Most Common Digestive Problems
Digestive health is an important aspect of the overall well-being of the human body. However, it is also exposed to toxins and a number of pathogens on a daily basis. This is why digestive health problems are a common occurrence in the world today. Diarrhea and constipation are things of the norm, but now more chronic and severe diseases have taken center stage. Here we describe some of the common digestive system problems that are endemic in our society today.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Once unheard off, this disease is now very common in our society. If you have pain or discomfort in your abdomen for at least 3 times a month, chances are you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. The disorder is found to affect about 15% of the world’s population out of which 25-45 million people are resident of the US. As the name suggests, the signs of this disease are spread over an entire spectrum. Ranging from constipation one day to dry and hard, constipated stools the other. Bloating and abdominal discomfort are common features as well. The cause of this disorder is unknown, but the disease is treated by modifying the diet and including probiotics to minimize infections.
Constipation
Americans spend a staggering $ 725 million on laxatives every year. This highlights the severity of constipation in the society. Little do people realize that overuse of laxatives can have a reverse, negative effect on your GIT. Repeated stimulation can depress the activity of the git wall, making it non-responsive to the natural hormones and signals of the body. Constipation usually occurs due to diet disturbances. Many times it can be cured by altering the diet to include more fiber. Hydration and regular exercise with regular bowel movements are also necessary to prevent constipation.
Bloating
Every other person today has had suffered from bloating issues at some point in their life. Bloating is a disorder of the digestive system where there is too much gas in the ingesting. Naturally, about 8 liters of gas enters the intestine on a daily basis. This is something that the intestine can handle. However, whenever there is inflammation, excessive proliferation of pathogenic bacteria or problems of diet, the digestive health is compromised. Bloating can cause a significant amount of discomfort and can be the cause of embarrassment. Some common ways to treat it include probiotics, exercise and eating well before bedtime to allow the gut to digest the food thoroughly.
Reflux
You must have heard of reflux over the years. The disorder is one of the most common digestive health problems in the world. Part of the reason why it is so evident is its painful symptoms that don’t allow the patient any relief. Reflux is usually caused due to the weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter and can be exaggerated by sleeping immediately after eating. Normally, it takes about 3-4 hours for our food to transit from the stomach to the intestine. If you sleep in this time, the gut muscles relax and the chances of reflux are increased several folds. The initial symptoms are heartburn, a sour taste in the mouth and even actual fluid or food particles. The problem with this disorder is that chronic reflux can lead to ulcers and even cancer. Avoiding one problem is easy, but treating the consequences is much more difficult.
Digestive health is an important part of our life. Any disorder of the digestive system can have a major impact on your health and on your life. The fact is that fixing these conditions in the start can cure them and relieve the disorder. However, ignoring the problem and failing to address it can result in sinister consequences that can be extremely difficult to manage.
