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Home Health & Wellness Digestive Health Digestive Problems

Condition: Digestive Problems

Digestive Problems symptoms
& causes

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Medically reviewed by Dr Aamer Khan

24th January 2025

The condition

Digestive Health Matters

Stomach discomfort

What are digestive problems?

Digestive issues are when something goes wrong with how your stomach and intestines function. These include problems such as bloating, abdominal pain, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea or gas. Certain issues are benign, others can be serious and require medical attention.

Eating unhealthy foods, stress, or being sensitive to certain types of food are the most common causes of digestive problems. Other times, they can be connected to conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or ulcers. Lack of activity, some medications and infections also can worsen these problems.

Disregarding digestive disorders can cause serious health complications such as nutrient absorption complications or permanent damage to your digestive system. Most concerns can be remedied by dietary changes, improved habits or medical treatment.

Types of digestive problems

There are many different types of digestive problems that affect various parts of your digestive tract. Some common ones include:

Gallbladder and bile duct problems: Common problems include gallstones, cholecystitis, and cholangitis. Gallstones are solid deposits that obstruct bile flow. Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder, that’s most frequently caused by stones, and cholangitis (severe bile duct infection).
Rectal disorders: The rectal problems like anal fissures, hemorrhoids, proctitis, and rectal prolapse. Fissures are small tears near the anus, hemorrhoids are swollen veins, proctitis is inflammation of the rectum, and prolapse occurs when the rectum slips out of position.
Esophageal conditions: The esophagus is affected from strictures, achalasia and esophagitis. Strictures narrow it, so swallowing becomes difficult. Achalasia slows the passage of food, and esophagitis causes irritation or swelling.
Stomach disorders: Gastritis, ulcers and stomach cancer are stomach conditions. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, ulcers are sores that are often caused by H. pylori and cancer should be caught early for treatment.
Liver diseases: Liver problems encompass hepatitis, cirrhosis and failure. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and liver failure means the organ isn’t functioning properly.
Pancreatic problems: Pancreatitis and pseudocysts are common issues. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which can be caused by gallstones or alcohol, and pseudocysts are fluid-filled sacs created by injury or infection.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Celiac disease, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis impact the intestines, leading to abdominal pain and digestive problems. Other issues are malabsorption, polyps and reduced blood flow.
Gastroesophageal conditions: Stomach problems like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and hiatal hernias. GERD leads to acid reflux, ulcers are sores in the stomach, and hiatal hernias are when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm.

Symptoms
When to See a Doctor
Causes
Risk Factors
Complications
Prevention

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Condition: Digestive Problems

Contents

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The symptoms

Digestive issues may produce various symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to major problems. Some of the identifying signals are as follows:

Bloating
Abdominal pain
Indigestion
Heartburn
Constipation
Diarrhea
Increased belching or passing gas
Nausea and vomiting
Eating less or feeling full too quickly

When to see a doctor?

Know When To Act

How does it affect me?

We all have digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea and heartburn from time to time. The issues are often self-limiting or can be treated with over-the-counter medications.

But if your symptoms worsen or don’t go away, it’s worth consulting a doctor. Sometimes, you’re referred to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, who specializes in digestive health.

If you have any of the following, continuous abdominal pain or a long-term bloating; severe or prolonged heartburn; difficulties in swallowing like something stuck in your throat; continuous or vomiting and nausea; chronic diarrhea or constipation; more black blood in the stool; stools have foul smell; loss of appetite; involuntary weight loss; fatigue; severe high fever. These symptoms might indicate a potentially serious issue that a doctor should evaluate.

Advised treatments

Gut-health-test

Body Treatment

The causes

What leads to digestive problems?

Poor diet: Eating too much fat, sugar or processed food can result in problems like bloating, gas or constipation.
Stress: Stress in high level messes with your digestion, which could put you at risk for issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or heartburn.
Infections: Infections like bacterial, viral, or parasitic, can affect your stomach and lead to symptoms like diarrhea or abdominal cramps.
Food intolerances: When you consume particular foods, conditions such as lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity can lead to discomfort.
Medications: Certain medications, including antibiotics or pain relievers, can disrupt your digestive system and cause nausea or constipation.
Chronic conditions: Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or acid reflux (GERD) can also trigger persistent digestive issues.
Low fiber intake: Not consuming enough fiber can slow down intestines and lead to constipation.
Dehydration: Lack of hydration can also interfere with digestion, resulting in bloating or constipation.

The risk factors

What puts you at risk for digestive diseases?

Certain things might increase your chances of having digestive problems:

Obesity and smoking can aggravate digestive diseases, leading to diseases like GERD, IBS and colon cancer.
Because poor diet and other more common gastrointestinal GI tract issues can cause constipation, dietary restrictions could also play a role. Adequate hydration aids bowel movements.
Chronic illnesses, antidepressants and stress are risk factors too, so it’s smart to get tested for digestive problems if any of those apply.

The complications

Prevent Serious Risks

Can it lead to serious health problems?

Chronic digestive issues can cause dangerous consequences such as persistent abdominal pain, nutrient deficiencies, and dehydration if left untreated.

Inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease can hinder the body’s absorption of nutrients, which results in weight loss and weakness. Severe diarrhea or vomiting can also lead to dehydration, which can lead to digestive and kidney diseases.

Additionally, some severe cases can lead to serious conditions, including ulcers, internal bleeding, and even colon cancer. Chronic issues, such as liver disease or pancreatitis, can cause lasting organ damage. These complications can be averted by treating digestive issues early on.

The prevention

Healthy Eating Heals

How does a balanced diet help in preventing digestive issues?

Eating a healthy diet with lots of fiber, fruits and vegetables makes your digestion run smoothly. Fiber helps food travel through your digestive system and prevents constipation. Regularly consuming whole foods can, additionally, decrease the risk of developing troubles like acid reflux disorder or IBS.

Foods to avoid.

Steering clear of processed foods, excess sugar, and heavy or spicy foods can help to avoid bloating, indigestion and heartburn. Such foods may further irritate it and cause discomfort. Instead, focus on lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats that aid digestion.

Hydration Aids Digestion

Why is sufficient water intake beneficial for digestion?

Water plays key roles in digestion and nutrient absorption. It also helps keep stool soft, which can prevent constipation. Hydration keeps your digestive system functioning properly, preventing bloating and discomfort.

Amount of water to consume.

Help at least 8 glasses (2 liters) of water to drink if you’re active or it’s hot outside, you might need to drink more to stay hydrated and keep your digestion in good track.

Move For Better Digestion

How does regular exercise help prevent digestion?

Exercise helps your digestive system by helping things to stay in motion. It can decrease constipation and aid your gut in functioning more efficiently. Exercise is also a natural stress reliever, and stress can exacerbate digestion.

Types of exercise best for digestion.

Walking, jogging, swimming and yoga are excellent for digestion. These things stimulate your digestive system and relax the muscles in your gut, so it can allow your body to process food.

Calm Mind, Healthy Gut

How do digestion and stress relate to one another?

Stress can disrupt digestion by making your stomach secrete more acid, which can cause heartburn or cramps. It can also keep food from moving through your gut as quickly as it should, which is uncomfortable and can lead to other issues like IBS.

Stress management for a healthy gut.

Meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise and spending time to relax can help lower stress levels. Adopting relaxation techniques can help both your mind and your gut.