Understanding Stomach Troubles – Symptoms and Remedies

When they say the stomach is the way to someone's heart, they are probably more right than you think. Yes, we are talking about digestive issues being the first-level boss to a much bigger and cleverly hiding final boss. Our stomachs are often the first to tell us when something is amiss in our body.

From the occasional tummy ache to more chronic discomfort, digestive issues can significantly impact our quality of life. While many people dismiss stomach problems as minor inconveniences, we at Kofuku don't disregard anything when it comes to your health.

That's why, in this blog, we're digging deep. Get your shovels ready! It's time to unearth all the dirt that our stomachs hide.

Well, first of all, not all tummy aches are a cause for concern. Throughout the formative years, children are slowly taught the difference between hunger pangs and other stomach aches. When they hit puberty, specifically kids born with female reproductive organs, they have an added knowledge of the menstrual cramps, which often occur around the stomach area as well. So, as an adult, figuring out if your pain is the occasional 3 AM craving, a major digestive issue, or, heaven forbid, both are important.

For those who missed this lesson or struggle with heeding your body's alerts, Kofuku is here to save your day. These are some of the ways that a digestive issue can manifest:

• Pain or discomfort: This can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by bloating, gas, or cramping.

• Changes in bowel habits: If you're constantly getting constipation, diarrhoea, or a combination of both, there's something wrong.

• Heartburn or acid reflux: The name's pretty self-explanatory. Suppose you feel an actual burning sensation in the chest or throat. In that case, it might be a symptom of several digestion-related issues.

• Nausea or vomiting: This is a bit out there because a lot of things can cause nausea. But it's still a valid symptom to consider since it might be a clue to the big bad.

• Indigestion: Monitoring your body's reaction after eating can tell you a lot about the underlying problem. So, difficulty digesting food, often accompanied by bloating or general discomfort, is also a definite symptom.

You're god's strongest soldier and thus have to bear the tummy aches. Source: trust me, bro.

Of course, there are also actual scientific reasons why you get them.

• Indigestion: Eating too much or even too quickly, consuming spicy or oily foods, or drinking excessive alcohol can lead to indigestion. Indigestion is, most of the time, a hit or miss. Having a list of what makes your stomach do the no-no dance is the best way to circumvent this.

• Food poisoning: Consuming contaminated food or water can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. This is one of those things where you very obviously realise that the chicken you ate in the middle of the night from the stalls of a shady alley might not have been one of your brightest moments.

• Gallstones: Gallstones are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder. They can cause severe pain in the upper right abdomen. But they're most often asymptomatic and are found only by chance.

• Peptic ulcers: Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the stomach lining. They can also cause abdominal pain. Through the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries and Risk Factors (GBD) Study, researchers have found out that peptic ulcers, though decreasing, have come to a standstill. It was after the changes in its risk factor, which is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in recent years.

• Pancreatitis: This is the inflammation of the pancreas. It can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and, most times, even fever.

• Appendicitis: It's the inflammation of the appendix and can cause just about the same symptoms as fever. Through a fairly safe procedure called Appendectomy, appendicitis can be treated quickly. But only if the symptoms are caught early on because if left untreated, it can result in death.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms and Causes

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common functional disorder with symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. The exact causes of IBS are not yet fully understood. Still, it is believed to be related to a combo of factors, including:

• Changes in gut bacteria, like an imbalance in the gut microbiota.

• Hypersensitivity to certain foods or substances.

• Stress can trigger or worsen IBS symptoms.

• Hormonal fluctuations can affect basic gut function and further contribute to IBS symptoms.

A study by the University of Gothenburg proved that seven out of ten patients showed reduced symptoms with dietary adjustments. They focused mostly on traditional IBS diets and reduced FODMAPs, also known as fermentable carbohydrates, including sugar, starch and fibre.

So, IBS is a manageable syndrome that can allow you to slowly get back your life. With lifestyle changes that accommodate your body's needs, you can live a fulfilling life.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Symptoms and Causes

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions that target the digestive tract. Yes, that same tube we all felt was easier to draw than all the squiggly in-between bits.

There are two main types of IBD: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Crohn's disease can go for any part of the digestive tract, which goes from the mouth to the anus. It causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the digestive tract and is overall a pain in the, well, anywhere between mouth and anus.

Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, affects only the colon and rectum. It also causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining but only in the colon. Silver linings!

Though IBD is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder, there have been developments in managing it better in recent years. With Asia among one of the highest rates of patients, studies like the 2023 one are spreading more awareness.

Symptoms of IBD can vary depending on the severity of the condition. They may include:

• Cramping or pain in the abdomen.

• Frequent diarrhoea that may contain blood or mucus.

• Feeling fatigued or exhausted.

• Unintentional weight loss.

• Fever with high temperature.

• Achy joints.

• A skin rash known as erythema nodosum is the most common skin presentation, showing in about 10–15% of people with IBD, especially Crohn's.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is a chronic condition that occurs when the stomach acid makes a straight U-turn into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. This happens when the muscle that separates the oesophagus from the stomach, called the lower oesophagal sphincter (LES), doesn't close properly.

Common symptoms of GERD include:

• Acid reflux

• Chest pain

• Difficulty swallowing

• Hoarseness

• Chronic cough

Many became aware of this particular disease thanks to a popular musician and YouTuber named Corpse Husband. His hoarse voice was a constant topic among his fans, and he openly educated about the disease and his struggles with it to his viewers at the time.

While many people with GERD can manage their symptoms with lifestyle changes and medications, in some cases, more invasive and exhaustively constant treatments may be necessary. Since GERD also comes with its own set of comorbidities, it's a tough disease to treat and manage.

Chronic Constipation

Chronic constipation is, as the name says. The patient has infrequent or difficult bowel movements. While occasional constipation is normal, chronic constipation can be a frustrating and sometimes painful experience. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• A diet low in fibre and fluids can contribute to constipation.

• Regular exercise helps stimulate bowel movements. Especially picking yoga asanas that focus on digestive issues, like Bhujangasana, can help rectify that.

• Certain meds, like opioids and antidepressants, can also cause constipation.

• It can turn out to be a symptom of other medical conditions like IBS, thyroid disorders, or even neurological diseases. This association was made as far back as 1992 through a study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences. Like the incontinence in Parkinson's due to autonomic failure, many neurological disorders can be linked back to constipation.

• Both emotional and physical stress can affect bowel function.

Chronic constipation can lead to a number of further complications like:

• Haemorrhoids: Swollen blood vessels in the rectum and anus.

• Faecal impaction: A buildup of hardened stool in the rectum.

• Anal fissures: Small tears in the skin around the anus.

Food Intolerance Signs

It is the awkward point between not having an allergy or a particular preference but still having adverse reactions to certain foods. A study from 2021 has a detailed account of how different an allergic reaction and a food intolerance reaction are. So here are some of the signs of food intolerance:

• Digestive symptoms including bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhoea, or heartburn.

• Skin reactions like rashes, hives, or eczema.

• Migraines or other types of headaches.

• Feeling tired or exhausted.

• Mood fluctuations between anxiety, depression, or irritability.

Note: Food intolerance is not to be confused with food allergy, which is more serious and life-threatening.

One is an intolerance, which comes up less than an allergy or disease, and the other is a straight-up disorder. What's more, an eating disorder is a mental health condition characterised by disordered eating patterns and unhealthy relationships with food. Food intolerance, on the other hand, is a physical condition that causes adverse reactions to certain foods.

It's important to note that some people with eating disorders may also have food intolerances. However, food intolerance does not necessarily mean that someone has an eating disorder.

On that note, since we've covered the physical conditions for digestive issues, it's time to touch the neurological. Because the brain-gut connection, as the pros call it, is a real thing. Stress, in particular, can have lasting effects on our digestive health. When we're stressed, our bodies release hormones that can disrupt gut function.

The 2023 study about the effects of acute stress on the gastrointestinal tract cites that this association has always been a factor in intestinal issues. So it's a given that stress can also lead to a variety of digestive problems, including:

• Increased stomach acid production: This can cause heartburn and acid reflux.

• Changes in bowel habits: Stress can lead to constipation or diarrhoea.

• Pain and discomfort: Stress can exacerbate abdominal pain and bloating.

The butterflies in your stomach before going on stage or during an emotionally taxing conversation are not butterflies but, in fact, the stress hormones wreaking havoc in your stomach.

Digestive issues are a common enough problem that many know of it, but not really what it is. By having this all laid out, understanding the causes and symptoms of various digestive conditions can become easier. It can help us take steps to manage our symptoms and improve our overall well-being. Of course, developing a healthy relationship with food from a young age can't hurt lifelong good digestive health.

With all that being said, some of these digestive problems are chronic and untreatable only if not caught early on. So, by teaching your kids to verbalise their pain and learning to listen to your body, you can give yourself and your loved ones the care they need. Knowledge is half the game; make sure you win it!