On our previous blog, which is part 1 of this 2 part article series, we discussed briefly the role of our digestive system in our body and the benefits of having a healthy one. We learned that having the right balance of bacteria, good intestinal barrier, and immune components in the gut can strengthen our immune system, improve our mood and sleep, minimize weight problems, and help reduce the risk of developing more serious chronic conditions like certain cancers and autoimmune problems. We have also listed the first 5 out of the 10 most common digestive issues associated with having an unhealthy digestive system. (Be sure to click this link if you want to read part 1, if you haven’t read it yet.)
So in continuation, here we have listed the remaining 6 of the most common digestive issues.
Read on if you’re interested to find out if you are experiencing one of them and learn how you can improve your digestive health by implementing some simple changes in your diet and lifestyle.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Around 20% of citizens in the United States suffer from heartburn and acid reflux on a weekly basis. These people have gastroesophageal disease or GERD. This is caused by having a weak lower esophageal sphincter. This is the part that connects the stomach and the esophagus. When it’s weak, stomach acids get pushed back to the esophagus. If left untreated over time, this can cause serious damage.
This can actually be caused by two extremes, having too much or having too little stomach acid, the latter being the more common culprit. H Pylori as well as a hiatal hernia can also cause, so it is important to screen for these issues also. If the stomach acid is too low in supply, the stomach must work harder to digest food (especially protein rich ones like steak, other meats, eggs, etc.) and may make you more prone to digestive upset.
- Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) and Gastritis
Peptic Ulcer Disease are open sores that grow on the stomach lining and/or upper area of the small intestine. About 15 million people in the United States are affected by it, with no particular age range, as it could affect anybody.
Peptic Ulcer Disease and Gastritis are also similar, just like with Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease. Both conditions have the same symptoms, such as stomach pain, vomiting, and nausea, and similar causes which is a bacterial infection caused by H. pylori. NSAIDs like naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin can also cause ulcers and gastritis. Traditional doctors would often prescribe antacids and proton pump inhibitors to offer relief. Should the infection be severe, antibiotics can also be recommended. Thankfully changes in diet and targeted supplementation can often help people avoid the need for medications, which can cause other problems potentially.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pertains to the chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common kinds of inflammatory bowel disease— which affects about 1.5 million people in the United States. Crohn’s disease affects the end part of the small bowel and the opening of the colon. While ulcerative colitis affects the colon and the rectum. These are kinds of autoimmune diseases, meaning that a person’s immune system reacts abnormally to something.
IBD sufferers experience abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, irritation, swelling of the digestive tract, and diarrhea. Seek your doctor’s advice if you think you are experiencing IBD. You might be prescribed drugs that block response from your immune system, and surgery if all else fails but like the rest of this list, this can typically be addressed with changes to the diet, more fiber, and targeted supplementation which may include probiotics and demulcent herbs to soothe the lining.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is an entirely different ballgame compared to Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and they are often confused with each other. IBS occurs when the abdominal pain has happened at least three times in one month, for three months straight. It also happens alongside constipation and/or diarrhea. IBS is “milder” compared to IBD because unlike IBD, IBS doesn’t affect the digestive tract. It’s also a more common ailment, with 15 million people in the United States afflicted by it.
The cause of IBS is considered ‘unknown’ in allopathic medicine. However, in the integrative/holistic medicine sphere, we see correlations with food sensitivities, imbalanced microbiome and other issues.. Doctors usually advise to eat small, frequent meals and avoid trigger foods that have gluten, oily, caffeine, processed foods, and dairy. On the other hand, fiber, supplements, probiotics, and more can be used to offer relief from IBS.
What can you do to have a healthy digestive system?
1. Introduce fiber to your diet. Eating different vegetables, fruits, and whole grains on a daily basis promotes healthy bowel movements and transit time speed.
2. Avoid eating fast food and junk food. These foods contain preservatives and additives that can disrupt your GI tract.
3. Once you feel full, stop eating.
4. Have at least three servings of fresh fruits and vegetables (each) every day.
5. Introduce good bacteria to your gut by ingesting homemade yogurt. Store bought yogurts tend to contain a lot of sugar, or if unsweetened, have preservatives and often don’t have ideal probiotic counts still alive.
6. If you have a sweet tooth, try to substitute a piece of candy, or a small slice of cake with fresh fruit instead or 80 plus percent dark chocolate.
7. Any food and drinks that have “diet”, “sugar-free”, and “low-fat” should be avoided. The artificial sweeteners used in these can cause bloating or other problems. As for low-fat foods, they tend to not make people feel full, which in turn, ends up making them overeat.
8. WATER, WATER, WATER. Don’t just go for 8-10 glasses a day, but rather aim for half of your body weight in ounces. That means everyone will have a slightly different target number! You can even add a bit of salt and a squeeze of citrus fruits if you want some electrolytes.
What if you have done these changes and still haven’t seen an improvement?
If you feel like you have any of these issues, it is always the best option to seek your doctor’s advice. Early intervention can do wonders and usually only involves changing your diet or adding supplements to your routine. It will also help to contact a healthcare professional before self-medication.
With the pandemic happening, you can easily schedule a free consultation online so a doctor can help relieve you of your symptoms. All the help you need is one click away!
Consider consulting with a qualified holistic doctor. Schedule a Free 15-minute Discovery Call with Dr. Eric Wood, ND by clicking this link.