MEMPHIS, Missouri — It seems like more than ever before people are openly discussing digestive issues like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux.
These conversations can spread quickly, especially on social media.
We asked the doctors at Heartland what was going on.
Dr. Elliot DeBriek of Scotland County Hospital told KTVO that when patients come in complaining of abdominal pain, it's almost always constipation.
Symptoms of constipation vary. Some sufferers experience sharp pain in a particular area, while others may only feel a dull ache.
DeBriek said people can have bowel movements but still be constipated.
People who are prone to constipation are advised to avoid dairy products such as milk and cheese.
Another common condition DeBriek sees often is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
It can be difficult to diagnose as there are no specific tests, but it may be related to periods of stress.
One approach to treatment is to treat the stress-induced anxiety itself.
Another option is to make changes to your diet, such as avoiding spicy foods and cruciferous vegetables (vegetables that look like trees).
DeBriek also talked about other treatments he recommends to his patients.
“Usually the first thing we recommend is an over-the-counter medication like Miralax. If you really need it, take something like magnesium citrate. From a prevention standpoint, the most effective thing for both constipation and diarrhea is dietary fiber.”
He also found that apples contain high levels of dietary fiber.
Another common condition he sees often is acid reflux.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acid reflux is the backward flow of stomach contents up into the esophagus.
It can cause heartburn, also known as hyperacidity.
Although acid reflux can sometimes be triggered by eating spicy or acidic foods, it often occurs without any direct cause.
Symptoms can be managed with dietary changes and over-the-counter antacids.
DeBriek warns that over-treating acid reflux with medication can make the condition worse.
“There's a reason why your stomach is acidic: not only does it help kill bacteria, but your stomach's pH level needs to be consistent in order to absorb certain vitamins, like iron. Taking too much Tums (and other antacids) can actually cause vitamin deficiencies.”
Diet culture is a typically touchy subject, and DeBriek told KTVO that some social media celebrities exacerbate the issue.
He said some people on social media promote diets without proper research.
They are often promoted with phrases like “this is unprecedented” and “they're lying to you.”
DeBriek suggests being wary of diets that focus too much on one food group (vegan, vegetarian, carnivore) and avoiding certain foods.
There are several research-backed diets out there, including the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the keto diet.
He told us why he recommends them to his patients.
“Keto diets are an exception, but generally they emphasize cutting down on red meat. They focus on vegetables, nuts and foraged ingredients. They're generally low in salt, which is good for blood pressure and low in carbs.”
Carbohydrates are still important, and DeBriek emphasizes that limiting carbs, rather than cutting them out completely, can help prevent excess fat cell growth.
He also encouraged balance and moderation in his diet, saying that while it's fine to eat a little bit of everything, a diet that only includes one food group can cause problems.
