If you experience bothersome gastrointestinal issues regularly, it’s important to see a doctor to get to the bottom of them. Gut health is complicated and nothing can replace the guidance a trained doctor can offer based on your individual health. That said, sometimes, the reason for your distress isn’t as sinister as you may think. As gastroenterologists share here, often, the reason for digestive issues is a simple healthy habit that’s being overlooked. ?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
The Most Overlooked Cause of Digestive Issues, According to a G.I. Doc
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“Often, we get busy, so we eat junk and forget to drink water,” she says, adding that not drinking enough water can lead to a range of digestive issues, including stomach upset, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea.
If you’ve been experiencing constipation or diarrhea, Dr. Fong says it can help to go back to basics for a few days. “Eat a bland-ish diet of ripe bananas, apples, rice, toast or potatoes. Drink plenty of water, and, if you hate water, try coconut water or something with electrolytes. Just doing it for one day will make a huge difference, and doing it for three days will reset your system,” she explains. Still not feeling better? That’s a sign it’s time to get an appointment with your healthcare provider on the books.
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Scientific research backs this up. According to a 2023 study published in Cell, researchers found that stress signals from the brain can travel to the gastrointestinal tract through the nervous system. They found that chronic stress literally changes the makeup of the gut and can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and intestinal inflammation.
“Chronic stress can contribute to bloating, abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, nausea and flare-ups of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. It can also make the gut more reactive, so normal digestion feels uncomfortable or painful,” Dr. Nahar says.
It bears repeating that getting to the root cause of digestive issues can be complicated. Dr. Nahar recommends meeting with a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. But addressing stress as part of your treatment can only help.
And don’t forget to stay hydrated too. Your digestive system needs water to function properly, just like the rest of your body.
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Sources:
Health Information Technology Use Among Adults: United States, July - December 2022. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionNew survey finds forty percent of Americans’ daily lives are disrupted by digestive troubles. American Gastroenterological AssociationDr. Carmen Fong, MD, FACS, colorectal surgeon, author of What To Know When You Can’t Go and chief medical officer of BummedDr. Ritu Nahar, MD, gastroenterologist with Allied Digestive HealthNew research identifies cells linking chronic psychological stress to inflammatory bowel disease. ScienceDailyHence then, the article about i m a gastroenterologist this is the most overlooked cause of digestive issues was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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