Digestive Problems: Signs and Symptoms

… digestive problems in the West are at an all time high. By some estimates, up to 50% of us now suffer from digestive illness. Those who have been battling digestive problems for a while are very familiar with the frustrating range of symptoms. But others might not even realize that what they are
experiencing could very well be the result of a compromised digestive system.

As I discuss in the introduction to You Are NOT What You Eat, digestive problems in the West
are at an all time high. By some estimates, up to 50% of us now suffer from digestive illness.

Those who have been battling digestive problems for a while are very familiar with the frustrating range of symptoms. But others might not even realize that what they are experiencing could very well be the result of a compromised digestive system.

Health care professionals can order a number of tests to assess specific components of your digestive system, such as the amount of hydrochloric acid your stomach is producing. But there are also some classic warning signs that will tell you right now if your digestive system is struggling to do its vitally important job. Here’s a quick list:

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS of POOR DIGESTION

 

  • Feeling tired and lethargic after a meal

  • A lot of gurgling noises after eating

  • Experiencing a lot of gas

  • Feeling bloated after eating

  • An increasing number of food sensitivities*

    (*You experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, skin problems, diarrhea, migraines, cramping, nausea, inflammation, or joint pain after eating certain foods.)

  • Frequent bowel movements

  • Loose bowel movements (Or constipation)

  • Undigested food particles in your stool

I’ll start covering each of these in more detail in my next post. But until then, imagine that your
digestion is a fire. (In fact, this is the exact analogy commonly used in many traditional forms of medicine, such as those from China and India. And the hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes in your body are very powerful – the hydrochloric acid could burn a hole in your skin and the enzymes can melt a steak into soup!)

Now, picture that fire burning hot and clean and someone adding fuel to it – let’s say the fuel is a bunch of branches. What’s the result? Now picture those same branches being added to a weak, cool fire. What happens this time?

With that in mind, go back through the list of signs and symptoms and see if you can intuitively
sense what’s causing them. And I’ll ‘see’ you soon!