Sometimes, when trying to ascertain the state of your natural health, it takes understanding the hidden triggers of any symptoms you have. On that note, let’s take a peek at five hidden reasons you might be experiencing digestive problems.
1. Fructose Intoleranc
This is a hereditary disorder in which your body cannot metabolize fructose (a sugar molecule), resulting in its build-up in the liver, kidneys, and intestines. It causes abdominal pain and vomiting. You might suspect there is a fructose problem should you experience these symptoms continually after eating foods that claim it as an ingredient. For a diagnosis, see your doctor. The cure here is to avoid fructose and steer clear of sucrose and sorbitol, two related sugars. Gather nutritional information to see which foods are safe. A small list of safe foods includes milk, eggs, most meat, poultry, fish, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, green beans, green peppers, salad greens, potatoes, spaghetti, butter, margarine, olive oil, coffee & tea, vegetable juice, and soups.
2. Gallstones
As many as one in 12 Americans may have gallstones at any given time. They often go unseen and become a hidden cause of digestive trouble. They occur when calcium, cholesterol and salts that form in your gallbladder harden and form stones. They can grow as big as a golf ball. Digestive symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, and pain after every meal. To cure it, drink a ton of water and keep a diet low in sugar, fat, and refined products and high in fiber. The best foods for gallstones are cabbage, oranges, peas, and carrots.
3. Gas
Gas inside you can cause bloating, cramps, and indigestion. Your body expels gas about 14 times a day (belching included). Gas comes when you swallow air and when certain foods are broken down in your colon. For beans and peas, boil them and simmer until tender. Then rinse them off and cook again in fresh water. This will negate many indigestible sugars that produce gas. Also limit saturated fat, which exacerbates gas. Eat slowly, take an antacid only when necessary, and limit air intake while eating and drinking.
4. H. pylori
This bacterium is a hidden cause behind many stomach ulcers. It leads to inflammation in your intestines and toxins that can cause gastric and peptic ulcers. Symptoms include pain during an empty stomach, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Aside from antibiotics, natural medicines include deglycyrrhizinated licorice supplements that heal your stomach.
5. Celiac Disease
One in every 133 people in North America develop celiac disease, which slowly damages your small intestine and impairs your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. It starts with cramping, bloating, fatigue, gas, muscle cramps, and chronic diarrhea. The disease is based on sensitivity to gluten — the protein found in rye, wheat, and barley that happen to be ingredients in a great number of common foods.