Digestive disorders

Digestion problems can refer to a wide range of issues related to the digestive system, which can include the following:

Acid reflux: a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the food pipe (esophagus), causing heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.

Constipation: a condition in which bowel movements are infrequent or difficult to pass, causing abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort.

Diarrhea: a condition in which stool is loose and watery, which can be caused by infections, food intolerances, or other underlying medical conditions.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a common condition that affects the large intestine, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): a group of conditions that cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.

Food intolerances or allergies: some people may experience digestion problems due to an intolerance or allergy to certain foods, such as lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, or a sensitivity to gluten or other food allergens.

Improve your digestive system here

Gut problems can refer to a wide range of issues related to the digestive system, which can include the following:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a common condition that affects the large intestine, causing symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid or bile flows back into the food pipe (esophagus), causing symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, and chest pain.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): a group of conditions that cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.

Celiac disease: an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine, causing an inability to digest gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and weight loss.

Food intolerances or allergies: some people may experience gut problems due to an intolerance or allergy to certain foods, such as lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, or a sensitivity to gluten or other food allergens.

Many factors affect your gut health, like your family and genetic history and how your body is built. There are also factors you can control, like stress and diet. When your gut functions properly, there’s a good balance of bacteria helping your body process and get energy from the foods you eat, clear toxins, fight against disease, and boost your mood. You’re also free of symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, loose stools, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Here are 10 warning signs you may have an unhealthy gut.

You have an upset stomach. Frequent discomfort, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn could be signs that your gut is having a hard time processing food and eliminating waste.

You feel tired more often than not. People with chronic fatigue may have imbalances in the gut. One study found that almost half of people with fatigue also had IBS.

You have trouble sleeping in general. An unhealthy gut can cause insomnia or poor sleep, which leads to fatigue. The majority of your body’s serotonin, which affects mood and sleep, is produced in the gut. So, when there’s bacteria or inflammation in the gut, your sleep may be affected as well.

You are intolerant to some foods. Food intolerances may be caused by poor quality of bacteria in the gut. You may have a food intolerance if you struggle to digest certain foods. This can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.

You have extreme food cravings, especially sugar. Eating too much sugar can cause too much “bad” bacteria in the gut. High amounts of sugar, especially high-fructose corn syrup, are linked to inflammation in the body and puts you at risk for other diseases.

You have unintentional weight gain or loss. When your gut is imbalanced, your body may struggle to absorb nutrients, store fat, and regulate blood sugar. Weight loss or gain may be caused by bacteria overgrowth or lack of nutrients.

You have skin irritations. Some skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis may be related to gut issues.

You get migraines. There may be a link between headaches and gut health, especially if you experience nausea or vomiting with migraines. Studies suggest that people with frequent headaches are more likely to have gastrointestinal disorders too.

You have autoimmune problems. Some “bad” gut bacteria may trigger autoimmune conditions like thyroid issues, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes.

You have frequent mood changes. Gut problems and inflammation in the nervous system can lead to anxiety and depression.