Gut Check: 4 Common GI Disorders In Men

Are you tired of feeling held back by stomach issues? Do you want to improve your overall health and wellbeing? The key to unlocking your full potential lies in your gut. As a man, you're likely no stranger to gastrointestinal issues like bloating, abdominal pain, and digestive problems. But did you know that these symptoms can be more than just a nuisance - they can be a sign of a larger issue affecting your overall health?

Some might find this shocking but GI or Gastrointestinal disorders are becoming common in males due to prolonged ignorance of such issues. In this blog, we will discuss commonest GI issues among men and how they can be resolved using ayurvedic help.

But before that let’s discuss the causes of GI disturbances in men.

Gut Health: 10 Factors Affecting Men's Digestive Wellbeing

Factors affecting men’s digestive health are as following:

• Diet: A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, leading to digestive issues. Specific foods like beans, cabbage, and broccoli can cause gas and bloating, while spicy foods can irritate the stomach lining.
• Stress: Chronic stress can slow digestion, leading to bloating, discomfort, and altered bowel habits. Stress can also exacerbate existing GI conditions like IBS and GERD.
• Lifestyle Habits: Smoking can damage the digestive system and increase the risk of GI cancers. Excessive alcohol consumption can irritate the stomach lining, lead to inflammation, and disrupt gut bacteria. A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to constipation and other GI issues.
• Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in testosterone levels, such as those experienced during aging or hypogonadism, can affect digestive health. Hormonal changes can lead to changes in bowel habits, bloating, and abdominal pain.
• Genetics: A family history of GI disorders like IBD, IBS, or gastroparesis can increase a man's risk of developing these conditions. Genetic predisposition can affect the functioning of the digestive system.
• Infections: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections can cause GI issues like food poisoning, gastroenteritis, or inflammatory bowel disease. Infections can lead to inflammation, gut damage, and altered gut bacteria.
• Medications: Certain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics can alter gut bacteria, leading to GI disturbances. Long-term use of these medications can increase the risk of GI issues.
• Age: As men age, their digestive system naturally slows down, leading to changes in bowel habits, decreased digestive enzyme production, and increased risk of GI disorders.
• Underlying Medical Conditions: Certain conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and gastroparesis can increase the risk of GI disturbances. These conditions can damage the digestive system, disrupt gut bacteria, and alter bowel habits.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to toxins, pollution, and other environmental stressors can impact gut health. Environmental toxins can alter gut bacteria, lead to inflammation, and increase the risk of GI issues.

Men's Gut Health Alert: 4 Silent Threats to Wellbeing

As mentioned before there are 4 common conditions for GI disorders. These 4 conditions are as follows:

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):The Unpredictable Gut 

IBS is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine, causing abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel movements. It's like a rollercoaster ride for the digestive system - one day constipated, the next day running to the bathroom. Stress, diet and hormonal changes can trigger IBS symptoms. Common symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Bloating and gas
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Changes in bowel movements
• Mucus in the stool

2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD):The Burning Truth

GERD is a chronic condition where stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing. It's like a fire in your chest that can disrupt your sleep and daily routine. Nighttime symptoms can be particularly troublesome. The symptoms associated are as follows:

• Heartburn and acid reflux
• Chest pain and tightness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Regurgitation of food
• Coughing

3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):The Chronic Companion

IBD is a chronic condition that causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. It's like a constant companion that's always there. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main types of IBD. The symptoms in crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are similar, these are as follows:

• Diarrhea and abdominal pain
• Weight loss and fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blood in the stool

4. Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD): The Hidden Enemy

PUD is a condition where ulcers develop in the stomach or duodenum, causing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and bleeding. It's like a silent assassin that can strike without warning. Most common symptoms associated with peptic ulcer disease include:

• Abdominal pain and tenderness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating and gas
• Weight loss
• Fatigue

Diet & Lifestyle Changes: A Road Towards Better Gut Health

The diet and lifestyle play a role not only for the diseased but for a normal man as well. In case of diseased conditions, peculiar choices are to be made which can help a lot in managing the symptoms. Above mentioned 4 common GI diseases in men can be well managed with the following changes in diet and lifestyle:

1.Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Diet changes:

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoid trigger foods like gluten, dairy or spicy foods
• Increase fiber intake
• Avoid carbonated drinks, packed food items, eating outside, refined food products, sour and pungent food articles like pickles, lemons, citrus fruits etc.

Lifestyle Changes:

• Regulate sleep wake cycle
• Manage your eating times
• To avoid stress - try yoga, meditation and pranayama
• Exercise regularly according to strength

2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Diet Changes:

• Avoid trigger foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes or spicy foods
• Go for small frequent meals instead of one large meal
• Avoid foods with heavy carbohydrates
• Stop intake of carbonated drinks, packed and processed food materials

Lifestyle Changes:

• Set time for your meals
• Sleep on time and take at least 7-8 hours of sleep
• Stop intake of outside food, carbonated drinks, packed and processed food materials
• Exercise regularly according to your strength and practice meditation for a calm mind.

3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Diet Changes:

• Avoid spicy, excessive salty, high carbohydrate, sour and pungent food items.
• Small frequent meals are the savior
• No Alcohol intake and also say no to non vegetarian foods
• Citrus fruits including tomatoes are to be avoided
• Avoid dairy and dairy items as well
• Add soy milk, almond milk to your diet along with boiled + mashed legumes in diet

Lifestyle Changes:

• Quit smoking
• Exercise moderately and avoid exercises putting too much strain on abdominal muscles
• Manage your sleep wake cycle
• Try to avoid stress of any kind
• Meditate and do pranayam

4.Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Diet Changes:

• Eat Small, Eat Often
• Avoid Foods That Irritate Your Stomach (like spicy or fatty foods)
• Limit Alcohol and Caffeine
• Eat More Fiber-Rich Foods
• Avoid fried, cheesy greasy and staple food

Life Changes:

• Quit smoking
• Keep check on your sleep wake cycles
• Avoid stressful situations & practice meditation
• Exercise moderately

Conclusion

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are a common and serious concern for men's health. By understanding the signs and symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD), men can take control of their gut health and seek timely medical attention. Remember, a healthy gut is essential for overall well-being, and ignoring GI symptoms can lead to serious complications.