Digestive Problems: Causes, Treatment & Help

Everyone has experienced difficulties with digestion in the course of his or her life. A feeling of pressure in the abdominal area and general malaise mix with diarrhea, constipation and nasty abdominal cramps, without knowing so exactly where the symptoms come from. Digestive problems can usually be managed very well by oneself, because in most cases their cause is quite harmless. However, if left untreated, digestive problems can definitely become a bigger problem.

What are digestive problems?

Digestive problems can fundamentally take two forms, one being constipation (constipation) or diarrhea (diarrhea). Digestive problems can manifest themselves fundamentally in two forms, one is constipation (constipation) or diarrhea (diarrhea). Indigestion usually refers to any irregularity in bowel movements. Regular bowel movements can be once a week to once a day, regular stool is in a mushy solid form and dark color. Liquid stools or stools that are too solid are not normal in most cases. However, this can be very individual. What is important is the deviation from the other stool behavior in connection with the well-being of the individual.

Causes

There are many causes of digestive problems. Most often, they are related to diet and exercise habits. Those who drink too little, eat a diet low in fiber and also exercise too little will certainly develop constipation. Diarrhea, on the other hand, usually results from bacterial or viral infections, such as ROTA virus, Noro virus or Norwalk virus, which spread very quickly and can be extremely aggressive. There are also a number of more harmless pathogens whose symptoms should nevertheless be taken seriously. Diarrhea can also be caused by psychological stress. There are a number of diseases that affect digestion. Liver diseases, for example, turn the stool clay-colored, and the urine, by the way, brown. Intestinal diseases, such as Ulcerative colitis or Ileitis terminalis (both commonly known as Crohn’s disease), cause violent diarrhea to the point of rupture of the intestinal wall, it is an emergency. Symptoms of poisoning can also cause violent diarrhea, such as food poisoning.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Celiac disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Poisoning
  • Food poisoning

Typical symptoms and signs

  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Stomach cramps

Diagnosis and course

The digestive problems themselves are not so much a disease as a symptom. So the diagnosis can usually be made by yourself. If you have to go to the toilet much more often or less often than usual and also complain of abdominal pain and/or malaise, you are certainly suffering from digestive problems. If the digestive problems are related to wrong eating habits, this is usually eliminated in a few days. If there is a serious illness behind it, this should always be treated. Self-diagnosis is not recommended here. In general, a doctor should care for and monitor altered digestion.

Complications

Usually, digestive problems are a temporary problem. Everyone is affected by them at one time or another. However, sometimes serious illnesses are responsible, which can lead to both acute and chronic digestive problems. Severe colic in the lower abdomen with nausea, vomiting, fever and chills may occur with gallstones, bile duct inflammation, appendicitis or pancreatitis. These are very serious complications that must be treated quickly. If there are severe abdominal cramps, bowel movements that last for days, and painful flatulence, there may be an intestinal obstruction. If left untreated, parts of the intestine would die, resulting in severe peritonitis, which is fatal. But even less severe digestive problems can have a serious background. Long-lasting gastrointestinal problems with alternating diarrhea and constipation, nausea, constant fatigue, blood on the stool and changes in the shape of the stool (pencil-like stools) may be due to colon cancer.With timely treatment, complete recovery is possible. Similar symptoms associated with painful pressure under the right costal arch may indicate severe liver damage such as cirrhosis. Often, there is also abdominal dropsy. But also food intolerances such as celiac disease with constant diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal pain can lead to failure to thrive and protracted illness due to malnutrition. Dangerous intestinal diseases also include the two autoimmune diseases ulcerative colitis and Krohn’s disease, which occur in episodes and severely affect life.

When should you see a doctor?

In any case, if digestive problems persist for more than three days or if severe symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted. Medical advice is especially needed for serious accompanying symptoms such as stool irregularities (e.g., tarry stools), a hard abdominal wall, or stabbing pain in the stomach area. If these complaints persist longer than usual despite general and medicinal measures, a doctor must clarify the cause. The same applies if the digestive problems are associated with weight loss or other illness. Then a doctor should diagnose the underlying condition and treat it if necessary to prevent further complications. Mild digestive problems should be medically clarified if they persist for more than two to three months or generally have a negative effect on general well-being. Acute digestive problems such as abdominal cramps or bloody vomiting should be treated by an emergency physician. Emergency medical services must also be called if there is dizziness, fever, or severe pain. With infants and young children, any digestive problems should be taken to a pediatrician immediately.

Treatment and therapy

Digestive problems can be treated quite well by oneself. Diarrhea can be treated with medication, and appropriate food, such as rice with grated apple, helps to stop diarrhea. Stubborn constipation can be solved by laxatives in small doses or under the guidance of a doctor, usually it helps to simply drink more and eat a diet rich in fiber. Exercise also has a positive effect on bowel behavior. If there is a disease behind it, it must be treated individually. An expert doctor will be able to provide information on this and know how to treat the digestive disorder according to the cause. Both diarrhea and constipation should not be taken lightly. While persistent constipation can lead to vomiting of stool and in the worst case can be fatal, diarrhea can also become an emergency if the body retains too little fluid and excretes all nutrients unused.

Outlook and pronosis

Digestive problems such as nausea, flatulence, bloating or heartburn usually occur after heavy, fatty meals. In these cases, a change in diet is usually required. A high-fiber, plant-based diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables quickly restores regular digestion in many sufferers. In some patients, however, healthy food also has the opposite effect. If, for example, an allergy or food intolerance is present, the allergenic food must be avoided at all costs, even if it can basically be classified as beneficial to health. Allergy tests are very reliable nowadays. Therefore, the chances of identifying the allergen are high. In the case of constipation, the doctor may prescribe a series of laxatives that solve the problem in the short term. In the long or medium term, however, frequent constipation requires a change in lifestyle and consumption habits. A diet rich in fiber and sufficient physical exercise are required. In the case of diarrhea, a number of medications are also available to normalize bowel movements in the short term. Behavioral adjustment is also required for stress-related digestive problems. Affected individuals should avoid situations that cause them a great deal of excitement or otherwise place psychological stress on them whenever possible. In addition, special training in how to deal with stressful situations can help. Relaxation techniques such as yoga or tai chi are also helpful.

Prevention

Preventively, as in treatment, you can make your diet high in fiber and generally healthy, and get plenty of exercise, for example, by playing sports or going for long walks. Swimming or cycling are also suitable for this purpose. A balanced psyche also has a positive effect. Regular colon cancer screening or general health checks can also do no harm. If you drink alcohol in moderation and not excessively, you can also largely rule out digestive problems caused by liver problems. Those who have a regular daily routine with regular, healthy meals usually need not worry much about digestive problems.

Here’s what you can do yourself

Digestive problems can make everyday life difficult and very stressful. However, there are some helpful methods that are practical in everyday life and can alleviate this symptom. To keep the body and its organs moving, adequate exercise is important. Instead of traveling short distances by car or bus, it is recommended to walk or get on a bicycle. At work, short fitness exercises can help keep digestion on track. It already helps to regularly stretch long in the office chair and stretch the ligaments. These exercises can be done at any time and keep the circulation going. In addition to sufficient exercise, it is important to drink enough fluids. Drinks with a high sugar content should be avoided. Water, tea and diluted fruit juices should therefore be preferred to cola, Fanta and the like. Diet also plays an important role in digestive problems. In the case of constipation, foods such as dried fruits, cabbage vegetables and a high-fiber diet with sufficient cereal products and legumes such as lentils and chickpeas are recommended. If digestive problems are manifested more by stools that are too runny, foods that make the stool thicker should be preferred. Rice, potatoes, carrots, mashed bananas or apples, and oatmeal are recommended.