A Clear Picture of Gastro Problems
Gastrointestinal (GI) ailments appear to be on the rise. Reportedly, at least one person in 70 percent of American households is noting symptoms such as indigestion or gas. And, there are differences between men and women in how the GI tract works that can be linked to the severity of GI problems.
"Women tend to experience nausea, bloating, feelings of fullness,
belly pain, belching and burping more frequently than men,”
observes Rachelle Johns, MD, gastroenterologist with Excela
Health Westmoreland Gastroenterology Associates, a group of seven GI
specialists: Robert DeJesus, MD; C. Rao Punukollu, MD; Juan Lora,
MD; Owais Rahim, MD; Rupam Sharan, MD; and Sarfraz Ahmad, MD,
MRCP. “If these symptoms persist, it may be wise for women to seek out
their physician to check for any serious underlying problems,” Dr. Johns
continues.
An Inside View
Not all GI ailments show up clearly on an X-ray. Instead, doctors often need to take a look from the inside.This is done by inserting a thin, flexible tube-shaped instrument into the GI tract. This tube has a light and a small lens that transmits images to a video screen. Doctors can look at the images for abnormal growths, ulcers, signs of cancer or other health problems. They can also insert tools through the tube to take a tissue sample for testing, remove a growth or seal a site that’s bleeding.
Here are three common procedures to view the GI tract:
- Endoscopy — A tool called an endoscope is inserted through your mouth and down your throat to view your esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine.
- Colonoscopy — A tool called a colonoscope is inserted through your rectum to view your large intestine and rectum.
- Sigmoidoscopy — A tool called a sigmoidoscope is inserted through your rectum to view the lower third of your large intestine and your rectum.
to drink a special cleansing liquid, take a laxative or have an enema. Usually doctors give a sedative before the test to help you feel comfortable and relaxed. Some people experience pressure or have mild cramping during a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. All three procedures can make you feel bloated because the tube inflates your GI tract with air for better viewing. This goes away when you pass gas after the test.
The NSAIDs Connection
Diet and lifestyle modification can help those with GI problems, but Dr. Johns warns of another, less often considered cause for distress.“Overuse of NSAIDs [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs] such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxin and ketaprofen, which can be purchased over the counter, can cause vague abdominal symptoms,” she notes. “Women, particularly those older than age 50, tend to use these drugs more than men. Those vague symptoms, in turn, may develop into more significant issues such as bleeding ulcers or perforation, for which surgery may be needed.”
Dr. Johns urges people to report over-the-counter medication use to their doctor to avoid any possible interactions with prescribed medications. Lastly, she advises everyone to be cautious of chronic bloating and other recurring symptoms that may signal a more serious problem.
