The human digestive system carries a unique procedure when it comes to digesting products. It utilises both chemical and mechanical methods and then transforms the food into energy for the human body.
This energy, along with the nutrients, helps with growth, cell repair and also enables people to conduct all their regular activities. But digestion consists of countless stages. The body systems, the tissues and the organs all work together to help with food digestion.
They help break down all the complicated food molecules and then scatter them across the human body. These molecules provide energy to the body. The digestion starts from the mouth and then finishes with the exertion of waste.
But on certain occasions, the Digestive health might get disrupted due to certain factors or aspects. In this post, you will learn about various factors that can affect digestion. Let's find out!
Aspects that affect the digestion
You will come across certain factors affecting digestion, but there are some which are popular and important. These are:
Social support
You might not know this, but a person's mental health can certainly have an impact on their nervous and immune system. According to some studies, it has come to light that people with excellent social support will have a strong and healthy immune system.
This means that if he/she is injured, their wounds will heal quickly. This is also the same for people who are receiving cancer treatment. They will respond to the treatment a lot better when they have an excellent immune system.
But for people who have superficial or some social connections apart from their close ones, it's certainly not good for their immune system. Many individuals will have Digestive problems if they do not have proper social support.
To improve social support, several GI physicians are opting for the "social-psychological-biological" approach to treat such patients. There are many things that are included when it comes to your digestive system.
That's why physicians look for various ways to help resolve such problems in their patients. They will begin by learning whether you are experiencing stress or have a history of trauma. That way, they can have a good understanding of your issue and offer an effective treatment.
Crohn's Disease
You might have heard about Crohn's Disease. But this condition is also a part of IBD [Inflammatory Bowel Disease]. IBD is a digestive condition, and there are many individuals who suffer from it.
Being one of the most popular digestive disorders, Crohn's Disease occurs in any part of the GI tract. But it mainly affects the large intestine and the terminal ileum. These two parts are linked with the ends of the small bowel and the starting of the large intestine.
But physicians are not exactly sure why exactly does this condition take place. But they believe that it occurs due to family history or genetics. Fever, weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain and rectal bleeding are some of the common signs of Crohn's Disease.
Doctors say that the treatment for this condition depends heavily on the symptoms that a patient experiences. Some of the treatment options that are provided for this condition are surgical procedures, topical pain relievers and even immunosuppressants.
Working Out
People conduct workouts regularly to keep themselves fit and healthy. It can also improve the presence of microbial species, enhance the commensal bacteria development and also enrich the microflora diversity.
But you need to remember one thing, when you have a healthy gut, and your whole body will be in great condition. So, when you work out or exercise way too much, it can affect your digestion greatly.
So, instead of conducting intense workouts, you should opt for normal exercises that are highly beneficial for your body. Spend some time to know and understand what exactly your body needs and how you can improve it through exercise.
Understanding the human body can be a bit complicated, but it's possible to do so if you have the knowledge and the right mindset. Once you learn what is right for your body, you can prevent yourself from overexercising.
Hemorrhoids
Following an improper diet can lead to unwanted digestion issues. But Hemorrhoids can also affect the digestive system. Are you aware of that? Well, it's true. If you find blood on the toilet bowl during bowel movements, you might have hemorrhoids.
Experts have pointed out that around 75% of individuals, especially those who are over 45, suffer from this condition. Here, hemorrhoids are known as swollen veins, which are found in the lower part of the rectum or inside the anus.
It can be extremely itchy and painful, especially during the time of bowel movement. The lack of fiber in the diet, straining at the time of bowel movements, diarrhea and constipation are some of the causes of hemorrhoids.
For treatment, you need to drink plenty of water, work out properly and consume more fiber. That way it will certainly lessen the symptoms of hemorrhoids. You can also treat the condition at home with OTC [over-the-counter] suppositories and creams.
But if you don't get relief from the prescribed medications, you can opt for the "Hemorrhoidectomy". In this process, the hemorrhoids will get surgically removed. Opting for the surgical method will also prevent problems with digestion.
Sleeping
Getting proper sleep will not just help you feel energized but can also reduce the chances of digestive disorders from taking place. Experts have pointed out that gut health and sleep have a give-and-take kind of relationship.
This means when you don't get proper sleep, it can increase stress levels and it will unbalance the gut microbiome. Remember, the microbiome contains trillions of fungi, bacteria and various other kinds of microbes.
This plays a crucial part in a person's entire health. It's mainly because they help in controlling digestion and keeps the immune system in great condition.
Anal Fissure
The anal fissures are oval-shaped and tiny tears that are located at the anus's lining. This is one of the well-known digestive system diseases, which has similar symptoms to hemorrhoids and causes straining, pain and bleeding during bowel movements.
Over 250,000 individuals have said that they suffered from anal fissures, especially in nations like the United States. To prevent this condition, you need to follow a high-fiber diet. It will make the stool bulky and well-formed, and this type of diet is the best treatment for such conditions.
You will also come across several medications which can lessen the pain in the anal sphincter muscles. Sitz baths and topical anesthetics are some of the treatment options that can reduce pain. But if the condition is pretty severe, you might have to get surgery done for it.
Gallstones
When you want to know how to improve gut health, one of the soundest ways you can do so is by getting rid of gallstones if you have them. So, what are "Gallstones"? Well, they are hard and small deposits that occur in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is known to secrete and store bile for the digestion process.
There are countless individuals who suffer from this condition each year, and Gallstones will only form when the substances which create the bile become a lot concentrated. This leads to the formation of stones in the gallbladder.
Gallstones easily block the passage that leads to the gallbladder and then right to the intestines. The blockage can lead to extreme pain in the upper right section of the abdomen. To get rid of these stones, you need to opt for the surgical method.
Stress
When you're looking for ways on how to improve your gut health, you should begin by managing your stress levels. It's mainly because the high level of stress can alter the brain-gut axis. Gastrointestinal signs which take place because of stress are:
- Lower Abdominal Pain
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
To make sure that you don’t experience this type of problem, taking care of the stress levels is extremely vital. You will not just feel healthy, but the digestive system will also stay healthy.
Overheating
As a foodie, you will surely like to eat all types of food products. But eating too much can lead to health-related issues. Remember, overeating can shut your body down.
It will also put a lot of stress on your organs. When you start consuming way too much food, you will feel heavier and uncomfortable. This is surely not a good sign for your body and might lead to obesity.
You have to make a proper routine on when and what you should consume. Start by creating a chart, and list down the food items you must consume during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Alcohol
Drinking is certainly something that you must avoid at all costs. It's literally poison for the body and will not just damage the organs but will also make them vulnerable and weak.
Furthermore, alcohol can lead to cause of liver and kidney-related diseases, which can be pretty severe. Instead of consuming alcohol, you can replace it with fruit juices and water, which will keep your organs safe and healthy.
Fizzy Drinks
There are so many fizzy drinks available in the market, and people across the globe consume them in massive amounts. But what they don't realize is that these types of drinks can cause issues within the digestive system.
Even though you might know unhealthy these drinks can be, but certainly have no knowledge about the reason behind them. But many experts say that consuming cold drinks will slow down the digestion process.
When the digestion process becomes slower than before, the body will start to work much harder to make sure that the food gets digested properly. That's why it will be much better to avoid these food products and choose some healthy alternatives.
Also, you can check our range of
Conclusion
Proper digestion of food is extremely important for the human body. It will help the body receive all the nutrients and energy so that it can function well. It will also enable you to conduct all types of activities without feeling worn out quickly.
But at times, digestive diseases, improper diet and even lack of sleep can disrupt the digestion process. So, the best way you can avoid all these things is by preventing them from occurring.
FAQs
1. What are 5 common problems related to the digestive system?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal hernias, lactose intolerance, cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome are common digestive problems. Digestive diseases are most commonly characterised by bleeding, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn, discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.
2. What are 4 factors that affect digestion?
- Stress
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Social support
3. How do I know if my digestion is bad?
Constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn, gas, bloating, and frequent discomfort could all indicate that your stomach is struggling to process food and eliminate waste. Most of the time, you feel exhausted. Gastrointestinal abnormalities may be present in chronic tiredness patients.
4. Can I sleep after eating?
You should avoid lying down or sleeping for at least three hours after eating. Food travels through the stomach's organs during this time of digestion before entering the small intestine. In addition to monitoring the amount of time that passes, you should monitor the amount of food eaten.
5. What causes poor digestion?
Chronic digestive issues are associated with lifestyle factors such as stress levels, tobacco usage, and food. Your digestive system may also suffer greatly after abdominal surgery. After surgery, abdominal adhesions, which are made up of tissue bands that resemble scars, typically occur in patients.
