Common Digestive Problems
Our digestive system is amazing. It takes the food we eat and turns it into energy and nutrients our body needs. But sometimes, things can go wrong, leading to uncomfortable digestive problems. Let’s talk about some common ones like constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and try to understand them in simple terms.
Constipation:
Imagine a busy road where traffic is moving slowly. That’s a bit like constipation in our gut. It means we are not having bowel movements as often as we usually do, or when we pass stool, it’s hard and difficult to pass. This can make our stomach feel full, bloated, and sometimes even painful.
What are its causes? Often, it’s not drinking enough water, not eating enough fiber (which is found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains), or not moving your body enough. Sometimes, stress or certain medicines can also cause constipation.
Best management for constipation is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Try to eat more foods rich in fiber. Go for a walk or do some light exercise. If it continues to be a problem, then consult your nearest physician for further treatment.
Acid Reflux: (Burning Feeling in chest)
Acid reflux is a symptom, simply caused by excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach. Normally, your stomach produces hydrochloric acid to help digest and break down food. We must understand, first of all, that acidity occurs due to triggers such as acidic food, alcohol, dehydration, and stress, which cause excess production of acid.
Sometimes we felt a burning sensation in our chest after eating, especially after a heavy meal or when lying down. That’s likely acid reflux. It happens when stomach acid, which helps digest food, flows back up into the esophagus that connects your mouth to your stomach. This acid can irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing that burning feeling, sometimes called heartburn. We might also taste something sour in our mouth or have a cough.
Most probable causes for acid reflux are eating large meals, eating too quickly, eating fatty foods, chocolate, or coffee can trigger it. Lying down right immediately after eating can also make it worse.
Management is trying to eat smaller meals more often. Avoid triggers or junk foods. Don’t lie down immediately after eating; wait a few hours. Raising the head of your bed can also help. If it happens often, then consult your doctor for further treatment.
Diarrhea:
Diarrhea is the opposite of constipation. It means you are having very frequent, loose, and watery bowel movements. It’s like the traffic on our imaginary road is moving too fast, and everything is just rushing through. This can make us feel weak and tired because our body is losing a lot of fluids and important salts.
Often, it’s caused by a virus, bacteria or from contaminated food or water, sometimes certain medications. Stress can also sometimes lead to diarrhea.
The most important thing is to remain hydrated in order to prevent diarrhea. Drink plenty of fluids to replace what our body is losing. Water, ORS, and other rehydration drinks are good choices. Eat bland foods like toast, rice, or bananas until you feel better. If diarrhea lasts for more than a couple of days, or if you have a fever or severe pain, then consult your doctor.
Abdominal Pain:
Abdominal pain, often simply called a “tummy ache” or “stomach ache,” is a very common complaint. It refers to any pain or discomfort felt in the area between your chest and your groin. This area contains many important organs, including your stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and kidneys, so pain here can come from a variety of sources.
Abdominal pain can feel different for everyone and can range from a mild, dull ache to sharp, severe cramping. It might come and go, or it could be constant. The type of pain, where it’s located, and how long it lasts can all give clues about what might be causing it. For example, some pain might feel like a burning sensation, while other pain might feel like a twisting or gnawing feeling.
There are many reasons why someone might experience abdominal pain. Most of the time, it’s due to something minor and temporary, like indigestion, gas, or a stomach virus.
- Indigestion: This happens when your stomach has trouble breaking down food, leading to discomfort, bloating, and sometimes nausea. Eating too quickly, eating fatty or spicy foods, or overeating can cause it.
- Gas: Gas trapped in your intestines can cause sharp, cramping pains. This is often relieved by passing gas. Certain foods, like beans or fizzy drinks, can produce more gas.
- Constipation: When you can’t have a bowel movement regularly, stool builds up in your intestines, causing pain and bloating.
- Diarrhea: Frequent, loose stools can be accompanied by cramping abdominal pain as your intestines work quickly to expel their contents.
- Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis): This is an infection of the stomach and intestines, usually caused by a virus. It often leads to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
- Acid Reflux: As mentioned before, stomach acid moving up into the esophagus can cause a burning pain in the upper abdomen and chest.
- Food Intolerances: Some people have difficulty digesting certain foods, like lactose (in dairy products), which can lead to gas, bloating, and pain.
More serious causes of abdominal pain can include conditions like appendicitis, gallstones, kidney stones, or ulcers, but these are less common.
For mild pain, you can try resting, drinking clear fluids, avoiding solid foods for a few hours, and applying a warm compress to your abdomen. Always consult a healthcare professional if you are concerned about your abdominal pain or if it doesn’t improve. They can help figure out the cause and recommend the best course of action.
Understanding these common digestive problems can help you know when to make simple changes at home and when it’s time to seek advice from a healthcare professional. Our bodies are good at telling us when something is wrong, so listening to these signals is important for our health.
Today, let us see a set of techniques that one can follow daily to get rid of such digestive issues naturally and permanently.
First comes food. This food aspect is very important when it comes to digestive issues. After every meal, suck on a small piece of jaggery. Jaggery maintains normal body temperature and cools the stomach. Drink 1 cup of cold cow’s milk or almond milk if you have severe acid reflux. Milk helps to neutralize acid because its character is alkaline. Coconut water, buttermilk, bananas, and apples are also good to soothe your stomach. Whenever you have digestive issues, one must eat sensibly and avoid all food which does not agree with our system.
Second, follow proper eating habits. Remember to drink water half an hour before food and one hour after food. Drink warm water before going to sleep and as soon as you wake up. Stay upright after meals and take a gentle walk to improve your digestion. Avoid lying down immediately after having food. When we clean the root of your tongue by rubbing it with your thumb. It contracts the stomach and helps in good elimination.
Third is pranayama. Pranayama has a very soothing and cooling effect on our digestive system and should be practiced in the morning as well as in the evening. There is one pranayama called Chandra Bhedan Pranayama. The Chandra Bheda Pranayama is associated with the coolness of the moon. It regulates the flow of bile and induces calmness. Another pranayama called Sheetali Pranayama involves breathing in from the mouth with the help of a tube formed by curling the tongue. It heals ailments of the abdomen and removes excess heat accumulated in the system. Sitkari Pranayama is there, which also involves breathing in from the mouth with a clenched teeth formation. This pranayama is also cooling and reduces mental tension.
Next, let us see some Asanas which you can practice right in the morning, which stimulate bowel movements. It is very necessary to remove waste materials and toxins from the system. First, for the Agnisar Kriya in lying down variation, it provides internal abdominal compression and stimulates the digestive system, releasing acid reflux in the stomach by improving digestion and blood flow to the abdominal region. Another Asana is Makarasana. It neutralizes acid in the stomach. It is always best to do this Asana before you really sit to eat your food. It is important to relax in Shavasana because it releases muscular and nervous tension. It releases stress and invigorates your body and mind. If you suffer from chronic acidity, all these asanas can also be done right in your bed the moment you wake up in the morning.
Keeping ourselves away from stress and negativity, which is also a major cause of acidity, because there is a strong and direct connection between body and mind. We know, we can actually convince yourself into healthy states of body and mind. So make the right choices, remember what to keep, what to let go, and set yourself free from acid reflux, constipation, and other digestive problems permanently.
