Everyone has had digestive problems in their lifetime. A feeling of pressure in the abdominal area and general malaise mix with diarrhea, constipation and nasty abdominal cramps, without knowing exactly where the symptoms are coming from. Digestive problems can usually be brought under control yourself, because the cause is usually quite harmless. If left untreated, indigestion can turn into a bigger problem.
What are digestive problems?
Digestive problems can basically manifest themselves in two forms, on the one hand in constipation (constipation) or in diarrhea (diarrhea). Digestive disorders are usually all irregularities in stool behavior.
Regular bowel movements can take place once a week to once a day; the stool is literally in a mushy, solid form and dark in color.
Liquid stool or stool that is too firm are not normal in most cases. However, this can be very individual. What is important is the deviation from other stool behavior in connection with the well-being of the individual.
causes
The causes of digestive problems are many. Mostly they are related to diet and exercise habits. If you don't drink enough, eat a low-fiber diet and don't exercise enough, you will definitely get constipation.
Diarrhea, on the other hand, usually results from bacterial or viral infections, such as the ROTA virus, the Noro or Norwalk virus, which spread very quickly and can express themselves extremely aggressively. There are also a number of more harmless pathogens whose symptoms should nevertheless be taken seriously.
The diarrhea can also be caused by psychological stress. There are a number of diseases that affect digestion. Liver disease, for example, stains the stool clay and the urine brown. Intestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or terminal ileus (both commonly known as Crohn's disease), cause severe diarrhea up to and including the intestinal wall, which is an emergency.
Symptoms of poisoning can also lead to severe diarrhea, for example food poisoning.
You can find your medication here
➔ Medication for diarrheaDiseases with this symptom
- Ulcerative colitis
- Celiac disease
- Crohn's disease
- Lactose intolerance
- poisoning
- Food poisoning
Typical symptoms & signs
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- constipation
- stomach pain
- Stomach cramps
Diagnosis & course
The digestive problems themselves are less of a disease than a symptom. You can usually make the diagnosis yourself.
Anyone who has to go to the toilet much more or less than usual and also complains of stomach pain and / or malaise is certainly suffering from digestive disorders.
If the digestive problems are related to incorrect eating habits, this can usually be eliminated in a few days. If there is a serious illness behind it, it should always be treated. A self-diagnosis is not recommended here. In general, a doctor should supervise and monitor an altered digestion.
Complications
As a rule, digestive problems are a temporary problem. Everyone is affected by it. However, serious illnesses are sometimes 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 infections, appendicitis or pancreatitis. These are very serious complications that need to be dealt with quickly. In the case of severe abdominal cramps, stool for days and painful flatulence, it can be an intestinal obstruction.
If left untreated, parts of the intestine would die, resulting in severe, fatal peritonitis. But less severe digestive problems can also have a serious background. Long-term gastrointestinal problems with alternating diarrhea and constipation, nausea, constant tiredness, blood on the stool and changes in the shape of the stool (pencil-like stools) may be caused by colon cancer.
With timely treatment, complete cure is possible. Similar symptoms, associated with painful pressure under the right costal arch, may indicate severe liver damage such as cirrhosis of the liver. Often there is also ascites.
But food intolerances such as celiac disease with constant diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal pain can also lead to failure to thrive and protracted illnesses due to malnutrition. Dangerous intestinal diseases also include the two autoimmune diseases ulcerative colitis and Krohn's disease, which progress in attacks and have a serious impact on life.
When should you go to the doctor?
If digestive problems persist for more than three days or if severe symptoms occur, a doctor should definitely be consulted. Medical advice is particularly important in the event of serious side effects such as irregular stool (e.g. tarry stool), a hard abdominal wall or sharp pain in the stomach area. If these symptoms persist longer than usual despite general and medicinal measures, a doctor must clarify the cause.
The same applies if the digestive problems are related to weight loss or other illnesses. Then a doctor should diagnose the underlying condition and treat it if necessary to prevent further complications. Slight digestive problems should be medically clarified if they persist for more than two to three months or if they generally have a negative effect on the general condition.
Acute digestive problems such as stomach cramps or bloody vomiting should be treated by an emergency doctor. An ambulance service must also be called in with dizziness, fever and severe pain. Infants and toddlers should always see a pediatrician immediately if they have digestive problems.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
Digestive problems can be treated fairly well on their own. Diarrhea can be treated with medication; appropriate food, such as rice with grated apples, helps to stop the diarrhea. Stubborn constipation can be resolved by using small doses of laxatives or with the advice of a doctor; it usually helps to simply drink more and eat high-fiber foods.
Movement also has a positive effect on stool behavior. If there is an illness behind it, this must be treated individually. A qualified doctor will be able to provide information on this and know how to treat the indigestion according to the cause. Both diarrhea and constipation should definitely not be taken lightly.
While stubborn constipation can lead to vomiting and in the worst case scenario can be fatal, diarrhea can also become an emergency if the body retains too little fluid and excretes all nutrients unused.
Prospect & Pronose
Digestive problems such as nausea, gas, bloating, or heartburn usually occur after heavy, fatty meals. In these cases, a change in diet is usually necessary. Fiber-rich, plant-based food with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables quickly restores regular digestion for many of those affected.
For some patients, however, healthy eating also has the opposite effect. If, for example, there is an allergy or a food intolerance, the allergenic food must be avoided at all costs, even if it is generally classified as health-promoting. Allergy tests are very reliable these days. The chances of identifying the allergen are therefore high.
If you are constipated, your doctor may prescribe a number of laxatives that will fix the problem in the short term. In the long or medium term, however, frequent constipation requires a change in lifestyle and consumption habits. A high-fiber diet and sufficient physical activity are required. There are also a number of medications available for diarrhea that can normalize bowel movements for a short time.
Behavioral adjustment is also necessary in the case of stress-related digestive problems. Those affected should avoid situations that are very upset or otherwise psychologically stressful for them whenever possible. In addition, special training courses in dealing with stressful situations can help. Relaxation techniques such as yoga or tai chi are also helpful.
You can find your medication here
➔ Medication for diarrheaprevention
Home remedies ↵ against digestive
problems
As a preventive measure, as in treatment, you can make your diet high in fiber and generally healthy, and you can exercise a lot, for example through sports or long walks. Swimming or cycling are also suitable for this. A balanced psyche is just as positive here.
Regular colon cancer screening or general health checks cannot hurt either. Those who drink alcohol in moderation and not excessively can also largely rule out digestive problems as a result of liver problems. If you have a regular everyday life with regular, healthy meals, you usually don't need to worry about digestive problems.
You can do that yourself
Digestive troubles can make everyday life difficult and very stressful. However, there are some helpful methods that are workable in everyday life that can alleviate this symptom. Adequate exercise is important to keep the body and its organs going. Instead of covering short distances by car or bus, it is advisable to walk or get on a bike. At work, short fitness exercises can help keep your digestion going. It already helps to stretch out and stretch the ligaments regularly in the office chair. These exercises can be performed at any time and keep the circulation going.
In addition to getting enough exercise, it's important to drink enough fluids. Highly sugary drinks should be avoided. Water, tea and diluted fruit juices should therefore be preferred to Cola, Fanta and Co.
Diet also plays an important role in digestive problems. For constipation, foods such as dried fruits, cabbage vegetables and a high-fiber diet with sufficient grain products and legumes such as lentils and chickpeas are recommended. If the digestive problems are more fluid stool, preference should be given to foods that make the stool thicker. Rice, potatoes, carrots, mashed bananas or apples and oatmeal are recommended.
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