Digestive system problems?

Hello,
I have some problem with my digestive system it seems. I started noting this when I wasn't feeling fresh in the morning even after 7-8 hours of sleep. I drilled down to the reasons and realized that there is some problem with the digestive system (But this is what I think. I am not sure about it). I always have pain and discomfort in my stomach. There鈥檚 always a burning sensation in my stomach. I feel very weak after I eat something. Initially I thought it鈥檚 but natural to feel drowsy after meals but soon realized that it is not the usual lethargy. I thought it was because I smoke daily (1-2 cig per day) and consume alcohol (a glass or 2 of beer once in a week ). I have stopped that now, but it seems it is not curing the damage that may have happened already. Are there any medicines which I can try ( I am in US) and see if it is helping before I go and consult my GP? Is it a symptom of peptic ulcer? Can somebody please help me?Thanks
Masti
Answer:
Hi Masti, rather than medications for this, which ultimately will just mask the problems and likely cause your stomache further problems, why not try some digestive enzymes prior to meals and try elliminating certain foods that have been known to cause these problems?One of the foods that is often a problem is wheat products. Many people suffer from Celiac Disease and go on for years before being diagnosed. This means when they eat anything containing wheat they system kind of does a mini shut down, (listless or tired, slow digestion) You can google Celiac Disease if you like, the only treatment for this is to elliminate all Wheat Products from your diet. Difficult at first, but as you get used to it, not so bad.Another food that would be very suspect would be Dairy Products. For most, dairy products are difficult to digest and over time can become more and more problematic.This is easy enough to remedy, just try elliminating all Dairy for 2 weeks, see how you feel. Please remember though, dairy is found in most packaged foods and when elliminating for 2 weeks you need to completely elliminate the suspect food.Other foods you might consider, sugar, chemical additives, fast food, convenience foods.Try to eat organic fruits and vegetables when ever possible and see how you feel then.Sounds like you are willing to try thiings that would help yourself, these would be my first choices.

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The above advice is excellent. Since I specialize in Celiac Disease advocacy, that's where I'll focus! Celiac Disease (CD) is an extremely common autoimmune disorder. It is estimated 1 in 133 ppl in the US have it, and 97% dont know it yet! It is extremely hereditary and is genetically predisposed.
CD is easily treated by eating GLUTEN FREE (not just wheat free). Gluten is in wheat, rye, barley and often in oats (due to cross contamination wtih wheat at harvest.). There is a HUGE amount of yummy gluten free food available it jsut takes time to learn to read labels and navigate the system.To be diagnosed with CD you need to read this:How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?When working with a physician to diagnose and/or confirm celiac disease (CD), three major steps are taken. First, a thorough physical examination is conducted, including a series of blood tests, sometimes referred to as the Celiac Blood Panel. Second, a duodenal biopsy is performed with multiple samples from multiple locations in the small intestine. And third, the gluten-free diet is implemented. When the patient shows a positive response to the diet - symptoms subside and the small intestine returns to its normal, healthy state - the diagnosis of CD is confirmed.(NOTE: To ensure the most accurate and timely diagnosis, the gluten-free diet should be implemented only after the first two steps have been completed.)
1: ExaminationPatient HistoryWhen reviewing a patient's medical history and symptoms with a physician, the following areas should be considered in the discussion: (The first three are applicable to adults and children. The last is specific to children.) * What are the symptoms? How long have they been present? How often do they occur? * What is the patient's emotional state? Is it consistent throughout the day? When and for how long do the symptoms occur? * What else is involved? Other diseases? Other organs? * How is the child developing?See What are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease? for a thorough list of possible symptoms.Physical ExaminationDepending on the presentation of symptoms, the physician will check for some of the following items: * emaciation * pallor (due to anemia) * hypotension (low blood pressure) * edema (due to low levels of protein, [albumin] in the blood) * dermatitis herpetiformis (skin lesions) * easy bruising (lack of vitamin K) * bone or skin and mucosa membrane changes due to vitamin deficiencies * protruding or distended abdomen (intestine dysmotility) * loss of various sensations in extremities including vibration, position and light touch (vitamin deficiency) * signs of severe vitamin/mineral deficiencies which may include:
* -diminished deep tendon reflexes * muscle spasms (magnesium and/or calcium deficiency) * bone tenderness and bone pain (due to osteomalacia)Blood TestsA number of tests, sometimes collectively referred to as the Celiac Blood Panel, will aid the physician in diagnosis. The tests may include, but are not limited to: *
Serologic Tests 1. EMA (Immunoglobulin A anti-endomysium antibodies)
2. AGA (IgA anti-gliadin antibodies)
3. AGG (IgG anti-gliadin antibodies)
4. tTGA (IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase) * Tolerance or Measure of Digestion/Absorption Tests 1. Lactose tolerance test.
2. D-Xylose test.Return to top2: BiopsyIn the event that clinical signs and laboratory tests indicate probable malabsorption, a biopsy of the small intestine [jejunal] is called for. In this test, a small flexible biopsy instrument is passed through a tube, down the throat, through the stomach and into the upper end of the small intestine where patchy, multiple snippets of tissue are gathered. The tube is removed and the tissue samples are examined under a microscope for signs of injury. CD DiagnosisThe difference between tissue in a normal small intestine and that found in a celiac patient is remarkable. The normal finger-like projections (villi), which increase the absorptive surface area of the small intestine, are partially or totally flattened in a person with celiac disease. Enzymes located on the brush border are also drastically reduced. Lactase, the enzyme responsible for splitting milk sugar (lactose) so it can be absorbed, is an example of one of these brush border enzymes. This decrease in lactase explains why some untreated celiac patients may not be able to tolerate milk products and will have developed lactose intolerance. Elevated numbers of T-cell lymphocytes (white blood cells) are also present. The small bowel biopsy samples of persons with dermatitis herpetiformis often show similar damage.To view a color-coded illustration of a single villus, visit MEDLINEplus.NOTE: At this time there is no standardization in either serological testing or intestinal biopsies.To view a chart showing typical test results for someone with celiac diseaseClick HereReturn to top3: DietThe diagnosis of celiac disease is complete when the health of the patient improves following implementation of the gluten-free (GF) diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, most of the damage that was done to the small intestine (the jejunum) is repaired. It takes only three to six days for the intestinal lining (the mucosa) to show improvement. Within three to six months, most symptoms subside as the mucosa returns to its normal (or nearly normal) state.For an explanation of the gluten-free diet, see: * How is Celiac Disease Treated?
* Gluten-Free Diet: Basic Diet Choices
* Gluten-Free Diet: Grains and Flours If, after six months on the GF diet, symptoms still persist, the following need to be considered: * Has gluten been removed from every area of your diet and life? (See How is Celiac Disease Treated? for information on where gluten can "hide" in food and other products.) * Do unrelated conditions exist that are causing the continued discomfort? (See How is Celiac Disease Treated? for information on additional conditions that may be present.) The GF diet is a risk-free diet! Gluten, as a protein, is not essential to the diet and its amino acid components are replaced many times over by other foods. Adopting the GF diet can only result in improved health and well-being. The medical information on this page was last reviewed/updated on January 1, 2004.
If you are diagnosed you'll find a wealth of info online, including several Yahoo groups, the best one being SillyYaks on Yahoo Health Groups. Look for a support group in your area.Have no fear, they make Gluten free beer! And many other alcohols are gluten free.
Goes without saying you need to quit smoking but tackle one demon at at ime! I have no idea if cigaretter are gluten free, there is so much crap in them I would imagine they had gluten in them!!
Best of luck!
Amy
Chairperson Louisiana North Shore Celiac Sprue Association

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