also crusade diarrhoea in some patients.

Both non-abdominal and intestinal diseases tin can cause chronic diarrhoea.

Common non-abdominal diseases that cause diarrhoea include thyroid illness and diabetes.

Thyroid disease

Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid produces and releases more hormones than is needed. Thyroid hormones are used to regulate metabolism (the process that transforms the food that is consumed into energy), therefore too much of the hormones tin issue in symptoms related to high metabolism. In some people, an overactive thyroid causes the digestive system to speed upwardly resulting in diarrhoea and more frequent bowel movements.

Diabetes

Some people with diabetes may feel a complication called diabetic enteropathy. In this condition, nerves of the digestive system are damaged, which may lead to diarrhoea. Additionally, diarrhoea may likewise occur as a side effect of some diabetes medications.

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is the persistent inflammation of the pancreas. This can happen due to many causes simply the well-nigh common i is long-term booze abuse. Chronic pancreatitis results in lower levels of pancreatic enzymes and hormones in the body, making information technology harder for food digestion. 1 of the symptoms of the condition is diarrhoea.

Coeliac illness

Coeliac disease occurs when the body'southward immune organisation attacks its own tissues when gluten is consumed. This causes impairment to the intestinal lining, resulting in problems with nutrient absorption (malabsorption). Diarrhoea is the most mutual symptom of coeliac disease. Malabsorption can also lead to stools containing loftier levels of fat, causing an unpleasant smell.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel illness (IBD). In this condition, inflammation and ulcers are present in the lining of the colon and rectum. Bloody diarrhoea is a common symptom of ulcerative colitis. The severity of the symptom depends on the severity of inflammation and ulceration in the colon.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's illness is a type of inflammatory bowel illness causing inflammation and ulcers in any part of the digestive tract. This is a chronic condition where symptoms may develop gradually or of a sudden. There may too be periods where no symptoms are experienced. Symptoms of Crohn'south disease include diarrhoea, blood in stools and malnutrition.

If you have chronic diarrhoea, your md may perform blood tests, stool tests and if necessary, gastroscopy and colonoscopy, to diagnose your condition. Handling of the diarrhoea volition depend on the cause identified.

Constipation

If you accept a decreased stool frequency of less than iii times per week, hard or small pellet-similar stools, or feel the need to strain at stools when passing movement, you may have constipation.

Causes of constipation

There are many causes of constipation. The bulk of patients with chronic constipation practice non have a disease causing the constipation.

Mutual causes include:

• Not eating plenty fibre, such as fruit, vegetables and cereals
• Non drinking enough fluids
• Beingness inactive and not exercising
• Often ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
• A change in the nutrition or daily routine
• A side effect of medications
• Stress, anxiety or depression

Treatment for these patients involve changes in lifestyle, diet and fluid intake, and if necessary, medication.

Non-intestinal diseases associated with constipation include thyroid hormone insufficiency and diabetes. Patients with Parkinson's disease are also more than prone to constipation. Some medication including painkillers (eg. morphine) and anti-depressants (eg. amitriptyline) may cause constipation.

If you have constipation, your doctor may evaluate information technology using blood tests, stool tests, colonoscopy and where appropriate, measurement of anal muscle part.

Treatment for constipation will depend on the cause, and is usually managed past modifying diet and lifestyle, increasing physical action and fluid intake, and taking natural foods that may help in passing motion (eg. prunes). If lifestyle modification is not sufficient, laxatives may exist prescribed.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn'southward disease and ulcerative colitis)

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are collectively known as the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Patients with ulcerative colitis develop ulcers only in the large intestine. Patients with Crohn's disease develop ulcers in the gut, anywhere between the mouth and the anus. The most common parts of the gut affected past Crohn'south disease are the large intestine and the 2nd half of the small intestines.

Symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases

Symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloody stools, fever, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. In some patients, parts of the trunk other than the intestines (eg. skin, eyes, joints, or liver) may become inflamed.

Causes of inflammatory bowel diseases

Information technology is non known what causes IBD. It is idea that an ecology factor sets off the gut allowed system, which then runs out of command and causes inflammation and ulcers in the intestines of people with the right genetic predisposition.

There is no cure for IBD as it is a chronic disease. All the same, it can be controlled with handling, and patients with controlled disease can still lead normal lives. To diagnose this affliction, a serial of investigations, including blood tests, stool tests, colonoscopy and CT scans or MRI, will be performed.

If you experience whatsoever of the above digestive atmospheric condition and are concerned nigh your gut health, consult a gastroenterologist.

Commodity reviewed by Dr Ling Khoon Lin, gastroenterologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital

References

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Source: https://www.mountelizabeth.com.sg/healthplus/article/common-digestive-problems