How to Handle Gastrointestinal Problems?
Every person experiences gastrointestinal problems, commonly known as digestive disorders, once in a while, at some point in their life time. The common gastrointestinal problems are constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, gastroenteritis, colitis and irritable bowel disorders.
Diarrhea and constipation may exist without some underlying disease; in which case, they may have been result of stress, inadequate physical activities, change in routine, or medication with side effects.
On rare occasions, diarrhea and constipation signify more serious digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome. Though fiber is good for health, over eating fiber leads to diarrhea, on the other hand, eating less fiber leads to constipation.
Functional Disorders
When the digestive health looks normal but does not function properly, then a person is said to suffer from functional disorders. Often, the functional disorders affect the colon and rectum of which the symptoms are, irritable bowel syndrome including constipation.
The major causes of functional disorders are:
- Low fiber diet
- Inadequate Exercise and physical activities
- Sudden change in routine
- Travel
- Over consumption of dairy products
- Stress and depression
- Resisting bowel movement due to fear of pain in case of hemorrhoids or due to work schedule
- Overuse of laxatives
- Consuming antacid containing calcium and aluminum
- Medicines with side-effects
- Pregnancy
Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders
Patients suffering from upper gastrointestinal problems have heart burn, chronic and recurring abdominal pain.
The upper gastrointestinal disorders leads to symptoms like:
- heart burn
- chronic abdominal pain
- dyspepsia
- hiccups
- nausea
- rumination
Often, upper gastrointestinal problem could be psychological, related to stress with no physiological disease. The symptoms that suggest major problem in the patient are anorexia, anemia, bloody stools, fever, persistent nausea and vomiting and unexplained weight loss.
Treating Gastrointestinal Problems
Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders depends upon the diagnosis and severity of the disease. Prevention is better than cure is perfect sentence when it comes to gastrointestinal problems, since it can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and practicing good bowel habits.
Diets consisting more fresh fruits, vegetables and fiber, avoiding greasy and spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, combined with regular exercise helps to stimulate bowel activity. Smoking contributes to aggravating gastrointestinal tract; as it has overall bad effects on the health, it is better to avoid smoking.
Medicines like antacids and H2 blockers give instant relief to gastrointestinal problems, though they are not the permanent cure for the disease itself. Laxatives and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided to prevent irritation to the stomach. More aggressive and serious disorders can be treated by a course of antibiotics.
Though gastrointestinal problems can be treated successfully with healthy lifestyles, sometimes it is too late, where surgery is the only option left.
Laparoscopic surgery is the minimally invasive procedure which is done through a small keyhole incision in the abdomen. The person undergoing this type of surgery experiences less pain and scarring after surgery, in addition to rapid recovery.
Often people resort to homeopathic and herbal medicines, as these remedies are safe and gentle, also they do not leave behind harsh side effects on the body.
