The relationship between you and your gut is an important one. Unfortunately, many Americans don’t always see eye to eye with their digestive system, as they often experience digestive disorders that can put a damper on their day. However, when a person has digestive difficulties, it can be challenging to talk about, so it often leaves them to suffer in silence. Having digestive issues can be painful and uncomfortable to deal with, so it usually negatively affects a person’s quality of life. Typically a person will hide their symptoms until they are “forced” to pay a visit to a health clinic or hospital. But the truth of the matter is that many of the common digestive problems a person can face often times can be controlled by making lifestyle changes or taking over-the-counter remedies.
Our gut plays a vital role in how we feel about ourselves. Unfortunately, there is a lot that can go “wrong” as having a gastrointestinal problem is a common occurrence among people. Even if most don’t want to talk about it. However, no one deserves to suffer in silence. If you are experiencing any of these common digestive problems, don’t delay in making an appointment with your doctor.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
While the causes of IBS are unknown, a patient with irritable bowel syndrome often experiences abdominal pain and discomfort that is associated with being constipated or having diarrhea or having a combination of the two. However, taking a bowel movement is often the way discomfort is relieved. Despite not knowing exactly what causes IBS, treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms and can even be managed by modifying a person’s diet and lifestyle.
Gastritis
Gastritis is when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed, causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, belching, burping, and a loss of appetite. While this condition has many causes and treatment methods can vary, many of the everyday aggressors for this condition can come from the foods you eat or drink. Avoiding alcohol, coffee, chili powder, spicy foods, fatty foods, and fried foods can help reduce the severity of symptoms.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
When a person is suffering from GERD, it means they often experience episodes of troublesome acid reflux and other uncomfortable symptoms. Symptoms can include coughing, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, and hoarseness of voice. While GERD is a highly uncomfortable condition, fortunately, it can be controlled by lifestyle changes and the use of antacids and anti-reflux medications.
Constipation
Constipation is defined as having hard, small pellet-like stools, straining while passing, and have a stool frequency of fewer than three times a week. While there are many causes of constipation, luckily, most patients do not have a disease that is causing constipation to happen. Instead, medications, painkillers, and their lifestyle choices are the typical culprits. Because of this, treatment methods will vary depending on the cause, but in many cases, this condition can be managed by modifying your diet and lifestyle.
Chronic Diarrhea
Defined as frequent loose stools that last more than four weeks, chronic diarrhea can be caused by IBS, infections, disease, food intolerances, painkillers, antibiotics, and other types of medication. Since there is an array of potential causes, if you are experiencing chronic diarrhea, it is vital that you see your doctor. Your doctor may perform stool and blood tests, or even a colonoscopy or gastroscopy to diagnose your condition. Once the cause is identified, then treatment becomes much easier, but knowing the cause ahead of time is key.
