Common Problems in Digestion

A bad stomach is a reason enough to have a bad mood. Not only science says that but it is also validated by the experience of people who suffer from it. A mild problem in the stomach can drive you crazy for the day.

There is a gut-brain axis working in all of us. Physical and biochemical connections between gut and brain affect them both. The neurons in the gut are connected with the brain through the nervous system. Certain probiotics have been found to increase the production of neurotransmitters such as GABA to reduce anxiety. Gut microbes can produce chemicals that affect your brain. Your gut health can also affect inflammation in your body!

Therefore, focus on diet and digestive health is always there in any treatment you go through along with the medicine you take. Let us look at some common digestive problems that can interfere with our mood as well!

Gas

Some amount of gas in your digestive system is a part of the normal process of digestion. Our digestive system had been designed to get rid of excess gas by burping or through flatus.

But it is problematic when it is present in amounts more than that can be expelled and gets trapped and does not move well through the digestive system. It can lead to excessive attempts of burping or passing gas, bloating, or a feeling of fullness, an observable increase in the size of the abdomen.

Gas may be caused by swallowing air when you eat or drink something. It also forms in the large intestine when bacteria ferment on carbohydrates that are not digested in your small intestines such as some fiber, starches, and some sugars.

Heartburn

Heartburn is the burning sensation that occurs in the central chest or upper central abdomen. Discomfort in heartburn can rise in the chest and can radiate to the neck, throat, and angle of the arm.

Heartburn usually occurs due to the regurgitation of gastric acid into the esophagus. Heartburn is a common symptom of Gastro-oesophageal disease in which acid reflux leads to inflammation of the esophagus.

Risk factors for heartburn include the excessive formation of the acid in the stomach and structural problems that allow acid reflux into the esophagus.

Indigestion

When we get an upset stomach, it is known as indigestion or dyspepsia. It is a general discomfort present in the upper abdomen. It is not a disease in itself but may indicate an underlying disease. Indigestion itself can include a group of symptoms such as early fullness during a meal despite not eating much heavy food.  Uncomfortable fullness after a meal i.e. when fullness lasts longer than normal can also indicate indigestion.

One may feel mild to severe pain in your upper abdomen along with a sensation of heat and burning. Bloating can also be present in the same area between breast bone and navel as an uncomfortable sensation of tightness is there due to the build-up of gas.  One may also have a sensation of nausea and can have less frequent vomiting and belching.

Constipation

Constipation happens when bowel movements are infrequent or hard to pass. The stool is usually hard and dry but it may also be soft and infrequent. The passage of stool may also be painful. When constipated, a person may feel abdominal pain, bloating, and will have a feeling as if the bowel movement has not been passed completely.

The normal frequency of bowel movements in adults can vary from 3 per day to 3 per week. Babies can have 3 to 4 bowel movements per day. Young children may have 2 to 3 bowel movements per day.

Constipation can have many causes such as dietary choices with insufficient fiber and fluid intake, lack of exercise, side effects of some medicines, diseases such as hypothyroidism. Several diseases present at birth can also lead to constipation in children. Voluntary withholding of stools due to fear of pain or public restrooms or out of laziness can also lead to constipation.

Diarrhea

When a person has at least three loose liquid or watery stools per day, it is known as diarrhea. It may last for a few days and can lead to dehydration due to fluid loss.

Acute diarrhea mostly occurs due to viral infections such as viral gastroenteritis with rotavirus. This is especially common in children below five. Bacterial infections can lead to diarrhea in travelers.

Specific food and specific medicines in some people can cause diarrhea.

Chronic diarrhea is generally due to an underlying medical a condition affecting intestine such as Chron disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease, bile acid malabsorption.

Peptic Ulcers

A break in the inner lining of the stomach, the first part of the small intestine, or the lower part of the esophagus is known as peptic ulcer. An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer and ulcer in the first part of intestines are called a duodenal ulcer.

A peptic ulcer can create pain in the stomach with a burning sensation, feeling of fullness, bloating or belching, intolerance to fatty food, heartburn, and nausea. Many people with peptic ulcers may not have any symptoms.

When appropriate care is not taken at the right time, peptic ulcers can lead to vomiting or vomiting blood which may appear red or black in color. They can also cause black or tarry stools or dark blood in stools; troubled breathing, faintness, nausea, unexplained weight loss, and appetite changes.

Smoking, alcohol, spicy food, and untreated stress remain the risk factors for peptic ulcers. Helicobacter pylori bacteria that commonly reside in the mucus lining of the stomach may cause peptic ulcers along with regular use of conventional pain-killers and medications such as NSAIDs.

The Solution Lies Here!

·        Limiting intake of carbonated beverages, excessive fiber supplements, sugar substitutes can help in limiting digestive problems.

·        Everything is good in an adequate amount. Do not over-eat or skip food completely unless and until advised to do so by a doctor or a dietician such as in a condition of IBS. Proper nutrition is essential to prevent conditions like diarrhea due to infection.

·        Change in eating habits such as, eating and chewing slowly instead of just gulping food can help in reducing digestive problems.

The intake of fluid shall never be underestimated. Have lots of healthy fluid during the day including water. Follow the water bottle rule! In the situation of diarrhea, it becomes all the more important to take fluids to avoid dehydration.

·        Avoid your addictions such as tea, smoking, alcohol, coffee as they often become reasons for many digestive problems such as indigestion.

·        Do not be lazy at all. When you are doing a lot of work which involves constant sitting for long hours, you should be extra cautious to exercise as such a lifestyle often gives rise to digestive problems.

·        Avoid excessive intake of conventional anti-biotics, pain relievers, iron supplements; especially the over-the-counter ones can also be the reason for problems such as indigestion.

·        Take customized homeopathic treatment which can focus on the causation of disease, your past history and can deal with the totality of symptoms.

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