6 Digestive Problems That Could Be Making You Gain Weight

There is a good chance that during the holiday season you put on a few pounds thanks to the extravagant dinners, one too many drinks, and abundant sweets. But what if you find that you are putting on weight even when your diet is normal? Sounds like a nightmare right? In some cases, a problem in your digestion could result in weight gain.

Any of these common digestive issues could be the reason behind your mysterious weight gain.

1. Ulcers

Stomach ulcers or gastric ulcers are open sores that appear on the lining of the stomach. If the ulcer is found just beyond the stomach, on the intestines, it is known as duodenal ulcers. Stomach ulcers may often result in a burning sensation in the center of the abdomen.

Too much acid production is the reason for developing stomach ulcers. When the layer that protects the stomach lining from stomach acid breaks down, the stomach lining gets damaged. An infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria or taking certain medications for a long period, at high doses may be the reason behind an ulcer.¹ In order to ease the discomfort, you may resort to eating more which can cause you to gain weight.

Symptoms

• Heartburn
• Feeling sick
• Indigestion

The Fix

The treatment depends on what caused the ulcer. Doctors may recommend a medicine to reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces (anti-acid) or an antibiotic to kill the bacteria. Most stomach ulcers disappear with treatment in a month or two. If the underlying cause is addressed properly, the ulcer usually doesn’t come back.

2. Acid Reflux Disease

Acid Reflux Disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition that may cause a burning sensation in the lower chest due to the stomach acid rising into the esophagus.² Those suffering from this condition often feel better when there is food in their stomach to soak up excess acid, which is why they may end up gaining weight.

Symptoms

• Acid reflux (a sour taste in the mouth due to the stomach acid traveling back into the mouth).
• Bloating and belching
• An inflamed, sore esophagus
• Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
• Feeling or being sick

The Fix

Those who suffer from GERD often manage the pain temporarily by eating food because the saliva and the food cancel the acid. However, once the food is digested, the symptoms will return, often more aggressive than before.

Here are few things you can try at home to fix GERD:

• Eating smaller meals, more frequently in the day
• Avoid foods or drinks that trigger the symptoms
• Raise the head of your bed

If that doesn’t do the trick, your doctor would prescribe suitable medication. In extreme cases, where the symptoms are not reducing even after medication, your doctor may suggest a surgery to stop stomach acid leaking into your esophagus.

3.  Food Intolerance

Food tolerance is different from a food allergy because food allergy is a response from the immune system while a food tolerance is caused by the digestive system. If your body is easily irritated by certain foods, such as dairy, food intolerance may be the reason. Eating food that does not suit you creates inflammation in the body, which creates an environment that is just right for weight gain and chronic disease.

Symptoms

• Stomach pain
• Bloating, gas
• Diarrhoea
• Skin rashes and itching

The Fix

• Avoid foods that cause the issues. Check food labels to make sure.
• Reintroduce the food in small quantities until you figure out how much will bring on the symptoms.

4. Constipation

Another common, uncomfortable condition is constipation. This can give you a feeling of being weighed-down, similar to the feeling of gaining weight. However, just because you are backed up, it doesn’t mean that you are actually gaining weight. The extra pounds could just be the extra fecal matter in your system. As soon as you get rid of the constipation, you should feel lighter.³

It’s difficult to pinpoint why you are constipated. These factors, however, could contribute to your constipated state:

• Not having enough food with fiber in it like vegetables, fruits, and cereals.
• Change in your lifestyle, including a different diet
• Not passing stool when the urge arises
• Side effects of certain medications
• Not drinking enough water or other fluids
• Depression or anxiety

Symptoms

• Stomach ache and cramps
• Feeling bloated
• Feeling sick
• Loss of appetite

The Fix

• The most important things to consume if you have constipation are fiber and water. You should be having at least 25-30 grams of fiber and 1-2 liters of water a day.
• You must also exercise regularly.

5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-term condition that can cause bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea and/or constipation. The severity of the symptoms may vary, and the symptoms may last anywhere from a few days to a few months at a time. It tends to occur more frequently if you are stressed or if you eat certain foods.⁴

IBS affects much more women than men. Up to one in five people experience IBS and it usually first occurs when a person is between the ages of 20 and 39. Usually, the condition lasts a lifetime, although it may improve over the years. The weight that those who have IBS tend to put on is usually water weight. If you avoid certain food that triggers a bout of IBS, you could avoid the bloat, and thus the water weight associated with IBS.

Symptoms

• Stomach cramps
• Change in bowel habits – such as constipation, diarrhea, or even both
• Bloating
• Flatulence
• Experience an urgent need to go to the toilet
• Even after going to the toilet, feeling like you have not fully emptied your bowels
• Passing mucus from your bottom

The Fix

• You should get to the root of the problem to find a permanent fix. Your doctor can prescribe probiotics in order to build up the good bacteria you need.
• You may also need digestive enzymes which help break down food. This way, the food will be digested easily without it staying the gut and causing inflammation.

6. Bacteria Overgrowth

Did you know there are two kinds of bacteria in your bowel? There is the good kind and the bad kind in there. The good bacteria play a crucial role in your overall health by keeping your weight in check and by reducing inflammation. When there is an imbalance in the good and bad bacteria, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can occur which can cause weight gain.

As a result of SIBO, the bacteria could produce methane gas, which would slow down the small intestine’s functioning and make it absorb more calories per bite. SIBO can also slow down metabolism, affecting leptin and insulin resistance, which helps regulates hunger and satiety. That means that even after having a regular meal, you won’t feel full and you will crave carbs.

Symptoms

• Gas
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain or cramping

The Fix

Antibiotics kill off bacteria, so unless it is absolutely necessary, avoid it. If, however, you already have a case of bacteria overgrowth, your doctor may prescribe a digestive herbal supplement so that your bacteria balance is returned.

Having an unhealthy diet and lifestyle can not only cause weight gain but also digestive issues like IBS and constipation. These digestive issues are not only painful and uncomfortable but if left untreated could lead to serious complications.