Gastrointestinal issues: what are the most common symptoms and causes?

Reading time: 2 minutes

Gastrointestinal problems: what are the most common symptoms and causes?

Do you experience gastrointestinal complaints such as heartburn or abdominal pain after eating? Do experience low energy? Do you have a flat stomach in the morning, but do you have a mega swollen belly in the evening? Trouble concentrating or a dull feeling? You’re not alone. These are all symptoms of stomach and intestinal (gastrointestinal) complaints. Did you know that in 2019 more than a quarter of all Dutch people had complaints about the intestines and therefore digestion? In recent years, this has only increased!

But no worries, in this blog we will take you with us to explore these complaints and problems and therefore, help you to get rid of them.

Direct link:

Tip 1: Recognize the symptoms of gastrointestinal issues
Tip 2: Check your stool
Tip 3: Eat enough fiber
Tip 4: Digestion complex
Tip 5: Ask for advice

How do I notice gastrointestinal issues:

Not everyone immediately recognizes the symptoms of gastrointestinal complaints. Some people stay around with it for a long time by:

Not recognizing symptoms
It’s a taboo and is not talked about
Not knowing what ‘normal’ is

Of course, this is not necessary. Because did you know that we (hopefully) flush a wealth of information every day? Yes, we’re talking about your stool!

Tip 1: Recognize the symptoms of gastrointestinal issues

To make it easier for you, we have made an overview. This will help you identify when it’s wise to ring the alarmbells.

Do you regularly experience abdominal / stomach problems for more than 30 days?
Do you experience abdominal / stomach discomfort more than 1 time per month?
Do you poop more than 3 times a day?
Poop less than 1 time every 2 days?
Do you need to wipe often after defecating (to get clean)?
Do you often have to squeeze hard to get your stool out?
Does your stool not have a solid shape, is it soft and / or mush?
Do you let winds that stink so badly that you’re ashamed of them? If so, can you link that to specific foods?
Are your farts loud? If so, can you link that to specific foods?
Do you have a flat stomach in the morning, but mega swollen belly in the evening? (Think about loosening your pants a few buttons)
Do you regularly experience: heartburn, belching or nausea?
Do you regularly see undigested residues in your stool? These are pieces of food from one of your previous meals.
Do you experience red blood in your stool or do you have deep dark, almost black stools?
Do you regularly experience a strange color and does this not go away within a few days?
Does your stool pattern change after a holiday, a period of stress or when you started eating differently, and hasn’t that changed within 2 months?
Do you get tired, lethargic or would you prefer to take a nap within an hour of eating?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then something is not going well in your intestines. See the following tips!

Note: keep in mind that this list is not complete. These are the most common – and most ignored – gastrointestinal complaints that people (continue to) walk around with.

Tip 2: Check your stool

For starters we would like to say to the people: look back more often and ‘check your stool’! This because your stool can tell a lot about your health.

Start by checking the above points. This is a good start and provides clear guidance.

Tip 3: Eat enough fiber

When we read this it was a big shocker for us: on average, Dutch people eat between 15 and 23 grams of fiber per day. This is far too little, because we should eat atleast 40 grams of fiber in a day. This is almost double the amount!

Most people limit themselves by only eating (vegetable) fiber with dinner. The golden tip: make sure you have enough fiber with your breakfast, lunch and dinner. This way you take good care of your intestines. Fiber is the food source for healthy intestinal bacteria. Think of: smoothie, soups, salads or hidden vegetables in your baking. Like a sweet potato brownie or a banana bread with zucchini. Adding too much fiber too quickly can cause abdominal distention, so make sure to build this up slowly.

What contains a lot of fiber?

What are a lot of fibers in?
You can find them in organic fruits, (green leafy) vegetables (asparagus, broccoli), legumes, nuts, seeds and garlic. Extra tip: make sure you drink enough (filtered) water when you eat more fiber.

Tip 4: Take the Digestion Complex

The Digestion Complex supplement from Goldea Health contains a range of herbs and herbal extracts. These herbs and herbal extracts are good for digestion and for normal stomach function. The perfect support for gastrointestinal issues and digestive complaints.

Why Digestion Complex?

It supports healthy digestion and normal stomach function
This supplement is pure and clean, without additives
High quality
They are plant-based capsule, so suitable for vegans

Digestion Complex is an enrichment to your daily routine and will support your stomach and intestinal function and relieve your complaints.

Tip 5: Ask for advice

Almost everyone has a day when he or she has a rumbling belly. It is important that if you suffer from your stomach, intestines or digestion often, you contact an expert. For example, request free advice. Our orthomolecular nutritionist, Cynthia, will contact you.

Will you help break the taboo?

Conclusion

Recognizing the symptoms of gastrointestinal issues in time and daring to talk about them or calling in the right help is crucial for happy intestines and good health. Look back more often, because your poop provides a wealth of information. You will have to investigate this yourself, because otherwise you will flush out a source of information on a daily basis. Eat more fiber, because this is the nutritional source of your intestines and finally. Dare to talk and share, because very honestly. Pooping is perfectly normal and we all do it!