Digestive Disorders: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Flatulence, known as farting, is a medical term for releasing gas from the digestive system through the anus. It occurs when gas collects inside the digestive system; however, one should not worry because it is a normal process.

Flatulence is due to swallowed air, the breakdown of undigested foods, lactose intolerance, and malabsorption of certain foods. Some foods that increase gas include beans, cabbage, broccoli, raisins, lentil, prunes, apples, and foods that are high in fructose or sorbitol, such as fruit juices. These foods can take a long time to digest, leading to the unpleasant smell associated with flatulence.If this condition is in excess, it can be because of various pathological conditions, such as constipation, gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, GERD, peptic ulcers, etc.

About 99% of the volume of flatus is composed of non-smelly gases. These include oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. Volume range of normal flatus is around 476–1,491 mL per 24 hours. The normal range of flatus episodes is given as 8–20 per day.

Usually, this condition presents with increased frequency or excessive instances of passing gas, belching, foul-smelling gas production, abdominal bloating and/or abdominal pain or discomfort.

Medical help should be considered if you experience symptoms, such as severe cramps, fever, diarrhea, bloody stools, nausea, and vomiting and/or right-sided abdominal pain along with gas or flatulence.

Flatulence can be diagnosed in the following ways:

Diagnosis is made with the help of the patient's history and physical examination.

Most of the times tests are not required, but if required analysis of patients' breath and flatus (gas passed out of the rectum) tests are done. Other tests, such as colonoscopy, X-rays and/or CT scans are rarely performed; it depends on the case.

Flatulence can be managed in the following ways:

1. Most commonly antibiotic treatment, increased dietary fiber intake, and probiotics in the diet are advised. In other conditions, such as IBS and Crohn’s disease, additional medications are given. Also, over-the-counter (OTC) medications are given, which include compounds such as Beano (an OTC that contains sugar–digestive enzyme), antacids, and activated charcoal.
2. Excessive flatulence can be reduced or prevented by avoiding dairy products if an individual is the lactose intolerant, by modifying eating habits, and by avoiding carbohydrates which are difficult to digest (instead of those you can add potatoes, rice, and bananas in your diet as the substitutes).
3. Eat small meals frequently which help in digestion.
4. Chew food properly. Restrain activities which may increase the amount of air that you swallow.
5. Do exercise. It helps improve digestion and prevent flatulence.
6. Some foods which help reduce gas are ginger, raw honey (not for infants and children under the age of 1 year), yogurt, peppermint, water, cinnamon, flaxseed, pineapple, fennel, and juices made from kale, spinach, or cucumbers.

A digestive system that is healthy and functions smoothly ensures sound health of both body and mind. If the digestive system faces any kind of interference, the body will be in trouble too. The way the body benefits from regular exercising so does the digestive system as well as the digestive process.

Keep on reading to understand the importance of exercise on digestion.

1. Boosts the Blood Circulation: Exercise is known to boost the blood flow in the body. Blood being responsible for absorbing various nutrients from the digested food and then distributing them throughout the body, proper blood flow becomes necessary for the digestive system to function smoothly. The better the blood flow, the more efficient will be the digestive process, preventing risks of developing heartburn, gas, constipation, stomach cramps, etc.
2. Increases the Metabolism: Exercise also helps in boosting metabolism. As a result, it makes the food move through the digestive system more quickly. The quicker the passage of the food, the lesser the load or work done by the digestive system. When the food fails to pass quickly, it ends up sitting and rotting in the gastrointestinal tract, causing acidity and other stomach discomforts.
3. Helps in Maintaining a Digestive Routine: Exercise also plays a crucial role in helping the body maintain a healthy digestive routine. Yes, it is through exercising that you can help your body to better utilize the nutrient-rich food that you are consuming. It is not only the fiber-rich foods or necessary water consumption, but also exercise that can help in establishing a routine for the body, such as regular bowel movement.
4. Makes the Muscles Strong: The role that regular exercising plays in strengthening the muscles around the intestines as well as the stomach say a lot about the relationship of exercise and smooth digestion. Just as the muscles of various parts of the body become strong, exercising strengthens the muscles involved with the digestion process. These muscles move the food through the intestines and stomach more easily and efficiently.
5. Keeps the Mind Relaxed and Stress-Free: Excessive stress can cause the esophagus muscles to go into sudden convulsion or contraction, letting the stomach acid and the gastric secretions go back up the food pipe and interrupt the digestive process. The more stressed one is, the more hampered will be the process of digesting and absorbing nutrients. It is undoubtedly through regular exercising that both the mind and body can stay relaxed, and free from troubles caused by stress.

Before opting for any exercise, it's important that you consult a doctor first. This is because sometimes you may not be aware of your physical condition. If there are any underlying health problems, they could worsen further by random, strenuous exercise.
 

Knowingly or unknowingly, people often end up consuming food items that affect their digestive health negatively, instead of providing health benefits. Yes, the majority of people think that they can digest any kind of food and won't suffer from any side effects at all. But in reality, based on the preparation, processing, and ingredients present in them, some foods end up triggering digestive problems.

Let's take a look at some such foods that can be bad for the digestive health.

1. Processed Foods: Processed or packed foods are high in carbohydrates, and can cause various digestive issues, such as bloating, cramping, gas formation, hypertension, and diabetes, when consumed in large amounts.
2. Alcohol: Technically speaking, alcohol may not be a food; but if you consume alcohol every time you eat, it can be counted as a food item. When the consumption of alcohol is moderate to high, it can cause acid reflux or heartburn, inflammation in the stomach lining, stomach cramps, and even diarrhea.
3. Artificial Sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners may work great for keeping your blood sugar in control but may affecctyour digestive system adversely. Artificial sweeteners contain ingredients that can increase the chance of bloating, gas, diarrhea, and inflammation.
4. Fried and Greasy Foods: Fried foods and greasy food are not only difficult to digest but they can also cause minor digestive problems, which later lead to intense stomach conditions such as acid reflux, heartburn, bloating, tummy upset, belching, etc.
5. Chocolates: Are you fond of eating chocolates? Having a sweet tooth can cost you your digestive health. From heartburn to an upset stomach, eating too many chocolates or candies can result in loose stools and diarrhea.
6. Foods Rich in Spice: Eating too much of spicy foods and those that contain chili peppers for a tangy flavor can often lead to heartburn and acidity. While you may enjoy eating something delicious with a tangy and spicy taste, the damage it may cause to your digestive health can be a cause forconcern.
7. Too Much of Caffeine: Drinking too much coffee or drinks with a high caffeine content cannot only irritate the stomach but also damage the smooth functioning of the digestive system. Heartburn, inflammation, constipation, and dehydration are some of the common digestive problems posed by coffee.
8. Raw Vegetables and Acidic Fruits: While consuming too many acidic fruits can cause acid reflux and stomach inflammation, eating raw vegetables leads to cramps, diarrhea, bloating and gas as they pass through the digestive system undigested.

For those who are concerned about their digestive health, consulting a doctor is recommended. In case you already have a stomach related ailment or disorder or have suffered from any in the past, a doctor can suggest and advice you and what are the best foods to incorporate in your diet.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Firstly, what you need to realise is that Alzheimer’s is not dementia and the main point you need to remember about the difference between the two is that the former is a disease while the latter is a syndrome. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease, it breaks down the cognitive functions of the brain and reduces a person’s ability to function properly. It’s one of the foremost reasons for untimely senility in middle-aged to old-aged persons.

It can be a scary time for the patient themselves as well as for friends and family alike but fear not, there are ways to reduce the chances of suffering from this painful predicament. Here are a few easy hacks to keep in mind to stave off the risk of Alzheimer’s:

1. Fix your diet: Cut down on saturated fats and construct a diet combining lots of healthy vitamin and mineral rich foods, fruits and vegetables. Vitamin E is essential as well as vitamin B12 which can also be taken in the form of supplements. Vitamin E can be found in foods like spinach and even nuts. Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago has, after a lot of research, developed the MIND and DASH diets. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet collates portions of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet to create the perfect combination that has been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 53 percent.
2. Exercise mental and physical: A sedentary lifestyle is one of the major causes of Alzheimer’s because it leads to slower brain activity and an overall unhealthy lifestyle. To break out of this you need to regularly exercise and not just physical exercises but also mental exercises such as solving mental maths and crosswords and reading books and newspapers. There are a lot of apps concerning games that help boost brain activity on the market that can help as well. Physical exercise can include swimming, brisk walking, joking and even gardening.
3. Reduce stress: Stress proves to be a huge issue for the brain contributing to its damage by putting a lot of pressure on it. Try to relax more by improving your sleep cycle, resting as and when required, and not overworking yourself.
4. Aromatherapy: Essential oils have been shown to work wonders, by reducing stress and relaxing the mind. Lavender, rosemary, lemon and even orange are some great options you can try out. These oils can help rejuvenate damaged brain and nerve cells.
5. Meditation: Studies have shown that regular meditation helps boost grey matter in the brain, and along with yoga, keeps the minds and bodies of middle-aged people active and better focused contributing to the overall health of the brain.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Your digestive organs together comprise one of the most important systems in your body. You have to be very careful about everything in your body as sometimes the most common digestive disorders, having the most common symptoms, can be seriously threatening as well. A number of different health issues can be related to problems with your digestive system, therefore you need to be very careful about your health and track any symptom which indicates a digestive disorder.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
According to various studies, around 10-15% of the population faces the problem of irritable bowel syndrome in their lives, with almost twice as many women than men. This usually happens when there is a change in the functioning of the GI tracts. Constipation and diarrhea both can be observable problems in people with an Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Abdominal pain, changes in the bowel habits, cramping and other discomforts can be symptoms of IBS.

Celiac Disease
One of the most common diseases which affect around 2 million people in the US alone is Celiac Disease. This disease manages to damage the small intestine and also intrudes in the process of absorbing nutrients from the food. People affected by this disease are usually intolerant of various food products like wheat and barley among other items. Seizures, fatigues, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain and more can be symptoms of celiac disease.

Crohn’s Disease

Gastroparesis
Women are more likely to get affected by gastroparesis than men as the process of emptying food from the stomach to the small intestine is slowed down and this is already a slow process in the case of women. Diabetes along with intestinal surgery and nervous system diseases are often the cause of this problem. Pain in the stomach, lack of appetite, bloating of the abdominal region are all symptoms of this disorder. This disorder can be a chronic disease in many cases and immediate diagnosis and treatment are suggested on observing the symptoms. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!