One of the most common complications that people battle with today is often related to the gastrointestinal system. A research study in the year 2017 revealed that about 32.3 million population of the United States of America made visits to physician offices with diseases of the gastrointestinal system as the primary diagnosis. More so, in the same year, about 14.7 million population of the United States of America were diagnosed with ulcers.

Large parts of the population of people who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases yearly do not detect the need to visit gastroenterology centers early. This often contributes to the annual rise in the number of people who severely suffer from different forms of gastrointestinal diseases.

Qualified gastroenterologists are always available in various gastroenterology centers to help people with digestive diseases. Inability to locate them also contributes to the difficulty experienced by people with gastrointestinal diseases.

As there are different types of digestive problems, proper diagnosis and treatment are essential. However, you can use home remedies and lifestyle changes to treat some common digestive issues, such as indigestion, constipation, diarrhea and bloating. Serious digestive problems, however, may need treatment by a specialist.

Here are some natural remedies that can help you:

Ginger

To improve digestion and prevent digestive problems, you must include ginger in your diet. It stimulates digestive juices and the flow of enzymes needed to properly digest food. It is effective for preventing and reducing nausea, vomiting, flatulence, indigestion, bloating and diarrhea.

In addition, it has carminative, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent digestive problems.

• Drink 2 to 3 cups of ginger tea daily. To make the tea, boil 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger in 1½ cup of hot water. Let it simmer for 10 minutes, strain out the ginger, add some raw honey and enjoy your tea.
• Alternatively, add 2 teaspoons of ginger juice and 1 teaspoon of honey to a cup of warm water. Drink it once or twice a day.
• To improve digestion, chew a small piece of ginger after your meals.

Probiotic Foods

Probiotic foods help keep your digestive system healthy and functioning efficiently. Probiotics contain strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria (good bacteria) that help restore the natural balance of your gut bacteria. They can help treat and prevent digestive problems like diarrhea, abdominal bloating, flatulence, and IBD.

A 2010 study published in the Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology journal highlights the efficacy of probiotics, as either a single strain or a combination of probiotics, in treating several digestive issues.

Some of the best probiotic foods include Greek yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, buttermilk, and sour pickles. You can even take probiotic supplements, but only after consulting your doctor.

Peppermint

The herb peppermint also aids digestion and prevents digestive disorders. Its carminative, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties help treat gas, bloating, intestinal cramps as well as nausea and vomiting.

In addition, it helps calm an upset digestive system and accelerates healing.

A 2007 study published in the Digestive and Liver Diseases journal suggests that this herb helps improve abdominal symptoms in people suffering from IBS. It can even treat similar symptoms of lactose intolerance or celiac disease.

• Drink peppermint tea once or twice a day. To make the tea, add 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves to a cup of hot water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink it.
• Eat fresh peppermint leaves daily by sprinkling them over your dishes or add them to your salads.
• Another option is to take enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules 3 or 4 times a day for a few weeks.

Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds also support digestive health. You can use them to treat heartburn, indigestion and low stomach acidity. These seeds also provide relief from intestinal spasms and bloating commonly associated with IBS.

A 2003 study published in the Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine journal concluded that fennel seed oil (emulsion) helps decrease the intensity of infantile colic.

• Chew 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds after eating your meal to aid digestion.
• To treat indigestion, drink fennel tea or take ½ teaspoon of fennel seed powder along with a glass of water twice daily. To make fennel tea, steep 1 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds in a cup of hot water for about 5 minutes.

Asafetida

The potent-smelling spice asafetida is good for your digestive health due to its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-flatulent properties.

It is highly effective in treating gas, flatulence, upset stomach, stomach pain, and food poisoning. You can also use it to treat colic pain in small babies.

• To improve digestion, mix a pinch of asafetida in a glass of warm water and drink it after your meals. Also, include this spice in your daily cooking.
• For small babies, you can rub a little asafetida mixed with water around the navel to reduce stomach pain and gas.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Another ingredient that helps keep your digestive system in good health is apple cider vinegar. Though acidic in nature, it has an alkalizing effect in your body.

This helps to improve digestion and treat problems like indigestion, gas, bloating, stomachaches and heartburn.

In addition, it has pectin, a water-soluble fiber that regulates bowel movements.

1. Add 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water.
2. Mix in a little raw honey.
3. Drink this 2 or 3 times a day to maintain a healthy digestive system.

The following conditions are part of the reasons why you should visit a local gastroenterologist:

Lactose Intolerance

Consumption of dairy products such as yogurts and cheese are not supposed to bring about any complication or painful symptoms in an individual who is in a healthy state. However, an unhealthy condition is known as “lactose intolerance” may result in upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating and gas in people who consume dairy products. This condition is as a result of the fact that there is not enough lactase – a protein needed to break down milk products – in the body to digest the various milk products consumed by such individuals.

Therefore, when you experience symptoms such as bloating, upset stomach after taking dairy products, you need to locate local gastroenterology to examine you and help you find a suitable treatment for your condition.

Heartburn

Heartburn pain is a condition associated with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is characterized by painful sensation which occurs in either the chest or the throat. The condition occurs as a result of irritation of the lining of the esophagus by stomach acids. A recent study revealed that more than 40% of Americans suffer from heartburn pain at least one time each month.

Heartburn may lead to frequent throat pain, chest pain, and other discomforts. Frequent heartburn is a vital reason to visit nearby qualified gastroenterology. The doctor will help in proper diagnoses as well as treatment of the condition.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This severe condition is caused by abnormal immune system reactions to food consumed or any other substance taken into the digestive system. If you experience symptoms such as rectal bleeding, severe pain in the belly, general body pain, and diarrhea; then inflammatory bowel disease is a reason why you should locate local gastroenterology for proper assessment and treatment.

In conclusion, in order to locate the best gastroenterologists, it is expedient to check reviews of the doctors who are specialists in gastroenterology. There are local online platforms which provide reviews and other details of gastroenterologists who are available to attend to any cases of gastrointestinal diseases or condition. You can as well engage in physical research by asking patients who have been successfully treated for a similar gastrointestinal condition for a recommendation, in order to also visit the gastroenterologist who treated them.