What causes indigestion and how can it be prevented. How do lifestyle changes impact digestive health. Which foods should be avoided to reduce indigestion symptoms. When should you seek medical attention for persistent indigestion.

Understanding Indigestion: Symptoms and Causes

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a common digestive issue characterized by persistent or recurrent discomfort in the upper abdomen. While often mistaken for a condition itself, indigestion is typically a symptom of underlying problems such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or gallbladder disease.

Common symptoms of indigestion include:

• Burning sensation in the stomach or upper abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating and feeling uncomfortably full
• Belching and gas
• Nausea and vomiting
• Acidic taste in the mouth
• Growling stomach

Can stress exacerbate indigestion symptoms? Indeed, stress can significantly worsen indigestion, making it crucial to manage stress levels for better digestive health.

Distinguishing Indigestion from Heartburn

While indigestion and heartburn often occur together, they are distinct symptoms. Heartburn manifests as a burning sensation deep in the chest and may indicate a separate issue requiring different treatment approaches.

Risk Factors and Common Causes of Indigestion

Indigestion affects people of all ages and genders, but certain factors can increase the risk:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Use of irritating medications (e.g., aspirin and other pain relievers)
• Digestive tract abnormalities (such as ulcers)
• Emotional issues (anxiety, depression)
• Obesity
• Smoking

The causes of indigestion are diverse and can be categorized into three main groups:

1. Diseases and Medical Conditions

• Ulcers
• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
• Stomach cancer (rare)
• Gastroparesis
• Stomach infections
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Thyroid disease
• Pregnancy

2. Medications

• Aspirin and NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)
• Estrogen and oral contraceptives
• Steroid medications
• Certain antibiotics
• Thyroid medicines

3. Lifestyle Factors

• Overeating or eating too quickly
• Consuming high-fat foods
• Eating during stressful situations
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Cigarette smoking
• Stress and fatigue

Is excess stomach acid the primary cause of indigestion? Contrary to popular belief, indigestion is not caused by excess stomach acid. However, swallowing excessive air while eating may increase symptoms like belching and bloating.

Diagnosing Indigestion: When to Consult a Doctor

If you experience persistent indigestion, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional. To assist your doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, provide a detailed description of your symptoms, including the location and nature of the discomfort.

Diagnostic procedures may include:

• Blood tests
• X-rays of the stomach or small intestine
• Upper endoscopy

During an upper endoscopy, a flexible tube with a light and camera (endoscope) is used to examine the inside of your stomach, providing valuable insights into the underlying cause of your indigestion.

Treatment Options for Indigestion

Since indigestion is a symptom rather than a disease, treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying condition. However, several medications can help alleviate symptoms:

Antacids

Antacids neutralize stomach acid, providing quick relief from indigestion symptoms. Common over-the-counter options include:

• Mylanta
• Rolaids
• Tums

Histamine (H2) Blockers

H2 blockers reduce stomach acid production, both preventing and treating indigestion symptoms. They take 1-3 hours to take effect but provide relief for several hours. Common H2 blockers include:

• Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
• Famotidine (Pepcid Complete or Pepcid AC, Zantac 360)
• Nizatidine (Axid, Axid AR)

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

PPIs also reduce stomach acid production but are specifically designed for frequent indigestion occurring two or more times per week. They take 1-4 days to become effective and can be used for up to 14 days, up to three times per year. Common OTC PPIs include:

• Esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid 24HR)
• Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate (Zegerid OTC)
• Omeprazole magnesium (Prilosec OTC)

Do indigestion medications interact with other drugs? Yes, both H2 blockers and PPIs can interact with certain medications. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using these treatments, especially if you’re taking other prescription medications.

Natural Remedies and Home Treatments for Indigestion

While medical treatments are effective, some people find relief through natural remedies. Although scientific evidence is limited, the following home remedies are often claimed to ease indigestion symptoms:

• Baking soda
• Apple cider vinegar
• Chewing gum
• Ginger
• Bananas
• Milk
• Aloe vera

It’s important to note that indigestion often resolves on its own after a few hours without any treatment. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, it’s crucial to seek medical attention.

10 Effective Tips to Prevent and Avoid Indigestion

Prevention is key when it comes to managing indigestion. Here are ten practical tips to help you avoid discomfort and maintain optimal digestive health:

1. Eat slowly and mindfully: Take your time to chew food thoroughly and enjoy your meals without rushing.
2. Avoid trigger foods: Identify and limit foods that commonly cause indigestion, such as spicy, fatty, or acidic items.
3. Manage portion sizes: Overeating can lead to indigestion, so practice portion control and listen to your body’s fullness cues.
4. Limit alcohol and caffeine: Both can irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate indigestion symptoms.
5. Quit smoking: Smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing the risk of acid reflux and indigestion.
6. Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts pressure on the stomach, potentially worsening indigestion.
7. Manage stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
8. Avoid lying down after meals: Wait at least three hours after eating before going to bed to allow for proper digestion.
9. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, but avoid large quantities during meals.
10. Exercise regularly: Moderate physical activity can aid digestion and reduce stress levels.

How effective are these preventive measures in reducing indigestion occurrences? While individual responses may vary, consistently implementing these tips can significantly decrease the frequency and severity of indigestion episodes for many people.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Indigestion

While occasional indigestion is common and often harmless, certain situations warrant medical attention. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Persistent or severe abdominal pain
• Unintended weight loss
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent vomiting
• Black or tarry stools
• Indigestion accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or arm

These symptoms may indicate more serious underlying conditions that require prompt medical evaluation and treatment.

The Role of Diet in Managing Indigestion

Diet plays a crucial role in both preventing and managing indigestion. While trigger foods can vary from person to person, certain dietary choices are generally beneficial for digestive health:

Foods to Include

• Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables
• Lean proteins
• Whole grains
• Probiotic-rich foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut)
• Herbal teas (peppermint, chamomile, ginger)

Foods to Avoid or Limit

• Spicy foods
• Fatty or fried foods
• Citrus fruits and tomatoes
• Chocolate
• Carbonated beverages
• Alcohol
• Caffeine

Can dietary changes alone resolve chronic indigestion? While dietary modifications can significantly improve symptoms for many individuals, chronic indigestion may require a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and medical treatment for optimal management.

In conclusion, understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies for indigestion is crucial for maintaining digestive health. By implementing the tips outlined in this guide and making informed lifestyle choices, you can reduce the frequency and severity of indigestion episodes. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional if you experience persistent or severe symptoms, as they may indicate underlying conditions requiring medical attention.

Symptoms, Causes, Diet, and Treatments

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Are the Symptoms of Indigestion?
• Who Is at Risk for Indigestion?
• What Causes Indigestion?
• How Is Indigestion Diagnosed?
• What Is the Treatment for Indigestion?
• How Can I Prevent Indigestion?
• When Should I Call the Doctor About Indigestion?
• More

Indigestion is often a sign of an underlying problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or gallbladder disease, rather than a condition of its own.

Also called dyspepsia, it is defined as a persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen.

The symptoms of indigestion include:

• Burning in the stomach or upper abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating (full feeling)
• Belching and gas
• Nausea and vomiting
• Acidic taste
• Growling stomach

These symptoms may increase in times of stress.

People often have heartburn (a burning sensation deep in the chest) along with indigestion. But heartburn is a different symptom that may be a sign of another problem.

People of all ages and genders are affected by indigestion. It’s extremely common. A person’s risk increases with:

• Drinking too much alcohol
• Use of drugs that irritate the stomach, such as aspirin and other pain relievers
• Conditions where there is an abnormality in the digestive tract, such as an ulcer
• Emotional problems, such as anxiety or depression
• Obesity
• Smoking

Indigestion has many causes, including:

Diseases:

• Ulcers
• GERD
• Stomach cancer (rare)
• Gastroparesis (a condition where the stomach doesn’t empty properly; this often occurs in people with diabetes)
• Stomach infections
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Thyroid disease
• Pregnancy

Medications:

• Aspirin and other painkillers, such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen 
• Estrogen and oral contraceptives
• Steroid medications
• Certain antibiotics
• Thyroid medicines

Lifestyle:

• Eating too much, eating too fast, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful situations
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Cigarette smoking
• Stress and fatigue

Indigestion is not caused by excess stomach acid.

Swallowing excessive air when eating may increase the symptoms of belching and bloating, which are often associated with indigestion.

Sometimes people have persistent indigestion that is not related to any of these factors. This type of indigestion is called functional or non-ulcer dyspepsia.

If you have indigestion, make an appointment to see your doctor. Because indigestion is such a broad term, it is helpful to provide your doctor with a precise description of the discomfort you are feeling. In describing the symptoms, try to define where in the abdomen the discomfort usually occurs.

Your doctor will rule out any underlying conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Your doctor may perform several blood tests and you may have X-rays of the stomach or small intestine. Your doctor may also suggest you have an upper endoscopy to look closely at the inside of the stomach. During the procedure, an endoscope — a flexible tube that contains a light and a camera to produce images from inside the body — is used to look inside your stomach.

Because indigestion is a symptom rather than a disease, treatment usually depends upon the underlying condition causing the indigestion.

Indigestion Medicine

Antacids

Antacids help ease indigestion symptoms. They neutralize, or offset, the stomach acid that causes indigestion. Common over-the-counter (OTC) antacids are:

• Mylanta
• Rolaids
• Tums

Histamine (h3) Blockers

h3 blockers lessen the amount of acid your stomach makes, so they can both stop and prevent indigestion symptoms. They take between 1 and 3 hours to take effect but work for several hours. If you take any prescription medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you use an h3 blocker because they can interact with certain other drugs. Common h3 blockers include: 

• Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
• Famotidine (Pepcid Complete or Pepcid AC, Zantac 360)
• Nizatidine (Axid, Axid AR)

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

OTC PPIs also work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes, but they only treat frequent indigestion that happens two or more times per week. They take from 1 to 4 days to become effective. You can use them for up to 14 days, and up to three times per year. They can also interact with other medications, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before you use them. The most common PPIs that you can buy over the counter are: 

• Esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid 24HR)
• Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate (Zegerid OTC)
• Omeprazole magnesium (Prilosec OTC)

Indigestion Relief

You might not need any treatment. Indigestion often goes away on its own after a few hours. But let your doctor know if your symptoms get worse.

There a number of home or natural remedies that some people claim will ease indigestion symptoms, including: 

• Baking soda
• Apple cider vinegar 
• Chewing gum 
• Ginger 
• Bananas 
• Milk
• Aloe vera juice 

But unlike medications that are tested for safety and effectiveness, there are no guidelines to know if these remedies are safe and will work. Many things can affect how a remedy will work for you, including the cause of your indigestion, other medications you may be taking, and whether or not you’re pregnant. Check with your doctor before trying a natural remedy for indigestion. 

The best way to prevent indigestion is to avoid the foods and situations that seem to cause it. Keeping a food diary is helpful in identifying foods that cause indigestion. Here are some other suggestions:

• Eat small meals so the stomach does not have to work as hard or as long.
• Eat slowly.
• Try not to chew with your mouth open, talk while you chew, or eat too fast. This makes you swallow too much air, which can add to indigestion.
• Avoid foods that contain high amounts of acids, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes.
• Avoid spicy foods.
• Reduce or avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine.
• If stress is a trigger for your indigestion, learn new methods for managing stress, such as relaxation and biofeedback techniques.
• If you smoke, quit. Smoking can irritate the lining of the stomach.
• Cut back on alcohol because it can also irritate the stomach lining.
• Avoid wearing tight-fitting garments because they tend to compress the stomach, which can cause its contents to enter the esophagus.
• Don’t exercise with a full stomach. Rather, exercise before a meal or at least one hour after eating a meal.
• Don’t lie down right after eating.
• Avoid late-night eating. Wait at least 3 hours after your last meal of the day before going to bed.
• Sleep with your head elevated (at least 6 inches) above your feet and use pillows to prop yourself up. This will help allow digestive juices to flow into the intestines rather than to the esophagus.
• Get to and stay at a healthy weight. Extra weight puts pressure on your stomach and lower esophagus. 

If you don’t feel better after these changes, your doctor may prescribe medications for you.

Because indigestion can be a sign of a more serious health problem, call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting, blood in vomit, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Black, tarry stools or visible blood in stools
• Severe pain in the abdomen
• Discomfort unrelated to eating

Symptoms similar to indigestion may be caused by heart attacks. If indigestion is unusual, accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, chest pain, or pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or arm, call 911 immediately.

Top Picks

Symptoms, Causes, Diet, and Treatments

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Are the Symptoms of Indigestion?
• Who Is at Risk for Indigestion?
• What Causes Indigestion?
• How Is Indigestion Diagnosed?
• What Is the Treatment for Indigestion?
• How Can I Prevent Indigestion?
• When Should I Call the Doctor About Indigestion?
• More

Indigestion is often a sign of an underlying problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or gallbladder disease, rather than a condition of its own.

Also called dyspepsia, it is defined as a persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen.

The symptoms of indigestion include:

• Burning in the stomach or upper abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating (full feeling)
• Belching and gas
• Nausea and vomiting
• Acidic taste
• Growling stomach

These symptoms may increase in times of stress.

People often have heartburn (a burning sensation deep in the chest) along with indigestion. But heartburn is a different symptom that may be a sign of another problem.

People of all ages and genders are affected by indigestion. It’s extremely common. A person’s risk increases with:

• Drinking too much alcohol
• Use of drugs that irritate the stomach, such as aspirin and other pain relievers
• Conditions where there is an abnormality in the digestive tract, such as an ulcer
• Emotional problems, such as anxiety or depression
• Obesity
• Smoking

Indigestion has many causes, including:

Diseases:

• Ulcers
• GERD
• Stomach cancer (rare)
• Gastroparesis (a condition where the stomach doesn’t empty properly; this often occurs in people with diabetes)
• Stomach infections
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Thyroid disease
• Pregnancy

Medications:

• Aspirin and other painkillers, such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen 
• Estrogen and oral contraceptives
• Steroid medications
• Certain antibiotics
• Thyroid medicines

Lifestyle:

• Eating too much, eating too fast, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful situations
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Cigarette smoking
• Stress and fatigue

Indigestion is not caused by excess stomach acid.

Swallowing excessive air when eating may increase the symptoms of belching and bloating, which are often associated with indigestion.

Sometimes people have persistent indigestion that is not related to any of these factors. This type of indigestion is called functional or non-ulcer dyspepsia.

If you have indigestion, make an appointment to see your doctor. Because indigestion is such a broad term, it is helpful to provide your doctor with a precise description of the discomfort you are feeling. In describing the symptoms, try to define where in the abdomen the discomfort usually occurs.

Your doctor will rule out any underlying conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Your doctor may perform several blood tests and you may have X-rays of the stomach or small intestine. Your doctor may also suggest you have an upper endoscopy to look closely at the inside of the stomach. During the procedure, an endoscope — a flexible tube that contains a light and a camera to produce images from inside the body — is used to look inside your stomach.

Because indigestion is a symptom rather than a disease, treatment usually depends upon the underlying condition causing the indigestion.

Indigestion Medicine

Antacids

Antacids help ease indigestion symptoms. They neutralize, or offset, the stomach acid that causes indigestion. Common over-the-counter (OTC) antacids are:

• Mylanta
• Rolaids
• Tums

Histamine (h3) Blockers

h3 blockers lessen the amount of acid your stomach makes, so they can both stop and prevent indigestion symptoms. They take between 1 and 3 hours to take effect but work for several hours. If you take any prescription medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you use an h3 blocker because they can interact with certain other drugs. Common h3 blockers include: 

• Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
• Famotidine (Pepcid Complete or Pepcid AC, Zantac 360)
• Nizatidine (Axid, Axid AR)

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

OTC PPIs also work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes, but they only treat frequent indigestion that happens two or more times per week. They take from 1 to 4 days to become effective. You can use them for up to 14 days, and up to three times per year. They can also interact with other medications, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before you use them. The most common PPIs that you can buy over the counter are: 

• Esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid 24HR)
• Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate (Zegerid OTC)
• Omeprazole magnesium (Prilosec OTC)

Indigestion Relief

You might not need any treatment. Indigestion often goes away on its own after a few hours. But let your doctor know if your symptoms get worse.

There a number of home or natural remedies that some people claim will ease indigestion symptoms, including: 

• Baking soda
• Apple cider vinegar 
• Chewing gum 
• Ginger 
• Bananas 
• Milk
• Aloe vera juice 

But unlike medications that are tested for safety and effectiveness, there are no guidelines to know if these remedies are safe and will work. Many things can affect how a remedy will work for you, including the cause of your indigestion, other medications you may be taking, and whether or not you’re pregnant. Check with your doctor before trying a natural remedy for indigestion. 

The best way to prevent indigestion is to avoid the foods and situations that seem to cause it. Keeping a food diary is helpful in identifying foods that cause indigestion. Here are some other suggestions:

• Eat small meals so the stomach does not have to work as hard or as long.
• Eat slowly.
• Try not to chew with your mouth open, talk while you chew, or eat too fast. This makes you swallow too much air, which can add to indigestion.
• Avoid foods that contain high amounts of acids, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes.
• Avoid spicy foods.
• Reduce or avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine.
• If stress is a trigger for your indigestion, learn new methods for managing stress, such as relaxation and biofeedback techniques.
• If you smoke, quit. Smoking can irritate the lining of the stomach.
• Cut back on alcohol because it can also irritate the stomach lining.
• Avoid wearing tight-fitting garments because they tend to compress the stomach, which can cause its contents to enter the esophagus.
• Don’t exercise with a full stomach. Rather, exercise before a meal or at least one hour after eating a meal.
• Don’t lie down right after eating.
• Avoid late-night eating. Wait at least 3 hours after your last meal of the day before going to bed.
• Sleep with your head elevated (at least 6 inches) above your feet and use pillows to prop yourself up. This will help allow digestive juices to flow into the intestines rather than to the esophagus.
• Get to and stay at a healthy weight. Extra weight puts pressure on your stomach and lower esophagus. 

If you don’t feel better after these changes, your doctor may prescribe medications for you.

Because indigestion can be a sign of a more serious health problem, call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting, blood in vomit, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Black, tarry stools or visible blood in stools
• Severe pain in the abdomen
• Discomfort unrelated to eating

Symptoms similar to indigestion may be caused by heart attacks. If indigestion is unusual, accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, chest pain, or pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or arm, call 911 immediately.

Top Picks

Prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children – Dr.Domodedoff Medical Center in Domodedovo

Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat! Especially in a growing and developing child’s body, because children are completely dependent on their parents.

Rudyk Anna Vasilievna PhD pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist

14.04.2020

What is the prevention of the disease – these are preliminary measures to prevent a particular disorder of the body.

A disease (disease (lat. morbus)) is a state of the body, expressed in violation of its normal functioning, life expectancy and its ability to maintain its homeostasis.

Disease prevention is a set of measures aimed at preventing the occurrence of a disease.

Gastrointestinal tract – the gastrointestinal tract, a system of organs whose work provides many body functions (digestion, absorption of nutrients, detoxification – removal of harmful substances from the body, immunity).

FNGKT – a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract – a violation of the function of one organ of the system leads to a violation of the function of the system itself in general and the normal functioning of the whole organism.

Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat!

Especially in a growing and developing child’s body, because children are completely dependent on their parents. Only parents can instill in a child the basics of a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, and a culture of eating behavior.

The basic principles of prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are simple, like all ingenious:

1. Compliance with the daily routine .

2. Sleep mode .

3. Proper nutrition the child should be according to age, exclude unnecessary and unhealthy foods, especially fast food. Maintain a balance of proteins / fats / carbohydrates.

The diet of the child must necessarily include a sufficient amount of fiber – these are vegetables, fruits, cereals – the key to the “correct functioning of the digestive tract”; animal proteins (meat, poultry, fish) are the key to the full formation of organs and systems, especially the nervous, immune, endocrine systems.

4. Drinking regimen , that is, sufficient water intake per day.

IMPORTANT – exactly WATER!!! Only water can ensure compliance with the drinking regime.

5. Physical activity . Strange as it may seem, but physical activity is very important for the full functioning of the digestive tract. Especially today, when the whole world suffers from hypodynamia. Do simple exercises with your child, play outdoor games.

6. Hygiene . Wash hands before eating. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water. Thermally process food if necessary. Follow the rules of preparation.

In case of a disorder of normal digestion in a child, do not self-medicate. This can worsen your health. Contact a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Dr.Domodedoff Medical Center.

Follow simple recommendations, take care of yourself!
Be healthy!

Rudyk Anna Vasilievna Ph.D. pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist.

Allergic manifestations in children in the spring

Neurological diseases in adults

Return to the list

Prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in adults.

For the prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and
their complications, preventive screening programs are important.
They differ for people with and without risk factors. In case if
the disease has already been identified, it is necessary to take measures to prevent it
progression.

Main place in prevention
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are well known since childhood common
rules – diet, elimination of bad habits. But do we give
Enough attention to these, it would seem, to all known facts?

• Smoking and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

When the doctor calculates the risk
development of diseases, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT),
always notes the duration and activity of smoking, since this fact may
drastically affect the prognosis. Smoking increases the risk of most
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Usually the smoker does not attach any importance to this. However, discussing
questions the risks with the doctor, he learns that smoking leads to an increase in volume
surveys. Thus, smoking increases the risk of squamous gastric cancer, cancer of the tongue,
esophageal cancer. And ceteris paribus, a smoker can be assigned
gastroscopy where it will not be offered to the same non-smoking person.

• Alcohol and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Even the smallest amount
alcohol is bad for health. Define the concepts of alcoholism and
alcohol damage (disease) of the liver. Alcoholism is a disease
requiring a multidisciplinary approach – the efforts and knowledge of specialists from different
specialties (cardiologists, hematologists, neurologists, gastroenterologists).

Alcoholic liver disease and
alcohol disease in general are dose-dependent circumstances – the more
a person consumes alcoholic beverages, the more pronounced the changes. But there are
and combined factors. For example, a person is overweight and has impaired
lipid metabolism, for a long time he moderately, in his opinion, consumes
alcohol. In this situation, the risk of developing alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis
liver increase several times.

There is an opinion that low alcohol
drinks are less dangerous. This is wrong. Drinks containing a low percentage of alcohol,
are not safe for health. Regular alcohol consumption is also
is a very serious risk factor for the development of alcoholic liver disease.

In patients who abuse
alcohol often develops gastroesophageal reflux with the development of inflammation
esophagus. They often develop various precancerous conditions of the mucous wall
esophagus and stomach, irritable bowel syndrome and other organ and
systems, among which it is worth noting the defeat of the pancreas.

Chronic pancreatitis,
associated with the use of alcohol is a formidable situation. pancreas
iron ceases to produce the enzymes necessary for the digestion of food, stops
produce sufficient amounts of the hormones insulin and glucagon. Also can
develop an acute lesion of the pancreas – acute pancreatitis with pancreatic necrosis. Acute alcoholic pancreatitis/pancreatic necrosis – emergency,
requiring treatment in the surgical department and in the intensive care unit. But even
with timely surgical care and treatment in the intensive care unit, acute
pancreatitis in a large percentage of cases is fatal. Such
conditions can occur even in people who consume alcohol irregularly and in
small amounts. Sometimes a combination of circumstances can lead to pancreatic necrosis.
– emotional mood and a single use of a large amount of strong
alcohol. This affects both men and women of any age. At
smokers, the risk of pancreatic necrosis is much higher.

It is important to understand that the states
associated with alcohol consumption are largely irreversible. When refusing
alcohol consumption, the patient does not recover completely, but significantly
improves the quality of your life and its duration.

• Mode
  nutrition

Eating regularly is essential for
normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. We are familiar with this from kindergarten, where breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea are regularly served.
and dinner at a certain time and in a fixed volume. Unfortunately, in his
practice, the family doctor rarely meets with adult patients who
eat properly and regularly (10-15% of cases). Most eat
irregularly. The amount of food consumed at one meal is also important. If the patient is half a day
does not eat or eats very small meals, and in the afternoon or at
some other time of day eats up its daily allowance, this imposes a serious
imprint on the functioning of its organs and systems. Patients first
encounter troubles such as gastroesophageal reflux, which
can be clinically manifested by any symptoms, ranging from heartburn and pain behind
sternum, sometimes simulating acute myocardial infarction, and ending with cough and pain in
throat. The implementation of the simplest recommendations on the mode and nature of nutrition gives
colossal effect – patients with gastroesophageal reflux cope with
all its clinical symptoms within a fairly short period
time.

• Character of food

Average person
can eat any food that brings him pleasure,
have nutritional properties, contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and
trace elements required for the life of the body. From point of view
prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is important to comply with a number of
conditions. First of all, this applies to “heavy food” – fatty, fried, with
a large amount of spices, which requires long and active work
gastrointestinal tract. Such food can be in your diet. But
it is desirable that this be rare, not regular and in small volumes.

At the same time general practitioners
it is often recommended to use all kinds of spices to improve food
food quality. When severe salt restriction is required,
use spices and flavor enhancers to make food enjoyable
taste and enjoyment. Thus, the patient can eat for a very long time,
without losing quality of life. It is also important to observe the “golden mean” here:
the amount of spices should not be extreme, the food should not be very
acute, a large number of substances that cause copious
secretion of digestive juices – this can increase the risk of reflux.

Special mention
products of industrial processing of meat – sausages, sausages, smoked meats. World
they are officially recognized as carcinogens by the health authorities.

• The influence of emotions on the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Gastroenterologists have long
observed that the symptoms of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract depend on emotional
status. More than half of the patients who go to the doctor with complaints of
in relation to the gastrointestinal tract, do not have organic diseases of the digestive
systems. These are functional diseases: functional dyspepsia, syndrome
irritable bowel, functional gastroesophageal reflux. These states
clinically can be expressed in different ways and cause concern to patients, tormenting
their years.

However, they can be completely
treat effectively. Most often, this is the development and observance of a diet, work
and rest, adequate sleep. If such patients have depression, anxiety,
this is an essential basis for psychotropic drug therapy.
A large number of patients with functional changes
gastrointestinal tract, receives a doctor’s prescription for antidepressants or
similar drugs. This should not be scary, because it is modern
approach with the best balance of efficiency and safety. It’s important to explain
patient: if he can change his lifestyle, cope with emotional
experiences by non-drug methods, then we will help him in everything and
Let’s support him in these endeavors. But if 1-3 months pass, and the patient
understands that he cannot cope on his own and is forced to live in a difficult emotional
situation, the solution is to prescribe psychotropic drugs in combination with
psychotherapy. Correct and joint activity of the doctor and the patient, based on
on trust and mutual understanding, brings good results in prevention and
treatment of functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract.

• Gastrointestinal cancer prevention

Stomach and colon cancer
intestines are among the leading causes of death from cancer
diseases in general. For the early diagnosis of these conditions, an important point
is the presence of complaints and a burdened family history in patients. If
the patient has relatives who have had stomach or colorectal cancer, this is
the first signal to tighten the regulations for the examination of this patient. Availability
any precancerous diseases (Barrett’s esophagus, atrophic gastritis),
long-term peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum also
are important points for strengthening the regulations for examining patients. timely
elimination of Helicobacter pylori infection is the basis for the prevention of stomach cancer. Golden
standard for the detection of colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancers
are endoscopic research methods. They can be carried out as
the normal state of the patient, and under sedation or anesthesia. Endoscopic
the study makes it possible to visualize the mucosa, obtain a biopsy
any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Without these studies, further
treatment tactics may not be completely clear and may not correspond to
recommendations and standards in the treatment and prevention of certain diseases
gastrointestinal tract.

• Prevention of liver and pancreas tumors

Talking about diseases
gastrointestinal tract, which may be accompanied by the development
malignant tumors, we should first of all talk about tumors
liver and pancreas. These diseases are classified as “silent”
diseases, their detection is often a finding during an examination performed according to
for a completely different reason.

The ultrasonic method is
highly sensitive but very non-specific. This means that many
changes detected by ultrasound of the liver require clarification of their nature. Focal
changes – this is when a certain amount of liver tissue does not correspond to its normal
structure. In the future, such findings require clarification and bring patients
more anxiety than results, negatively affecting the quality of life. Doctor
together with the patient should discuss the scope of further examinations,
based on previous data in the patient’s history, the presence of various
viral lesions of the liver, which always predispose to the development
neoplasms of the liver, the presence in the anamnesis of any mention of
cases of liver disease in the patient’s family. The best so far, along with
alcohol restriction, prevention of liver cancer is timely vaccination
in early childhood from hepatitis B virus.

As for pancreas , here the question is somewhat more complicated, since its location determines
some difficulties in diagnosing certain changes. Any identified focal
change in ultrasound examination of the pancreas, made by
case of “something is just bothering me”, will entail a certain
the number of various medical events. They in 20 – 30% of cases will give
any concrete result: some neoplasms will come to light,
possibly benign in nature, requiring observation. Or neoplasms
malignant nature with further active surgical intervention.
The remaining findings are most often “useless” for the patient. More likely,
they will require physical, moral and financial costs in order to
determine what these changes are. In this situation, each patient
individually chooses tactics together with his doctor. Unfortunately, tumors
of the pancreas are often detected at a sufficiently late stage that
significantly complicates the treatment process and worsens the prognosis. Therefore, for patients
with risk factors, it is possible to conduct screening studies.

LevinAleksey Viktorovich

General practitioner

Candidate of Medical Sciences.