How sensitive is your gut?

Do you experience frequent stomach aches or excessive gas after eating? Does eating a simple meal leave you with heartburn? Are the problems of constipation and diarrhoea affecting you in a rhythmic cycle? If so than you are suffering from a sensitive gut and must look into the reasons for these problems.

Worldwide one in every 10 people are found to suffer from the problem. In India, 10 per cent of the population suffers from sensitive gut. Researchers have found that in some cases the problem runs in the family where stomach aches, loose motions or constipation disturb them so regularly that their day-to-day activities get affected.

Psychological stress, gut infections (diarrhoea) and intolerance to multiple food are important reasons for the development of a sensitive gut. Also, depression, anxiety and stress often accompany sensitive gut. Scientists say that the brain and the gut interact with each other and the stress may well be transferred from brain to gut and vice versa. The other risk factor in irritable bowel syndrome is the cycle of diarrhoea. Dr M. Zaheer, consultant gastroenterologist of Asian Institute of Gastroenterology said, “People who suffer from severe episodes of diarrhoea which lasts for a few days are more likely to have sensitive gut in the future. Some people have sensitive guts due to wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, onions and also edible oils.” The problem of sensitive gut is also because of the side effects of over-the-counter painkillers and cough medicines, especially those containing theophylline. Some people are also found to suffer because of chocolates, butter, cheese and peppermint, which is found to be the major causes of heartburn.

Food contamination is one of the major causes of sensitive gut. Due to this reason it is found that there are some people who have a cycle of constipation alternating with diarrhoea. This is called mixed irritable bowel syndrome. Sensitive guts may move faster or slower than normal to cause either diarrhoea or constipation respectively.

Therefore, sensitive guts or irritable bowel can be of constipation or diarrhoea predominant type depending on the symptoms. Usually there is no weight loss, fever or blood in stools due to which the patient takes medication for a few days and do not seek further intervention.

Dr K. Raghuram, gastroenterologist at Yashoda Hospitals explained, “In many cases we have found that it is a lifetime disorder. Such patients have to ensure that they are following a high-fiber diet. Soluble fiber, such as ispaghula (ispaghula husk), is found to be very helpful. Fiber can benefit constipation and can sometimes firm up loose stools. Fiber supplements should begin at a low dose and increased very slowly. For some patients with milk and wheat intolerance, exclusion diets are required.”

Ten in 100 people complain of heartburn but do not seek medical intervention. Heartburn occurs when the gastroesophagal junction, the one connecting the food pipe to the stomach, is loosened because of the side effects of medication.

Due to loosening of the junction, acid from the stomach gets into the food pipe, thereby giving a burning sensation behind the chest.

The body produces five main gases — N2, O2, CO2, H2 and methane CH4 — which account for 99 per cent of intestinal gases. The volume of intestinal gas is approximately 200 ml in healthy people. After meals the volume of gas increases by 65 per cent in the large intestine. Therefore, it is normal to have more gas after one eats. But the cause of worry is that some people have a weak gut to propel the gas and due to that they have gassy feelings or bad headaches as the gas affects the full body.