Chimes
Almost everyone has some kind of GI disorder in their life. Common GI symptoms include occasional nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, flatulence, stomachache, and abdominal cramps.
Some of these symptoms can be brought on by stress in one’s life however other difficulties include the flu, mild food poisoning, and the side effects of some medications.
Food allergies and food intolerance’s such as greasy and spicy foods along with alcohol and coffee can bring about GI symptoms.
There are also major GI disorders such as peptic ulcers, liver disorders, hepatitis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease.
Other problems include peritonitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, tumors of the GI track and intestinal parasites.
Your Teeth, Gums and dentures:
Problems with your teeth and gums can lead to GI problems
Constipation:
This GI problem may seem low on the scale of problematic, but someone with constipation needs to get on a regular bowel movement schedule and eat a high fiber diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals and breads, along with taking in 1500-2000 ml of fluids each day.
Diarrhea
A person can get relief by eating small portions of bland foods that are low in fiber and high in calories and protein.
Peptic Ulcers and Gastritis
A bland diet that consists of 6 small meals a day, and eliminating irritating substances such as coffee, tobacco and alcohol.
Types of Medications used for GI problems:
Antiflatulents: for use in diverticulitis, peptic ulcers
Antiemetics: For nausea and vomiting
Antispasmodics and Anticholinergics: for peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome
Antacids: hyperacidity in peptic ulcers
If you have some of the above symptoms, a high fiber diet may be in order. Many individuals’ GI symptoms resolve with that one change. So get some more fruits and vegetables into your diet and add some whole grains.
Taken in part from: Gauwitz, D. (2011) Administering Medications. Minneapolis, Minn. McGraw-Hill