When something about your health feels “off,” there’s a good chance that the first place you turn to for help is Google. It might even be what led you to this very article. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 59% of adults use the internet to look for health or medical information. Women are especially likely to do this. Unfortunately, the internet isn’t a reliable doctor. Googling possible causes of a headache (or asking ChatGPT), for example, could soon have you self-diagnosing yourself with a brain tumor when the real cause is a lot less scary. Gut health issues are particularly difficult to diagnose on your own, even though many people experience them. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, roughly 40% of Americans have stopped routine activities in the past year due to uncomfortable bowel symptoms. This could include bloating, diarrhea or constipation.
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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If you’re experiencing bloating, constipation or diarrhea regularly,Dr. Carmen Fong, MD, FACS, a colorectal surgeon, author of What To Know When You Can’t Go and chief medical officer of Bummed, says to first consider your diet. This includes what you’re eating and drinking, as well as what you may not be eating or drinking enough of. Dr. Fong says that not drinking enough water is the number one most overlooked cause of digestive issues that she sees.
“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.
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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.
While examining your diet—including your hydration habits—is a great place to start if you are experiencing digestive problems, sometimes the cause doesn’t have to do with diet at all. Dr. Ritu Nahar, MD, a gastroenterologist with Allied Digestive Health, says that one of the most overlooked causes of digestive problems she sees is stress.
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“One of the most overlooked causes of digestive symptoms is chronic stress and the resulting deregulation of the mind-gut connection. Many patients focus on food triggers, but stress has a powerful and often under-recognized effect on how the digestive system functions,” she says.
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.
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“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.
Dr. Nahar explains that it’s easy to overlook stress as a cause for digestive distress because it doesn’t show up on bloodwork or imaging, and people tend to think of it as a mental or emotional issue rather than a physiological one. But she emphasizes that stress directly affects gut motility, sensitivity and acid production. “So many of my patients will manifest GI symptoms at times of chronic, continued stress or acute life stressors,” she 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.
“Prioritize sleep, slow down when eating meals, incorporate physical activity into your day and practice simple nervous system-calming techniques like deep breathing,” Dr. Nahar says.
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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