"It is estimated that some form of digestive disorder affects more than 100 million people in America. That is more than half of the U.S. population."



-Life Extension web site, August 2006

Digestive disorders are common because they take many forms. Your entire digestive tract, from your mouth to your colon, could potentially fall prey to digestive disorders. The best way to deal with digestive disorders troubling you is to never have them to begin with. In order to do this, we must examine the causes of the most common digestive disorders.

-Nutrition

Low-fiber diets and low fluid intake can lead to digestive disorders. It's important to drink plenty of water and fluids, and to get a good amount of fiber regularly as part of your diet. Consuming a lot of dairy products can lead to future digestive disorders, as well, so cut back when you can.

-Pregnancy

Simply being pregnant can lead to many very common digestive disorders, many of which thankfully end once the baby is delivered. Your doctor can help you with relief from symptoms of digestive disorders that are baby-friendly.

-Exercise

Getting less exercise than your body needs can lead to digestive disorders, because foods are not being burned away and fat is not being burned off as much or as often as needed.

-Stress

Too much stress can affect all your body's systems, including your digestive tract. Many digestive disorders, such as ulcers, arise from too much stress. Practice relaxation techniques to avoid this consequence.

-Resisting Your Body's Natural Urges

Lots of people dislike using public restrooms, and for good reason. However, resisting your body's natural urges to have bowel movements for any reason can lead to much more painful digestive disorders.

-Medications

Some medications, and misuse of medications, can lead to troubling digestive disorders. The overuse of laxatives, for instance, can cause serious future problems in digestion. Antacid medications that contain calcium or aluminum can create digestive disorders, and some medicines such a antidepressants, iron pills, and pain medication can create digestive troubles as well.

Types of Digestive Disorders

The most common types of the digestive disorders that might be troubling you include temporary problems such as constipation and heartburn. However, these digestive disorders can blossom into more serious issues such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Crohn's Disease, colitis, and hemorrhoids.

Symptoms of Digestive Disorders

There are five basic symptoms associated with all types of digestive disorders. These symptoms include:

-Bloating

A feeling of heaviness or fullness accompanied by a swelling look in the trunk of the body, bloating is a very often reported symptom of many digestive disorders.

-Abdominal Pain

Pain in the abdomen, or stomach, is common to many. When this pain is frequent or chronic, however, it could be the harbinger of a more serious digestive disorder.

-Nausea/Vomiting

The inability to keep foods down, or the feeling of an upset stomach after eating, can be symptoms of digestive disorders. Should nausea and vomiting occur on anything more than a rare occasion, you should consult with a physician.

-Constipation

Frequent constipation could be symptoms of digestive disorders such as IBS or Crohn's Disease, and should be reported to a physician.

-Diarrhea

Should this symptom occur frequently, you should consult with your family doctor. Frequent diarrhea often heralds a digestive disorder, and in most cases symptoms of diarrhea are easily treated.

Treatment Options for Troubling Digestive Disorders

Are digestive disorders troubling you, or do you suspect that you may have a digestive disorder that requires treatment? Please seek the aid of those in the medically profession. There are a variety of treatments available for digestive disorders, and no one should have to live with the discomfort that such disorders can bring.