Digestive Problems
Gut ache, heartburn, constipation, stomach and bowel cramps, IBS – this range of digestive problems among men is common, particularly in middle age. The key to treatment is to find the trigger. At Viveka you can begin with a GP consultation; your GP may refer you to one of the nutritionists on our team.
Digestive problems may be linked to excessive weight, to insufficient exercise, or to a poor diet that has an excess of fat, sugar or acidic foods, and/or a deficiency in fibre, fresh produce, vitamins and minerals. Digestive discomfort or other issues may also be linked with infection.
For many men, digestive problems are triggered by stress; for instance when there’s a highly demanding job, with long hours, and a family at home. But stress can arise from many things, including difficult family or personal relationships; it can also have its roots in past experiences that continue to cause chronic or repeated anxiety.
In your initial consultation your GP will consider your personal history, your weight and BMI (body mass index), and any physical or emotional issues that may affect your digestion. She may recommend you visit a nutrition specialist for further assessment. Out team of nutritionists is led by Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD.
Diagnosis
A range of tests for digestive problems may include:
- hormone test (e.g. stress hormones, that act on the digestive system)
- screening for infection
- liver function tests
- stool analysis
- allergy and food intolerance testing
- hair or blood analysis for mineral, vitamin or omega fatty acid levels
Further tests using gastroscopy and colonoscopy to visualise the stomach and colon may be useful.
Ultrasound scanning may be recommended with Clinical Diagnostic Services, based at Viveka. Further X-Ray, MRI or CT scan imaging is occasionally recommended.
Specific tests can be used to assess the possibility of 'leaky gut syndrome' - where tiny molecules of food are thought to pass out of the digestive tract and into the blood, triggering an immune response.
Treating digestive problems
Treatment will be targeted to your problem and its cause.
Medical treatment options include antacid or constipation medication. If your bowel is inflamed (inflammatory bowel) specific medication may be prescribed. Occasionally antibiotics are useful, for instance if there is an infection such as helicobacter, which can lead to severe heartburn and may, if left untreated, cause stomach ulcers.
If your tests reveal the present of a candida infection (a yeast infection) Dr. Kaikavoosi may recommend a course of probiotics and a consultation with a nutritionist who can help you adjust your diet to rebalance the bacteria or 'flora' in your gut
Medication almost always works best in combination with changes in diet, as well as lifestyle, and in the longer term, changes in diet and lifestyle may help you avoid the trigger for your problem. Your doctor will advise you.
IBS
If you receive a diagnosis of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) your doctor will help you explore the possible causes and the steps you can take to minimise or exclude these. IBS is typically a diagnosis of exclusion: i.e. no cause is found, although symptoms persist. Symptoms of IBS include a combination of constipation and diarrhoea, stomach and bowel cramps.
To reduce digestive problems, it may be useful to exclude certain foods, food groups, or combinations of foods if these trigger your symptoms. There is no ‘bad’ food – your body is unique in the way it responds to what you eat. Any exclusion of foods needs to be done in consultation with a professional nutritionist – to ensure that you do not miss out on essential nutrients in your diet.
What you eat may also be linked with stress and anxiety. Taking a close look, with the support of a nutritionist, at the timing and content of your meals could reveal some surprising facts. For instance, if you eat too infrequently, or you eat an excess of simple carbohydrates and caffeine, without the balance of fibre, protein and complex carbohydrates, your body will naturally produce high levels of adrenalin, fuelling addition stress. Breaking a cycle like this can make a huge difference.
Need help to change ingrained habits?
Many people value extra support to change old habits – and eating habits are among the most ingrained, with their roots in childhood and family background. Our life coach offers practical and empowering advice; and our hypnotherapist is one of London’s best when it comes to making changes (binge eating, late night munchies, sugar addiction, smoking, etc). You can book directly with these specialists, or ask GP Dr Kaikavoosi for a referral.
