Digestive ailments are very common in people nowadays. Changing food habits, dependency on fast foods, lack of exercise and rest are all increasingly adding to our digestive issues. People often don’t seek correct treatment because sometimes people are completely unaware of their conditions. Information is vital in restoring good health. Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms that people experience in case they have digestive problems. Most of the times, people can dismiss that as mere gastrointestinal distress. It is true in most cases but people really need to be sure as sometimes it can hint towards an underlying digestive condition as well. So, here is a list of most common digestive ailments that people need to be more aware of.
1. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
This is a very common digestive problem that people have and often don’t realize. The symptom of GERD is acid reflux in which the stomach acid is pushed into the esophagus. This can cause a burning sensation in the chest. According to doctors, this can often occur during night or after meals. Acid reflux is a common occurrence in people which is why people often dismiss it as nothing. Medical experts say that it is probably nothing if it happens once in a while. But if you are experiencing acid reflux twice or more in a week, then it could be due to GERD. Apart from acid reflux, constant heartburn, chest pain, bad breath, teeth erosion, nausea and difficulty in swallowing are some other symptoms of GERD.
Most people can find relief by avoiding the foods that give them acid reflux. Some people can also take over-the-counter medications to find relief from GERD. Oral medication like antacids can be quiet helpful too. But medical supervision is advised if symptoms are severe and debilitating.
2. Gallstones
Gallstones are mineral deposits in the gallbladder. Gallbladder is a small pouch that secretes and stores bile and it helps in the digestion. According to medical statistics, almost 25 million people in the United States have this problem and almost a quarter require treatment. There are two reasons behind the formation of gallstones. It happens when there is too much waste or cholesterol in the bile or when the gallbladder doesn’t clear itself up properly.
These stones can block the passage of the ducts that connect the gallbladder to the intestine. When this happens, people can experience a sharp pain in the abdominal region. Medications can dissolve these gallstones. But when it can’t, then surgery is done to remove the rest.
3. Celiac Disease
This is a disease that happens to people who are sensitive or allergic to gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in cereals like wheat, barley etc. According to the medical statistics, 1 out of every 133 individuals in the United States has this disease.
When people who have this disease consume anything with gluten, their bodies start attacking it. In this process, villi present in the intestines get damaged. Villi are finger like projections that are present in our intestines to help us absorb nutrients from food. Hence, adults with this condition can suffer from anemia, fatigue, depression and bone loss due to this. There is no known cure for this. So, avoiding gluten in the only thing people can do to combat it.
4. Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome
This is an umbrella term used to refer to many similar digestive conditions including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis etc. This condition generally affects the colon and other associated parts. The symptoms of this condition include excretory problems, blood in the stool, painful excretion etc. Medical supervision and medication can help provide relief in this case.
5. Hemorrhoids
Almost 75% of people over the age of 45 have hemorrhoids in the United States. Lack of fiber, chronic constipation, diarrhea etc. can cause this problem. The symptom of this condition is presence of blood in the stool. Hemorrhoids can be both itchy and painful. Topical creams can help provide some relief. Apart from that, surgeries can also be done to remove them completely.
Don’t neglect your health and seek medical supervision in case you have any of the above conditions. Healthy food, ample hydration, exercise and proper medical care can help us live a healthy life.
