From as little as a meal not sitting right in your stomach to having a serious condition detected in your system, GI issues are more common than you may have thought. Almost 1 in every 5 Americans experience some sort of GI issue at some point in their life. At the Digestive and Liver Center of Florida, our Orlando GI physicians cannot stress enough how important it is to take on the condition to better understand the situation. Another thing is that you’re not alone. There are several GI issues that affect millions of Americans every year, and DLCFL is here to share with you some of the most common ones as well as how to treat them in an effective manner.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
This is a chronic, long term condition where stomach acid or bile flows into the esophagus and irritates the lining. According to our Orlando GI physicians at DLCFL, the most telltale signs of having GERD are experiencing acid reflux or heartburn multiple times throughout the week. Other symptoms include chest pain, regurgitation of food or liquid, and sometimes even asthma and chronic cough. To mange the severity of the symptoms, GI experts suggest a change in lifestyle and diet.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
An intestinal disorder that causes gas, pain in the belly, diarrhea AND constipation. How harsh the symptoms hit vary depending on the individual. The symptoms come in waves and they include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and cramping. There isn’t a cure for the disease itself, the only thing that can be done is have treatments that focus on symptom relief. So, if you do have this GI issue, add exercise to your regimen, eat smaller meal portions, and consume prebiotics and probiotics.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in the rectum and anus that cause discomfort and bleeding. They’re typically caused from straining during bowel movements, obesity, or pregnancy. Common symptoms are discomfort during bowel movements, discomfort when sitting, itching, and bleeding. Our Orlando GI experts suggest to go on a high-fiber diet in order to relieve the GI issue. You can also purchase OTC topical treatments, and take warm baths to relieve itching.
Celiac Disease
This condition is an immune reaction to gluten. With time, the immune reaction to eating gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye), creates inflammation that damages the small intestine’s lining. When this happens, the body isn’t able to absorb properly the nutrients. Symptoms of celiac disease are abdominal pain, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, and skin disorders. The only way to treat this is by living a gluten-free diet, while still maintaining healthy and balance nourishment. Our Orlando GI physicians say that it can take months or even years to heal, it all just depends on the patient’s situation.
Crohn’s Disease
Unfortunately, there’s no known cure for Crohn’s at this time, but if you see one of our Orlando GI doctors at the Digestive and Liver Center, they will make sure to approach your situation in the best way possible unique to you. Common symptoms of Crohn’s are abnormal cramping, blood in your stool, weight loss, fatigue, and the feeling of impending bowel movements. Based on the severity of the symptoms, your GI doctor will decide on your treatment. It can range from a diet change and antibiotics to surgery.
Once you understand the symptoms of the abovementioned GI issues, you’re able to tackle the situation and move forward with your life. Schedule a consultation with one of our Orlando GI doctors at the Digestive and Liver Center today! Call (407)384-7388.