Why an adult’s stomach does not digest food and the method of treatment. Fat is not absorbed in the body, treatment

Poor digestion of food is a blocker for muscle growth. Professional athletes do not progress precisely for this reason. Recovery, energy boost and muscle growth. This also applies to people uninitiated in sports life. Performance depends not only on the right products . But also how well they are absorbed by the body.

It is not clear why coaches and physiologists do not consider this. This issue is extremely important and can completely hinder any progress in muscle or strength growth.

Why is quality food absorption so important?

The better the absorption, the more energy. The better the process of converting organic food into waste by our body. The higher the performance the body will show.
Even the most strenuous training and reception auxiliary drugs will not improve the result. If you cannot get enough energy from food, there will be no progress. On the contrary, health will only worsen, and the person will lose weight.

What are the main causes of poor digestion?

Digestion and the ability to effectively digest food are very important. There are a number of reasons why a person does not do this effectively. Of these, two main directions can be distinguished.

The first direction is that a person has diseases and this is not uncommon in our time.

For example, if the enzyme is not processed, undigested food may enter the small intestine. This may also cause bloating. There are also painful sensations and murmur.

Or it happens that a person gets germs or diseases. All this will significantly slow down the absorption of food and reduce its effectiveness. A person may spend a lot of money on expensive food. And leave all your efforts in the toilet.

It is necessary to diagnose the body and eliminate the causes and disease. If it exists, of course.

The second reason is Not proper nutrition. Wrong combination of foods and incorrect distribution of calories. This is also a common reason poor absorption and digestion.

Try to consume carbohydrates in the morning and after workouts. In the evening, give preference to protein foods. The body has accumulated enough energy during the day. Now required building material for the growth of muscle tissue.

Proper nutrition is the key to a healthy lifestyle.

During normal organ function digestive system A healthy adult takes food 3 to 5 times during the day. It is fully digested and absorbed with the complete breakdown of its nutrients into molecules with further distribution throughout the body, conversion into energy and a resource that ensures the activity of the whole organism. If the food consumed is poorly digested, then the person begins to experience heaviness in the stomach, dyspepsia develops with signs of nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. The most common cause of this pathological condition is a disadvantage digestive enzymes, which secrete pancreatic tissue. The presence of other factors and secondary diseases that disrupt the stable digestion of food cannot be ruled out.

All symptoms of decreased organ activity gastrointestinal tract in terms of processing consumed food, they are felt directly by the sick person and can be observed by loved ones who are in his environment.

Signs that the cooking process is not going well are: as follows.

Unusual severity

Immediately after lunch, breakfast or dinner, severe heaviness occurs in the stomach cavity. It seems as if a stone was placed inside the stomach. At the same time, the person has the feeling that the stomach has completely stopped and temporarily stopped its functional activity.

Lack of appetite

In the morning, a person feels that his stomach is empty and the urge to eat is really present. As soon as he has had breakfast, heaviness is followed by complete apathy towards food. Appetite disappears until the evening and quite often people suffering from insufficient good digestion, go to bed with the same feeling of pathological satiety as in the morning when the dish was just eaten. The desire to eat returns again only the next day.

Nausea and vomiting

Throughout the day, the patient experiences stomach cramps, which sometimes intensify, then the condition stabilizes and for a while it seems that the illness has subsided. In some cases, the digestive system cannot cope with the load and all the food that was eaten the day before comes back in the form of vomit. At the same time, the feeling of hunger is completely absent.

Diarrhea

Almost immediately, when the process of food digestion stops, the gastrointestinal tract begins an urgent evacuation of those food debris that are located in different parts of the intestine. In addition to vomiting, loosening of the stool is also used. In this regard, the patient develops liquid diarrhea, which can have a one-time manifestation or occur 3-5 times a day.

In especially severe cases, watery stools appear every 2-3 hours after the next meal.

Weakness and dizziness

Due to dehydration of the body due to diarrhea, as well as the lack of sufficient amounts of nutrients in the form of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as the main component of energy metabolism in the body, the process of gradual depletion of cells of all human tissues and organs begins. Therefore, blood pressure decreases, loss of strength and physical weakness occur, bordering on a state of drowsiness.

Pain inside the abdomen

In the area where the stomach and intestines are located, a stable pain syndrome, which gets worse as it gets worse general health sick. If the reason for poor digestion of food is a lack of digestive enzymes, then acute pain appears in the left hypochondrium, where the pancreas is located.

Temperature rise

Disturbances in the digestive system are always stressful for the whole body. With prolonged dysfunction, the intestinal mucosa begins to become inflamed, the balance of beneficial and pathogenic microflora is disrupted, which can cause a slight increase in body temperature to a level of 37.1 - 37.6 degrees Celsius.

In some cases, the pathological condition intensifies in patients when meat, animal fats, legumes, butter, bacon. This is explained by the fact that the gastrointestinal tract needs to spend much more effort, energy and enzymes on these types of products in order to ensure not only their digestion, but also high-quality absorption. Therefore, during the period of exacerbation of the disease, it is recommended to limit yourself in taking products of this type.

Why food is poorly digested in an adult, the causes of the disease

There are a large number of factors, the presence of which negatively affects the performance of the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and other vital organs. Despite this, they highlight following reasons poor digestion of food, which are most common in medical practice:

alcohol abuse, smoking and taking drugs (all these harmful addictions cause intoxication of the body varying degrees severity, which inevitably leads to the accumulation of poisons in the liver and the development of dyspeptic manifestations);
overeating and improperly organized diet (eating foods with low biological benefits, saturating the menu with fatty, smoked, pickled, spicy dishes, leads to gastrointestinal upset);
inflammatory processes in the tissues of the pancreas (this pathological condition of this organ is fraught with the fact that it ceases to synthesize the required volume of digestive enzymes that ensure stable and high-quality digestion of food);
hormonal imbalance with a decrease in secretions responsible for tone muscle fibers, ensuring the functioning of organs abdominal cavity;
chronic cholecystitis (a disease that affects the gallbladder when insufficient quantity bile and all fats consumed during meals are not digested, which causes an emergency stop of the stomach, or a significantly reduced activity);
oncological processes in the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract ( cancerous tumor completely destroys all layers of epithelium in the area of its localization, therefore poor digestion food may also arise for this reason);
food poisoning when products were consumed that were stored improperly temperature conditions, which ultimately led to their damage;
entry into the gastrointestinal tract of severe strains of bacterial, viral and fungal infections that provoke an acute inflammatory process and prolonged indigestion;
recently undergone surgical intervention on the abdominal organs, after restoration of which the patient’s appetite returns again, and the digestion process returns to normal.

Also, quite often, this kind of problem with digesting food develops against the background of gastritis, peptic ulcer, erosion of the duodenal mucosa, viral infection liver (hepatitis of various strains), intestinal obstruction.

Treatment - what to do if the stomach does not digest food?

If you notice symptoms indicating a lack of digestive cycle, you should immediately make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. It is quite possible that due to a prompt examination and prescribed therapy, it will be possible to avoid a large number of complications and quickly get rid of secondary ailments that cause poor functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The most commonly used therapeutic methods are aimed at restoring stable digestion of food:

preparations containing artificial digestive enzymes that compensate for the lack of secretions produced by the pancreas;
antibacterial and antivirals if the cause of the pathological condition of the gastrointestinal tract is due to the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the body;
sorbents providing absorption toxic substances with their further evacuation outside the body in order to facilitate the work of the liver and kidneys;
antispasmodics (used to relieve attacks of nausea and vomiting if all food has already been removed from the digestive system, and stomach spasms continue to bother the person);
pills and intramuscular injections containing synthetic hormones when there is an imbalance of these substances in the patient’s body;
cleansing enemas and laxatives, when poor digestion of food is caused by fecal blockages and the patient has been long period suffers from constipation for a long time;
chemotherapeutic agents for a certain category of patients whose examination results revealed the presence of foreign tumors of a malignant nature in their body;
drugs intended to cleanse liver tissue (these are special medicines, which relieve the work of this digestive organ, increasing its activity in the absorption of fats).

Depending on whether the patient has one or another symptom, concomitant diseases, it is possible that the attending gastroenterologist will decide to include other categories of medications in the therapeutic course. The type of drug, its dosage and duration of administration are selected individually for the characteristics and specifics of the functioning of the digestive system of each patient individually.

Malabsorption, or malabsorption, is a condition in which the nutrients entering the small intestine are poorly absorbed due to inflammation, disease, or injury. Malabsorption can occur due to many reasons, such as cancer, celiac disease, granulomatous disease (Crohn's disease). By identifying the symptoms early and taking the necessary measures, you can recover from malabsorption and prevent its occurrence in the future.

Recognizing symptoms

1. Know the risk factors for malabsorption. Malabsorption can occur in anyone, but there are factors that increase the risk of this condition. Knowing these factors will help you identify the disease in time and successfully recover from it.

2. Reveal possible symptoms . Malabsorption causes a variety of symptoms of varying severity, depending on which nutrients are not being absorbed by the intestines. Recognizing symptoms early will help you begin proper treatment as soon as possible.

The most common signs are various gastrointestinal disorders: chronic diarrhea, bloating, abdominal cramps, gas accumulation. Excess fat may cause your stool to change color and increase in volume.
Common symptoms include changes in body weight, especially noticeable weight loss.
Malabsorption may be accompanied by increased fatigue and weakness.
With malabsorption, anemia and slow blood clotting are also observed. Anemia results from a lack of vitamin B12, folate, or iron. Poor clotting blood is associated with a lack of vitamin K.
Dermatitis and night blindness(decreased vision at dusk) may indicate a malabsorption of vitamin A.
If there is a lack of potassium and other electrolytes, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) may occur.

3. Observe your body. If you suspect you are developing malabsorption, take a close look at how your body is functioning. This will help you not only detect the relevant symptoms, but also make a timely diagnosis and begin treatment.

Look for stools that are light-colored, soft, or too bulky, or stools that are too foul-smelling. Such stool may also be difficult to flush, sticking to the walls of the toilet.
Take a closer look to see if your stomach is bloated or if gas accumulates after consumption. certain products.
Fluid accumulation may cause your feet to swell.

4. Note general weakness. Malabsorption deprives your body of vitality. This may result in bones becoming more fragile and muscles becoming weaker. By paying attention to the deteriorating condition of your bones, muscles and even hair, you can recognize malabsorption in time and begin treatment.

Your hair may become too dry and begin to fall out a lot.
If you are a teenager, if you become ill, you may notice that your body does not grow and muscles do not develop. Muscles may even weaken and atrophy.
Some forms of malabsorption may be accompanied by bone pain and even neuropathy.

Diagnosis and treatment

1. Visit a doctor. If you experience one or more of the above symptoms and/or are at increased risk, contact your doctor immediately. Early diagnosis will allow timely treatment to begin.

Your doctor will be able to diagnose malabsorption by carefully reviewing your medical history.
To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe you various studies and analyses.

2. Describe your symptoms to your doctor. Before visiting the doctor, remember the anxiety symptoms you are experiencing and write them down. This will make it easier for you to explain your condition to your doctor without leaving out any important information.

Tell your doctor in detail about the symptoms you are experiencing and how you are feeling. For example, if you suffer from bloating and cramping, describe your condition using terms such as “sharp,” “dull,” or “severe pain.” Similar epithets are suitable to describe many physical symptoms.
Tell your doctor how long you have been experiencing certain symptoms. The more accurately you remember when your symptoms started, the easier it will be for your doctor to determine their cause.
Be sure to mention how often you experience anxiety symptoms. This will also help the doctor determine the cause of your symptoms. For example, you might say, “I have gas and heavy bowel movements every day,” or “My feet sometimes swell.”
Tell your doctor about recent changes in your lifestyle (such as increased stress levels).
Tell your doctor about the medications you take, including those that may worsen your asthma.

3. Hand over everything necessary tests, undergo research and get a diagnosis. If your doctor thinks you may have malabsorption, after a general exam and medical history, he or she may order additional tests to rule out other conditions. The results of these tests and studies can confirm the diagnosis of malabsorption.

5. Blood and urine tests may be required. If your doctor suspects you have malabsorption, he or she may ask you to have blood and urine tests. These tests help identify deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as proteins, vitamins and microelements, that lead to anemia.

The doctor will likely check plasma viscosity, vitamin B12 levels, red blood cell folic acid levels, iron levels, blood clotting, calcium levels, antibody concentrations, and serum magnesium levels.

6. Be prepared for research to see what's going on inside your body. To check for damage caused to your body by malabsorption, your doctor may order x-rays and/or ultrasound examination, as well as a computed tomography scan, which will allow you to better assess the condition of your intestines.

X-ray examination and computed tomography will help the doctor not only diagnose malabsorption, but also determine where exactly it is observed. This will allow you to create the right treatment plan.
Your doctor may refer you to X-ray examination. You will need to sit still while the operator takes pictures of your small intestine. X-rays will help identify possible damage in this lower area of your intestine.
Your doctor may send you for a CT scan, which will require you to lie inside a scanning machine for a few minutes. A CT scan can help determine how badly your intestines are damaged and help guide the treatment needed.
An abdominal ultrasound can help identify problems with gallbladder, liver, pancreas, intestinal walls or lymph nodes.
You may be asked to drink an aqueous suspension of barium sulfate to help the operator see any possible pathologies better.

7. Consider taking a hydrogen test breath test . Your doctor may order a hydrogen breath test. This test will help identify lactose intolerance and malabsorption of lactose-like sugars, as well as outline an appropriate treatment plan.

During the test, you will be asked to exhale into a special reservoir.
After that you will be given a drink aqueous solution lactose, glucose or other sugar.
You will then have your breath taken every thirty minutes, analyzing the hydrogen content and assessing bacterial growth. Increased content hydrogen indicates deviations from the norm.

8. Collecting cell samples for biopsy. Less invasive methods may indicate problems in your intestines due to malabsorption. To identify these problems, your doctor may take a sample of intestinal tissue for further laboratory tests.

Typically, a sample of intestinal tissue for biopsy is taken during an endoscopy or colonoscopy.

9. Start treatment. Based on your specific diagnosis and severity of malabsorption, your doctor will prescribe a course of treatment for you. In mild forms of the disease, it is enough to take vitamins; in severe forms, hospitalization may be necessary.

Keep in mind that even with timely treatment, it will take some time for your malabsorption to resolve.

10. Replace missing nutrients. After your doctor determines which substances are not being absorbed in your intestines, he or she will prescribe vitamins and food additives, replenishing the lack of these substances in the body.

For mild and moderate forms of malabsorption, it is enough to take nutritional supplements with food or administer small doses of a nutrient solution intravenously.
Your doctor may advise you to adhere to special diet, rich nutrients. This diet will contain increased amount the nutrients you are missing.

Warnings

If you notice symptoms of malabsorption, make an appointment with your doctor immediately. Although you may be able to set yourself correct diagnosis(malabsorption), you will not be able to identify the root cause and choose the appropriate treatment.

What types of dyspepsia are there, how is diagnosis made and how exactly to treat this disease for adults and children? These questions will be answered in this article.

Digestion in the stomach

The stomach is a kind of tool for processing food. The stomach capacity is about 2.5-3 liters. Food enters it through the esophagus. At the very beginning, food is broken down into fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and what is not digested is sent to the initial part of the small intestine (duodenum). When a person eats food, special acids are produced in the stomach, which help it to be divided into organic matter and digest. The stomach has walls that reliably protect it from the effects of acids. Food can be digested from 15 minutes to several hours. The indicator depends on the composition, calorie content, and heat treatment of food products.

Reasons why the stomach cannot digest food

Common causes of dyspepsia are considered to be poor eating habits and insufficient knowledge of nutritional rules. Eating dry food and snacking on the run will sooner or later have a bad effect on your health. There are some foods that the body simply does not accept and thus rejects, which is why the stomach “stands”. Inconvenience and heaviness in the stomach can appear due to overly fatty, spicy, or sour foods. Alcoholic drinks can cause a number of inconveniences, since they can stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid, and burden the walls of the stomach with this.

Here are some other causes of dyspepsia:

slow metabolism when the digestive organs work poorly;
the presence of microbes in the gastric mucosa;
poor stimulation of the compartment gastric juice;
alcohol abuse in large quantities (applies to adults);
the presence of a disease - gastritis (can affect both adults and children).

There are known cases when it goes astray normal operation stomach due to hormonal imbalance (mostly in pregnant women). If a person feels unwell in the morning, experiences heaviness in the stomach long before breakfast, this indicates that he likes to eat heavily at night, which is strictly forbidden to do, since the stomach should rest at night just like the rest of the human organs. Knowing the reason why the stomach does not process food in any way allows you to start treatment on time, force you to follow a diet, and develop a certain eating routine.

Types of disease

Dyspepsia is divided into two groups: organic and functional. At organic process not detected serious damage organs of the gastrointestinal tract, only disruptions occur in their work. In functional cases, pathologies of the stomach and intestines are detected. These are much more serious violations. Dyspepsia is also divided by type of disease and depends on the reasons that provoked these diseases. For example, intestinal infection may become a provoking factor. Dyspepsia caused by it is divided into several types:

Salmonellosis. Accompanied by elevated body temperature, upset stomach, general weakness, vomiting.
Dysentery. Causes damage to the large intestine, manifested by diarrhea mixed with blood.
Intoxication. It is formed as a consequence of poisoning with some harmful substances, during past infections.

Dyspepsia with a lack of digestive enzymes is divided into types: gastrogenic, hepatogenic, pancreatogenic, enterogenic. In addition to these types of disease, there are others:

nutritional - a consequence of an incorrect lifestyle;
putrefactive - the result of eating too much meat and fish, perhaps not always fresh;
fatty - provoked by an excessive amount of fat in the daily menu;
fermentable form - occurs when food products such as beans, baked goods, sweets, as well as drinks in the form of kvass and beer are used.

Diagnostics

If the stomach does not digest food, with characteristic manifestations and symptoms of the disease, you should immediately resort to medical care to diagnose and confirm the presence of the disease. Firstly, you need to clearly and clearly, point by point, describe your symptoms and complaints to the specialist. Secondly, the doctor will determine what is better to prescribe - a laboratory test or a computer test. Computer includes ultrasound and tomography. Laboratory testing involves collecting blood for analysis and checking stool. Additionally, tests are carried out for Helicobacter pylori infection, stomach analysis using an endoscope, and, if necessary, using X-rays.

What to do?

In the event that a disturbance in the functioning of the stomach causes the presence of another disease ( viral type, peptic ulcer, acute or chronic gastritis, etc.), it is necessary to treat the second disease, and at the same time get rid of the symptoms of the first. Treatment of a stomach in which food is poorly digested is prescribed by taking medicines various actions. Diarrhea can be treated with anti-diarrhea medications, and constipation can be treated with laxatives. Fever knocked down by antipyretics.

Medicines

The doctor prescribes medications to eliminate the symptoms of the disease, these include:

enzyme enzymes that promote better functioning of the stomach - “Creon”, “Gastenorm Forte”;
painkillers that help eliminate stomach pain and normal functioning - “Drotaverin”, “Spazmalgon”;
Antihistamines that help reduce high stomach acidity - Clemaxin, Ranitidine.

If therapy is needed for a child, other, gentler drugs are prescribed.

Treatment with folk remedies

Dyspepsia can be successfully treated in children and adults with folk remedies, and recipes. Examples of popular recipes:

Celery. Take 1 tsp. ground celery root, pour 1 liter hot water and leave for 8 hours. Next, filter and drink 2 tbsp. l. during the day. If there is no root, then you can use and make an infusion from celery seeds and juice, the effect will be the same. A child will like celery juice as a medicine.
Dill. The plant is endowed with diversity useful properties, which are long to list. The most significant ones are the ability to improve digestion in children and adults, eliminate bloating and constipation, and have a diuretic effect. To prepare the decoction, take 1 tsp. dill seeds and pour boiling water, then strain and drink sip throughout the day.
Collection medicinal herbs can help normalize metabolism in the body in both children and adults. Take honey, aloe and red wine. Honey and wine 600 grams each, aloe - 300 grams. Grind aloe, add honey and wine. Mix the ingredients and take 1 tsp. on an empty stomach.

IN old age There is a need for enemas, since with age the metabolism becomes slower, not like in a child, so the digestive organs wear out, frequent constipation occurs, pain and cramps appear in the stomach, and intestinal clogging occurs. It is necessary to force an elderly patient to do an enema at least once a week. Before the procedure, drink a glass of infused wormwood herb, which will have beneficial effect on the digestive process.

Nutrition correction

With the help of a diet, you can alleviate and improve the condition of an adult and a child, especially during the period of taking medications. It is important to avoid fatty, fried, smoked, spicy, and salty foods. This also includes dishes fast food(hot dogs, pizza, hamburgers, etc.), as they contain a large amount of unhealthy fats. If you approach dietary nutrition with a positive attitude, your appetite will improve and, accordingly, the production of gastric juice will improve. This is why it is necessary to eat in a quiet, peaceful environment, so that no external stimuli distract you from such an important activity.

It is important to pay attention to the daily menu. It is recommended to select products good quality, without harmful components such as dyes and preservatives, so as not to burden the stomach. The compatibility of products is important, that is, you should not eat meat and apples at the same time, since meat is digested poorly and takes a long time, and apples quickly. An online food compatibility table will help. If you follow the recommendations, things will soon improve.

Regarding hot drinks, such as coffee or tea, which people are used to drinking immediately after eating, doctors are categorical - this is not recommended. Drinking hot drinks is allowed only an hour after or before meals. These rules must be followed for speedy recovery to keep yourself and your child healthy.

Digestive problems - causes of difficulty digesting food

Do you have difficulty digesting food? Is digestion difficult and slow? We investigate the causes (diseases and bad habits), remedies and what to do to relieve symptoms when they occur.

First of all, calm down, digestive problems are a very common disorder: suffice it to say that in Russia,% of visits to the doctor are due to difficulties with digesting food!

In most cases, to eliminate digestive disorders, it is enough to follow simple tips, such as improving your lifestyle or limiting certain foods and drinks; but in other cases, digestive difficulties may mask gastrointestinal or even extraintestinal disease.

Main causes of slow and difficult digestion

Digestive disorders such as heartburn, acidity and heaviness are very common in the Western world these days, and are mainly a consequence of lifestyle and diseases such as food or drug intolerance.

Let's look at them in more detail.

Bad habits that slow down digestion

Analyzing the points listed above, it is obvious that the main reasons for slow digestion are derived from personal habits, roughly speaking, poor lifestyle. Let's look at what aspects negatively affect the digestive system.

When you skip meals or eat a large portion at once, it exposes your gastrointestinal tract to excessive loads, but taking into account the fact that digestion occurs much slower and more labor-intensive than usual.

Also, fried foods significantly extend the digestion time, especially those that are 100% saturated with oil.

Alcohol is important factor, which delays gastric emptying (the effect depends on the dose: the more, the longer it takes to empty the stomach).

Cigarette smoke also slows down the secretion of acid in the stomach.

Besides, sedentary image may increase gastric emptying time and intestinal transit time.

Difficult to digest foods

Often, those who follow a healthy lifestyle may complain of digestive disorders associated with the consumption of certain foods or medications:

All starchy foods: You may have difficulty digesting pizza, bread, and cakes that are made using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae yeast or brewer's yeast. The cause may be yeast intolerance. Often, some sources of carbohydrates are high glycemic index Foods such as pasta or rice can also slow down digestion, especially if they are combined with foods containing a lot of fat: in these cases, it is recommended to eat whole grain foods and also keep your blood sugar levels under control.
Milk: people who are lactose intolerant or milk protein, often experience bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea after consuming cow's milk. You may suspect intolerance when indigestion is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, or constipation. A solution may be to use vegetable drinks such as soy, rice or almond milk.
Meat: It is difficult for all people to digest, especially fatty meats (veal, lamb and pork). The fats contained in it make digestion difficult and increase the time it takes for the stomach to empty.
Fish: As with meat, some types of fish can cause poor digestion. Risk areas include eel, mackerel, salmon and tuna.
Onions and garlic: They weaken the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve that separates the esophagus and stomach. Their use should be avoided in case of reflux and dyspepsia.
Spices: In particular, mint and pepper, which increase the heat and acidity.
Cabbage and tomatoes: Vegetables in general, being rich in fiber, speed up the emptying of the stomach and hence do not cause digestive problems. Only some of them, in particular, cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and turnips) can cause gas and bloating. Some people also complain of intolerance to tomatoes, the consumption of which is accompanied by hives, nausea, and fluid retention.

Taking medications and digestive disorders

Some medications can cause digestive problems, but these tend to occur with long-term treatment:

Potassium salts, are suitable for the treatment of hypertension, dehydration and replenishment of potassium deficiency. High doses potassium salts can cause ulcers, stomach upset and nausea.
Alendronates, used to treat osteoporosis, may cause esophageal ulcers, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain.
Antibiotics cause fermentation in the intestines and bloating because they kill intestinal flora.
Digitalis, used for heart disease, often causes lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, are one of the most common causes of gastritis and peptic ulcers because they reduce protective power gastric mucosa and increase the secretion of acidic substances.

Psychological Factors – How Anxiety and Depression Affect Digestion

Scientists have discovered close connection between digestive disorders and anxiety in people that evoke somatic emotions. Stress and emotional stress may cause difficulty digesting food, as in hysterical dyspepsia, but the mechanisms are still poorly understood.

Hormonal changes: pregnancy, cycle and menopause

Hormonal changes underlying menstrual cycles can interfere with digestive processes: an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone causes excessive bowel movement, often leading to episodes of constipation, diarrhea and digestive difficulties.

Hormonal changes, along with intense levels of stress, are responsible for poor digestion during menopause and pregnancy.

In particular, during pregnancy, the level of progesterone increases, which has a relaxing effect on the muscles and, accordingly, loss of tone of the lower esophageal sphincter. This makes it easier for stomach contents to rise into the esophagus. In addition, the intestinal muscles do not contract strongly enough, the intestinal contents move slowly and constipation occurs.

Difficulties with digesting food appear at the beginning of pregnancy, but the situation worsens from the fourth month, when the stomach begins to grow and the fetus puts pressure on the stomach and intestines. There are very few remedies against digestive difficulties during pregnancy, since such medications, due to high content calcium, should not be used by pregnant women.

Diseases and symptoms associated with poor digestion

Digestive disorders occur more often after eating and are often associated with banal gluttony.

Causes of slow digestion.

But sometimes the same symptoms can be associated with problems of the esophagus, stomach, liver and biliary tract, for example, if in old age digestive disorders occur half an hour after a meal, “intestinal ischemia” can be suspected.

In contrast, duodenal ulcers produce symptoms immediately during meals, and nausea before meals may indicate hepatobiliary dysfunction. Poor digestion is often associated with eating a large dinner after fasting all day.

Often discomfort occurs regardless of food intake, for example during sleep: in the case of people suffering from reflux disease. In this case, it may be useful to raise the head of the bed by 10 cm.

Below we explain which diseases can cause digestive problems and what symptoms they present.

Why food is poorly digested and how to avoid it

Due to the modern lifestyle, many people do not pay due attention to proper balanced diet. This factor provokes various pathologies digestive system. Also, such ailments are caused by constant stress and long-term use of medications.

The main signs of poor digestion are the following: constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, bloating after eating, excessive gas, heartburn. How to eliminate the symptoms of such a pathology and normalize the digestive process?

Causes of heavy and slow digestion

Poor digestion of food is considered a common disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, the treatment of which directly depends on the cause of the ailment. If there are disruptions in the digestive process, you need to contact a gastroenterologist to find out the root cause of this condition and determine a course of therapy. Poor digestion leads to the fact that vitamins, minerals, macro- and microelements are not absorbed properly. Adequate timely treatment will help correct the current situation.

Disturbances in the digestion of food are observed when increased acidity gastric juice. In this case, the symptoms are supplemented by heartburn, a feeling of heaviness in the epigastric region, and pain. To avoid complications that result from hypersecretion of gastric juice (the development of gastritis, ulcers and other diseases), it is necessary to take timely measures.

In most cases, the cause of slow digestion is poor diet. A sedentary lifestyle also acts as a provocateur of this pathology. Long-term use antibiotics and other drugs cause intestinal dysbiosis and other pathologies that complicate the process of assimilation of food by the body.

Before prescribing treatment, the doctor carefully examines aspects that have a negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract.

To avoid disruptions in the process of digesting food, it is important to follow some rules:

Fight excess weight.
Eliminate consumption of alcohol and soda.
Chew food thoroughly.
Lead an active lifestyle.
Eat a light, regular and balanced diet.
Stop smoking.
Avoid stressful situations.
Reduce your intake of anti-inflammatory medications.

Meals should be taken regularly and at the same time.

There should be at least 5-6 meals a day. Eat small portions. To avoid stress, reduce your consumption of fried, fatty foods, which can significantly lengthen the digestion process.

Alcoholic drinks inhibit gastric emptying. Cigarette smoke greatly inhibits the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which complicates the digestion of even light foods.

Medicines and junk food

Frustration from the outside digestive tract caused by some medications and food products. The following groups are recognized as the most difficult to digest foods:

Milk

If a person has intolerance to milk protein or lactose, then the clinical picture when consuming products containing it is as follows: diarrhea, bloating, pain. This symptomatology manifests itself against a background of nausea, dizziness, and difficulty defecating. By decision similar problem It becomes possible to replace this product with almond, soy or rice milk.

Starchy products

Some people have problems digesting cakes, pizza, regular bread and other baked goods. In some cases, the cause is yeast intolerance. Products that are a source of carbohydrates with a high glycemic index can cause slow digestion. Mainly rice and pasta.

Meat products

Digesting meat is a long process. Especially when it comes to lamb and pork. This is due to the fact that meat contains a large amount of fat, which complicates the process of digestion and absorption.

Tomatoes, cabbage

Most vegetables contain a lot of fiber, which promotes rapid digestion and emptying of the gastric cavity. However, some vegetables cause excessive gas, which makes digestion difficult. These products include: turnips, broccoli, Brussels sprouts. Some people have an intolerance to tomatoes, resulting in hives, swelling and nausea.

Garlic and onion

Despite the useful and medicinal properties These root vegetables help reduce the tone of the lower esophageal valve. For this reason, garlic and onions are not recommended for use in cases of dyspeptic syndrome and reflux.

As for medications, long-term or uncontrolled reception certain drugs lead to disorder digestive function. A similar side effect is possible if long-term therapy the following medications:

Alendronates – they are used in the treatment of osteoporosis. In some cases, they provoke diarrhea, nausea, pain in the abdomen, and the development of peptic ulcer of the esophagus;
Potassium salts – used in the treatment of high blood pressure, as well as dehydration. An increased dosage provokes nausea, ulcers and intestinal upset;
Digitalis is indicated for the treatment of pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Provokes vomiting and nausea, disrupts appetite;
Antibiotics - capable of stimulating fermentation processes in the intestinal cavity, causing bloating and dysbacteriosis, as they disrupt healthy microflora;
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example Aspirin, provoke various disruptions in the digestive system, as they significantly reduce protective function mucous membrane.

Hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle can interfere with normal digestion. Such disorders are provoked by the fact that, against the background of an imbalance between progesterone and estrogen, excessive intestinal motility occurs. The result is difficult digestion food products, constipation or diarrhea.

Difficulties with digestion are also observed in the first weeks of pregnancy. In the second trimester, symptoms may intensify, since as the fetus grows, the pressure of the uterus on the gastrointestinal tract increases.

Features of therapy

Treatment of such ailments is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor. Before taking medications, you should determine the real reason pathological condition. Based on the provoking factors, as well as the results of the examination, the doctor prescribes appropriate therapy.

Best effect in normalization digestive process Ensures proper nutrition and an active lifestyle. It is important to eat regularly, chew food thoroughly, move more and avoid stressful situations. Great solution problems - herbal medicine, which helps to quickly relieve unpleasant symptoms and restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The following medications are prescribed for treatment: Mezim, Creon, Pancreatin, Festal and others. These drugs are excellent for treating such disorders of the digestive system.

If you are concerned about difficulty digesting food, consult a doctor to find out the cause of the pathology and begin proper therapy. Do not self-medicate. Otherwise, there is a risk of advanced pathology or improper treatment.

Why an adult’s stomach does not digest food and method of treatment

Poor nutrition, snacks on the run, or large meals at night - all this can lead to the stomach not digesting food. What to do when the stomach cannot digest food and how to restore the functioning of the organ worries many.

1 Basic information about the disease

The stomach is the place where food is digested. Its volume in an adult is approximately 2-3 liters. Food enters the stomach through the esophagus, where it is broken down into its components: proteins, carbohydrates and fats. When the body feels the need for food, it gives a signal and the amount of hydrochloric acid increases, which helps break down food. The speed of this process is different: carbohydrates are completely processed in 2 hours, while a similar process for fats takes up to 5 hours.

The deterioration of the stomach, in which it practically stops digesting food, is called dyspepsia and can be accompanied by unpleasant sensations: attacks of nausea, heaviness in the stomach and a feeling of fullness. If you do not take timely effective measures, the consequences will be very serious.

Symptoms of dyspepsia may include the following:

feeling of fullness in the stomach;
bloating, distension;
symptoms of peptic ulcer: vomiting, nausea, heartburn, “hunger” pain;
belching;
after eating, a burning sensation may occur in the chest area;
heaviness and pain in the upper abdomen not associated with eating;
pain in upper section spine;
sometimes vomiting occurs, causing relief for a short period;
loss of appetite, rapid satiety (associated with undigested food in the stomach).

The disease may develop in different ways: according to the ulcerative, dyskinetic or nonspecific variant. The dyskinetic variant involves the appearance of a feeling of rapid satiety, overcrowding, and discomfort. With peptic ulcers, signs of peptic ulcer disease are observed, that is, belching, “hungry” or night pain, heartburn. The nonspecific variant combines signs of both ulcerative and dyskinetic course of the disease.

2 Causes of the disease

The most common causes of dyspepsia are poor diet and lack of food culture. Dry snacks in conditions of constant stress and haste will certainly affect your health. The selection of foods can affect the functioning of the stomach. There are a number of products that, depending on individual characteristics human, the stomach does not perceive.

Discomfort may occur from fatty, heavy or too spicy foods. Alcohol can also cause problems, as it stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid, thereby increasing the load on the walls of the stomach.

In some cases, disruption of the functioning of the stomach can be caused by hormonal imbalance - this phenomenon is often observed in pregnant women. Finally, the secretion of gastric juice may be a consequence of disorders of the secretory glands.

In some cases feeling unwell may advance in morning time. This suggests that the person is abusing late meals. Like all human organs, the stomach must have time to rest.

There are other causes of dyspepsia:

decreased metabolism;
the appearance of bacterial colonies in the gastric mucosa;
insufficient concentration of gastric juice;
gastritis.

Regardless of the reasons why the stomach does not digest food, it is necessary to urgently begin treatment and seriously reconsider the diet and selection of foods.

3 Types and forms of the disease

There are two main groups of the disease: organic and functional. Organic dyspepsia is a syndrome in which there are no serious disturbances in the structure of the gastrointestinal tract, only functional ones, that is, related to the functioning of the organs. Functional dyspepsia characterized by the appearance of structural pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the symptoms will be observed more clearly and over a long period of time.

The main types of disease are determined depending on the reasons that provoked their occurrence.

Dyspepsia caused by intestinal infection can be of several types:

salmonellosis - characterized by an increase in temperature to 39°C, the appearance of vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and headache;
dysentery - usually affects large intestine, the main manifestation is considered to be stool mixed with blood;
intoxication - develops as a result of poisoning due to influenza, acute infectious diseases, poisoning.

Dyspepsia associated with a lack of digestive enzymes can be of the following types:

Nutritional dyspepsia is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and has 3 subtypes, characterized by an excess of any component.

Putrefactive disease develops when eating too many carbohydrate-containing foods, that is, meat, fish, and eggs predominate in the diet. The disease may develop due to eating stale meat products.

Fatty dyspepsia is caused by an excess of fats in the diet, especially refractory ones - lamb or pork fat.

The fermentation form is caused by an excess of carbohydrate-containing foods in the diet, such as bread, legumes, cabbage, sugar and some others, as well as fermented drinks (these include beer and kvass).

4 Diagnostic methods

Stopping digestion of food in the stomach may be a symptom of another, more serious disease, so if signs appear, you should consult a doctor.

First of all, the doctor collects an anamnesis. It is necessary to describe all complaints as accurately as possible: how long ago and how severe the pain has been, when it appears, whether there is heartburn, whether there are other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

After this, the doctor can prescribe both instrumental and laboratory tests.

Instrumental studies may include ultrasound and computed tomography. Using electrogastroenterography, disorders of gastric motility are detected, that is, its ability to move food mass. If you suspect more serious illnesses(tumors), the patient may undergo radiography. The inner surface of the stomach is analyzed using an endoscope, often with a simultaneous biopsy. Tests are carried out for the presence of the pathogen Helicobacter pylori.

Laboratory tests include biochemical analysis blood, stool analysis for the presence of dietary fiber and occult blood.

5 Treatments

If the digestion disorder in the stomach is caused by the development of another disease (influenza and other viral diseases, ulcer, gastritis, pancreatic diseases, duodenitis, etc.), this is what is treated first.

To treat direct indigestion in the stomach, the patient is prescribed medications different directions. For constipation, the patient is prescribed a laxative, but not for continuous use - only until the stool returns to normal. If diarrhea occurs, the patient should take antidiarrheal medications.

The patient is prescribed some medications designed to eliminate the main symptoms of the disease:

Enzymatic - improve digestion, the functioning of the stomach and duodenum.
Proton pump blockers - are prescribed for increased stomach acidity, manifested in the form of heartburn and sour belching.
Histamine blockers are medications that reduce stomach acidity, but have a weaker effect than proton pump blockers.
Painkillers - antispasmodics that reduce pain in the abdomen.

Non-drug treatment consists of simple measures. After eating, it is recommended to walk for at least 30 minutes. During treatment, the load on the abs is eliminated: twisting, lifting or bending the body.

Since one of the reasons that food is poorly digested is poor nutrition, it is reasonable to try to improve the condition with the help of diet. Therefore, at least for the duration of treatment, you need to give up fast food, fried, fatty, and semi-finished products, since all listed products have a large amount of simple fats.

It is important to have a positive attitude - it helps improve the production of gastric juice. Therefore, while eating, you do not need to plunge into dark thoughts or be distracted by watching TV, reading a newspaper or watching news on the Internet.

The main rule is to seriously reconsider your diet. It is important to give preference to natural and high-quality food. If the stomach does not accept any food, then you can switch to separate meals, since a diet selected in accordance with the rules allows you to relieve the digestive system and identify a product that is not accepted by the gastrointestinal tract.

Separate nutrition requires following several rules. The main thing is that you should not mix carbohydrates and proteins in one meal, since their processing requires different concentrations of gastric juice. In this case, fats can be combined with both proteins and carbohydrates.

It is important not to mix foods that take different amounts of time to digest. For example, nuts take longer to digest, so you shouldn't eat them at the same time as an orange.

You also need to be more careful with liquids. It is not allowed to drink hot coffee or tea immediately after eating. To avoid problems, you need to drink water 15 minutes before meals and at least an hour after meals.

Even young children are familiar with digestive system disorders. Adults face this problem quite often. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract may be associated with overeating or eating stale foods. Unfortunately, no one is immune from digestive disorders. In some cases, they are associated with the development of gastrointestinal diseases. Digestive problems are indicated by symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and changes in stool. Such manifestations are associated with both acute inflammatory processes and chronic diseases. If you experience symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, you should consult a doctor.

How is the digestive process carried out normally?

As you know, the digestive system consists of many interconnected organs. It begins in the oral cavity and passes through the entire body, ending at the anus. Normally, all stages of the digestion process occur sequentially. First, food enters the oral cavity. There it is crushed with the help of teeth. In addition, there is an enzyme in the mouth - salivary amylase, which is involved in the breakdown of food. As a result, a lump of crushed products is formed - chyme. It passes through the esophagus and enters the stomach cavity. Here the chyme is treated with hydrochloric acid. As a result, proteins, carbohydrates and fats break down. The pancreas produces enzymes that enter the lumen of the duodenum. They ensure further breakdown of organic substances.

The work of the digestive system is not only about grinding the food eaten. Thanks to the gastrointestinal tract, beneficial substances penetrate into the bloodstream. Absorption of amino acids, fats and glucose occurs in small intestine. From there, beneficial substances penetrate the vascular system and are distributed throughout the body. Liquid and vitamins are absorbed in the colon. This is where the formation of feces occurs. Intestinal peristalsis promotes their movement and excretion.

Digestive problems: causes of disorders

Violation of any stage of the digestive process leads to the development of disorders. It can develop for various reasons. In most cases, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract is caused by the penetration of bacterial or viral agents. Pathogens begin to multiply quickly and damage the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. This, in turn, leads to the emergence inflammatory reaction. As a result, the digestion process is slowed down or disrupted. Causes of gastrointestinal disorders include:

To find out why the disorder arose, it is necessary to be examined. Laboratory and instrumental diagnostic procedures will help determine the source of the pathology.

Causes of digestive disorders in children

IN childhood Digestive problems occur frequently. They may be associated with various factors. Among them are hereditary abnormalities, improper feeding, helminthic infestations, infectious pathologies etc. In some cases, urgent surgery is required to fix the problem. Causes of digestive disorders in children include:

Hereditary disorders of the exocrine glands - cystic fibrosis.
Anomalies in the development of the gastrointestinal tract.
Spasm or stenosis of the pyloric region of the stomach.
Feeding a young child excessively thick foods.
Poisoning from stale or spoiled food.
Infection with various pathogenic bacteria that enter the gastrointestinal tract along with food.
Helminthic infestations.

Only a doctor can find out why children have digestive problems. Some pathologies can lead to fatal outcome, therefore they require urgent help doctors

Types of diseases of the digestive system

Diseases of the digestive system are classified according to the cause of their occurrence, the source of development of the pathological condition, and the methods of necessary treatment. There are surgical and therapeutic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. In the first case, recovery can only be achieved with the help of surgical intervention. Therapeutic diseases are treated with medications.

Surgical pathologies of the digestive system include:

Therapeutic diseases of the digestive system are acute and chronic inflammatory processes in the stomach and intestines and poisoning. Injuries may fall into both groups, depending on the severity and nature of the injury.

Digestive problems: symptoms

Pathologies of the digestive system can manifest as gastric or intestinal dyspepsia syndrome, painful sensations in the abdominal area and changes in stool character. In some cases, phenomena of intoxication of the body are observed. Symptoms of stomach pathologies include: pain in the epigastric region, nausea and vomiting after eating. Similar clinical manifestations are observed with cholecystitis. The difference is that patients with gallbladder inflammation complain of pain in the right upper abdomen and a bitter taste in the mouth. characterized by changes in stool consistency (diarrhea, less commonly constipation) and flatulence. Unpleasant sensations can be in the navel area, in the right or left half of the abdomen.

In acute surgical pathologies, the pain intensity is greater, there is a delay in the passage of gas, and an increase in body temperature. Often patients are forced to lie down or take a forced position to relieve the condition.

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases

Diagnosis of pathologies of the digestive system is based on clinical data and additional research. First of all, patients must pass general analysis blood and urine. If inflammation is suspected, it is necessary to determine the level of indicators such as bilirubin, ALT and AST, and amylase. You should also have your stool tested.

TO instrumental studies include radiography, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and FGDS. In some cases, additional diagnostics are required.

Which doctor should I see?

What to do if you have digestive problems, which doctor will help? Gastroenterologists treat gastrointestinal diseases. However, before you make an appointment with him, you should undergo an examination, which is prescribed by a therapist or pediatrician. If acute abdominal pain occurs, call emergency assistance to exclude surgical pathologies requiring immediate surgical intervention.