Digestive disorders are conditions where the body does not function properly in digesting food and managing waste. They can arise from various causes.
In an interview with our reporter, nutritionist Nguyen Thi Kim Hai from the Institute of Nutrition Research and Consulting stated that digestive disorders are one of the common issues today.
Irregular eating habits or excessive consumption of protein and fats can lead to digestive disorders. (Photo: Pexels).
The symptoms of digestive disorders depend on the specific cause. However, in general, this condition often presents with some easily recognizable signs such as:
- Abdominal bloating: A constant feeling of fullness and discomfort, especially after meals. Undigested food can remain in the digestive tract, leading to this condition.
- Nausea and vomiting: Irritants in the digestive tract can cause patients to feel nauseous and vomit.
- Belching and acid reflux: Disorders in the stomach and duodenum often lead to belching and acid reflux.
- Dull abdominal pain: Almost everyone with digestive disorders experiences abdominal pain. The pain may occur in the upper abdomen, stomach area, or lower abdomen. It often appears after eating, particularly after consuming spicy, acidic foods or when experiencing food poisoning.
- Abnormal bowel movements: Signs include diarrhea, constipation, and frequent trips to the bathroom.
- Loss of appetite: Patients with digestive issues often experience a bitter taste in their mouths and a lack of desire to eat.
Causes of Digestive Disorders
Digestive disorders are not diseases themselves but the result of certain underlying causes. However, if this condition persists and is not treated properly, patients may develop related gastrointestinal diseases, such as colorectal cancer.
Abdominal pain, acid reflux, diarrhea, and nausea are common symptoms of digestive disorders. (Photo: Shutterstock.)
Some causes of this condition include:
- Dietary habits: Consuming unclean food or substances that negatively affect the digestive system can disrupt the digestive process. Additionally, irregular eating times and habits can also contribute to this issue.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: This is a common cause among adults. Alcohol disrupts the stomach’s pH balance and washes away digestive enzymes, affecting the food digestion process.
- Stomach-related diseases: Conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, etc. impact the digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- Imbalance in gut microbiota: The underlying cause of this imbalance is often the overuse of antibiotics, particularly common among children.
- Non-digestive tract diseases: Psychological stress or prolonged late-night activities can stimulate the vagus nerve, increasing digestive secretions, especially gastric acid, which can lead to digestive disorder symptoms.
In addition to the above causes, digestive disorders in children may arise from:
- Weak immune systems, particularly in children who do not receive breast milk or are not exclusively breastfed.
- Children running around immediately after eating, which affects the longitudinal, circular, and oblique muscles in the digestive tract.
- Children entering the weaning phase, where their microbiota is not fully developed, making them unaccustomed to digesting solid foods. Undigested food allows harmful bacteria to thrive.
Dietary Considerations
According to Dr. Hai, to ensure food safety during selection, preparation, and storage, individuals should practice cooking food thoroughly, limit raw or rare dishes, eat regularly, and avoid overeating or waiting too long to eat.
Those with stomach issues should avoid stimulating foods such as overly spicy, sour, or fatty foods.
Individuals experiencing prolonged diarrhea should avoid high-fiber foods and limit sugar-rich items like honey, juice, and lactose-containing dairy products.
If you have a history of irritable bowel syndrome, you should avoid gas-producing foods such as cabbage, honey, and milk… Those with this syndrome should limit or avoid foods high in sugar and fat in their daily diet.
Additionally, you should be cautious when consuming alcoholic beverages, only drinking up to the recommended limit of 2 units of alcohol per day for men and one unit for women (one unit of alcohol equals one 330 ml can of beer, 100 ml of wine, or 30 ml of spirits).
To promote good digestive health, Dr. Hai recommends consuming more of the following food groups:
- Probiotic-rich foods: Fermented foods like kimchi or pickled vegetables are excellent for digestion. Eating yogurt is also a great way to supplement beneficial bacteria. However, it is essential to clearly differentiate between probiotics and digestive enzymes to avoid confusion.
- High-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are very beneficial for digestive function. They can prevent constipation, nourish colon mucosa cells, balance gut microbiota, and help maintain a healthy digestive system.
- Hydration: Drinking enough water daily helps cleanse the digestive system, soften stools, and prevent constipation. Research indicates that adults need about 0.04 liters/kg/day. For example, if you weigh 50 kg, you need approximately 2 liters of water per day.
- Regular exercise: Engaging in at least 30 minutes of exercise daily and five days a week helps maintain digestive function and regulates the intestines to effectively prevent constipation. Furthermore, regular exercise brings numerous other health benefits.
- Stress management: Stress can lead to various digestive issues such as inflammation, loss of appetite, bloating, and cramps.
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