Symptoms of Digestion Problems

The digestive system is responsible for consuming foods, breaking down the nutrients from consumed products, absorbing the nutrients into the body, and removing the indigestible elements. Digestion involves the following phases: digestion, secretion, movement, absorption and elimination. The digestive tract is 18 to 27 feet long, spanning from the mouth to anus; with such a large distance, it makes sense why there is a wide variety of diseases and symptoms of this system.

Features

• The digestive tract begins at the mouth and continues through the throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestine, rectum and anus. Additionally, the digestive system includes the pancreas, liver and gallbladder, which are not a part of the digestive tract. A condition affecting any of these areas may affect digestion and lead to symptoms. It may be difficult to determine the cause of the symptom, so it is important to talk to a healthcare professional. The easiest and most notable symptoms of digestive disorders are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.

Nausea and Vomiting

• Nausea and vomiting can have many causes, even something as simple as food poisoning or an allergy, but unexplained nausea may be a sign of something more serious like an infection in the stomach, colon or appendix. Other explanations may be an ulcer, hernia or gallstones. If nausea and vomiting are long lasting, the symptoms can mean something more harmful like an obstruction or stomach cancer.

Diarrhea

• Diarrhea is a common symptom of food poisoning or another digestive tract infection where the stools are almost entirely liquid. Many types of viruses, bacteria and parasites can cause diarrhea and may need to be treated. Other conditions with diarrhea as a symptom are: food intolerances, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and diverticulitis. Diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration if not treated, so it is important to seek medical care if diarrhea persists.

Constipation

• Constipation occurs when it may be difficult or painful to pass a stool or the stool is more dry than normal. Constipation may be a sign of colon disorders like polyps, cancers or tumors. It can be due to a bowel obstruction or inflammation. Constipation is commonly seen in people who have Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome. There may be other intestinal disorders leading to constant constipation and discomfort that need to be seen by a physician.

Other Symptoms

• Other symptoms of digestive problems include spitting up food involuntarily, feeling choked up, difficulty swallowing, blood in stools, pain in the upper stomach, abdominal pain, chest or back pain, bloating, constant gas, decreased or loss of appetite, excessive hunger, food allergies or sensitivities, indigestion and painful elimination. It is important to remember that not all of these symptoms are indicative of a digestive problem and the symptom may be due to another cause.

Considerations

• If any of the symptoms above sound familiar, especially in the presence of pain or bleeding, it is extremely important to contact your medical professional as it may be a sign of a digestive problem or even something more serious. Be sure to keep a log of all your symptoms and share it with your doctor.