8 Important Digestive Symptoms
The digestive system, as its name suggests,
is a system responsible for the digestion, processing, and absorption
of nutrients we receive from the food that enters our body. This role is
obviously crucial since without nutritional components, the body cannot
function. However, the digestive system has additional important roles,
which is why it is referred to as the "second brain" of the body. When
something goes wrong in one of the body's systems, the digestive system
springs into action and sends various signals to alert you to the
existence of a problem. The following eight points cover common
digestive system issues that are actually signals of more serious
problems, along with solutions to help you identify the source of
discomfort and address it to live a healthy, pain-free life.
1. Heavy fatigue after eating may indicate
various diseases in the body
Problem: If you feel heavy fatigue after meals, it may indicate a
digestive system that is working slowly and not digesting food properly.
This condition can occur when the body is under some form of distress,
such as a disease that causes it to redirect its energy and resources to
addressing the problem rather than other needs, like digestion. This
redirection of resources leaves the body particularly tired, so even
small meals can cause exhaustion.
Solution: It is important to consult a doctor if this phenomenon occurs
frequently, as you may be suffering from a chronic issue that requires
treatment. At the same time, fatigue after a meal sometimes stems from
overeating, and the simplest solution to this problem is to reduce the
amount of food per meal and take a short walk afterward. In a study
conducted at Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany, researchers
found that a short walk in fresh air speeds up and improves the
digestion process, helping people feel less tired.
2. Persistent bad breath may indicate
kidney problems or diabetes
Problem: Sometimes we forget to brush our teeth or eat something that
causes bad breath. However, if we maintain regular brushing and don’t
consume strong-smelling foods regularly, yet the problem persists, it
may indicate a systemic issue. Dr. Joseph Mercola, an alternative
medicine expert, says that a fishy odor may point to kidney problems,
while a fruity breath smell could indicate diabetes.
Another possible source of bad breath could be an imbalance between
beneficial bacteria in the digestive system and harmful bacteria that
release foul-smelling substances. You may be exacerbating the situation
by eating sugary foods that feed these harmful bacteria. Finally,
problematic bad breath can also indicate acid reflux, which causes
stomach acid to churn and release unpleasant-smelling gases, or gum
disease.
Solution: If your bad breath has a fishy or fruity odor, it’s advisable
to get checked by a doctor to confirm or rule out kidney issues or
diabetes. If the bad breath is unpleasant but lacks these specific
odors, try eating probiotic foods to restore the balance of good and bad
bacteria in your stomach, which can alleviate the issue. Probiotics
will also balance the bacteria in your mouth, leading to fresher breath.
Another recommendation is to eat fiber-rich foods, as they nourish
beneficial bacteria, helping them thrive over harmful ones, restoring
balance and pleasant breath.
3. Skin problems may indicate poor
digestion
Problem: We all want to enjoy healthy, radiant skin, but often we
develop skin issues like acne, eczema, dermatitis, and other conditions
whose surprising source lies in the digestive system. Not many know
this, but most skin problems stem from various deficiencies in the
stomach and digestive system that affect the health and appearance of
our skin.
If your skin tends to peel, it indicates a deficiency in the enzyme
lipase, which breaks down fats. If your body doesn’t break down food
properly, it won’t absorb vitamins like A, K, and E, which are essential
for skin health and a fresh appearance. These vitamins help fight
infections, and when they’re lacking, pimples and other issues may
appear on your skin because there’s nothing to combat the bacteria
causing these conditions. An imbalance between good and bad bacteria in
the digestive system also causes skin puffiness and an uneven
appearance.
Solution: If you have persistent skin issues, it’s recommended to eat
foods rich in vitamins, such as fruits and vegetables, to restore these
essential components to your body. Probiotic foods will also help
restore bacterial balance in the digestive system and improve skin
appearance. Persistent issues like severe acne or eczema may require a
doctor’s treatment, so if the problems persist after changing your diet,
consult a specialist for assistance.
4. Brittle nails may signal problems with
nutrient absorption
Problem: Nails may be small parts of the body, but they can reveal a lot
about digestive system issues and nutritional deficiencies. Brittle
nails may indicate that your stomach isn’t producing enough acid to
digest food properly, leading to poor absorption of proteins, zinc, and
calcium from your food. These components are essential for nail health,
so their deficiency manifests in brittle nails and even hair.
Solution: If you notice that your nails are not as strong and healthy as
they used to be, you may have a digestive issue that’s preventing
proper nutrient absorption. In this case, it’s recommended to add foods
rich in calcium, zinc, and proteins, such as eggs, chicken breast,
spinach, and other green vegetables, to your diet. If the problem
persists, consult a doctor to investigate the cause of poor nutrient
absorption and receive tailored treatment for your needs.
5. Anemia and iron deficiency may indicate
blood loss in the intestines
Problem: If blood tests show that you suffer from anemia or iron
deficiency, the cause may lie in your digestive system. Blood loss in
the intestines is the number one cause of iron deficiency among men and
women past middle age. Blood loss in the intestines doesn’t refer to
internal bleeding but to poor iron absorption, which causes anemia,
similar to blood loss from an injury.
The digestive system and intestines are responsible for absorbing food
and distributing nutrients like iron to other organs, so issues like
anemia indicate hidden absorption problems in the intestines. Iron
deficiency leads not only to anemia but also to symptoms like increased
fatigue and difficulty functioning daily as before, making it important
to be aware of these issues.
Solution: Adding iron to your daily diet can work wonders for anemia, so
it’s recommended to eat iron-rich foods like meat, green vegetables
such as spinach, beans, and roasted pumpkin seeds. If the problem
persists and you don’t feel improvement, there may be a more serious
issue causing poor iron absorption, so consult specialists and continue
blood tests to monitor iron levels in your body.
6. Problems maintaining weight may signal
poor nutrient absorption
Problem: Many of us want to shed a few kilograms gained over time, but
if this happens despite no changes in diet, it may indicate problems
with nutrient absorption in the body. When the body doesn’t receive the
essential components needed for its various processes, it responds by
reducing body mass to draw these substances from existing reserves. If
you experience sudden weight loss despite no changes to your diet or
exercise routine, it’s important to investigate to ensure your body is
getting all the nutrients it needs to function properly.
Solution: Nutrient absorption issues cannot be solved simply by adding
them to your diet, so it’s important to consult a doctor to investigate
the hidden causes of these deficiencies. There may be a deeper issue
causing your inability to absorb nutrients, and it’s crucial to address
it before the condition worsens and critical body functions are
impaired.
7. Sudden sensitivities and allergies may
indicate failures in digesting certain products
Problem: Many children and adults sometimes develop sensitivities that
interfere with their ability to digest certain foods. One cause of these
issues is a deficiency in various digestive enzymes, such as in lactose
intolerance; difficulty digesting dairy products indicates a lack of
the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose in these products, causing
the body to reject dairy and sensitive individuals to experience
unpleasant symptoms like gas and severe abdominal pain. It’s important
to distinguish between sensitivity and an allergy, which can also
develop in the digestive system but requires different treatment.
Solution: If you’ve developed a sensitivity to a specific food, it’s
important to remove it from your diet to prevent future issues. If you
prefer not to, you can take supplements that provide your body with the
missing enzymes to break down the components you’re sensitive to. In the
case of an allergy, consult a doctor for advice to examine your
digestive system and body to determine what caused the allergic reaction
and treat it accordingly.
8. Sudden sleep problems may point to deficiencies in body systems
Problem: As mentioned, the stomach is a kind of "second brain" of the
body, signaling when there are issues in various body systems. If your
sleep becomes disturbed and insufficient without significant life
changes that could cause stress, it indicates problems in the digestive
system and other body organs. In a study published in 2013, researchers
found a strong link between insomnia and digestive system issues, with
irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and poor digestion being leading
causes of insomnia and restlessness at night. Unlike acid reflux, which
is clearly felt, irritable bowel syndrome and poor digestion don’t
always manifest in pain or other physical symptoms, so many don’t
connect insomnia with digestive issues, as they’re not always aware of
their existence.
Solution: Dietary changes greatly help restore the balance of bacteria
and fluids in the stomach, contributing to better sleep. Avoid foods
that cause acid reflux or other unpleasant symptoms, and if you don’t
know what triggers them, eliminate one food component at a time from
your diet to identify the culprit. Balanced, healthy meals full of
vitamins and minerals help stabilize the digestive system and greatly
contribute to good sleep. As with other issues, if you’ve tried
everything and still suffer from disturbed sleep, consult a doctor to
address your digestive issues and restore your rest.
Maintaining overall body health is of
utmost importance, so it’s crucial to be aware of everything happening
in our body’s systems, such as the digestive system. The stomach and
intestines signal when something is wrong in our body, so it’s advisable
to stay vigilant regarding the issues mentioned to ensure that your
"second brain" is functioning properly and positively impacting other
body systems.