Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (sometimes called FGIDs) are the result of abnormal functioning of the GI tract (that’s the system of connected organs that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus.) FGIDs are often hard to diagnose because even though they produce frequent symptoms, there is no visible damage to the GI tract and there are no screening tests to identify them.
About
Just about everyone experiences symptoms of FGIDs at some point in his or her life. But for millions of people, those symptoms are chronic (meaning they happen frequently or have been going on for a long time). Unfortunately, many people—especially men—with chronic symptoms don’t get the help they need because they don’t know where to go, they’re afraid of what they’ll find out, or they’re just embarrassed to talk to anyone about their problem. If you experience any symptoms with frequency or they are interfering with your daily activities, see your healthcare provider right away.
The most common FGID is Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
FYI
Approximately 25 million Americans have a functional GI disorder.
While healthcare experts don’t know exactly what causes FGIDs, many believe that it’s the result of a communication breakdown between the brain and the intestinal tract. For example, abnormal signaling could cause the GI tract to overreact (which would lead to diarrhea) or under react (which would lead to constipation). They also know that FGIDs can be caused — or made worse — by a number of other factors including:
- Regularly consuming a diet low in fiber
- Not drinking enough water or other fluids every day
- Lack of exercise
- Travel or another change in routine
- Eating large amounts of dairy products
- Stress
- Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement
- Pain from hemorrhoids that is bad enough that it makes you resist bowel movements
- Overuse of laxatives (stool softeners) which can weaken the bowel muscles
- Antacids that contain calcium or aluminum
- Medication, including antidepressants and iron supplements, and many narcotics and other powerful drugs for pain.
- Pregnancy
Symptoms
- Abdominal pain (in or around the stomach, either chronic or sudden)
- Anal or rectal pain (chronic or sudden)
- Belching (frequent, repetitive)
- Bloating (in the abdomen)
- Chest pain
- Constipation (straining to defecate and/or hard or lumpy stool)
- Cramping (below your belly button)
- Diarrhea
- Gas (sometimes called flatulence)
- Heartburn
- Indigestion (sometimes called dyspepsia)
- Nausea
- Trouble swallowing
- Vomiting (frequently)
Prevention
There is no known prevention for FGID. However, depending on your symptoms, your healthcare professional may be able to make suggestions to lessen the symptoms. These can include:
- Eat a diet high in fiber. Avoid fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, dairy products, soda and caffeine as these foods may make symptoms worse.
- Quit smoking.
- Ask your healthcare provider about appropriate medication. This may include laxatives, antidepressants (which may reduce abdominal discomfort or pain) or antispasmodics (to control contractions in the colon).
- Reduce your stress levels. Less stress will mean less cramping and less pain.
Diagnosis
Even though FGID produce symptoms, examinations and tests will not be able to identify the cause. Your entire GI tract may look fine, but there’s clearly something wrong. That means your healthcare provider will rely on your description of the symptoms. That’s why it’s important that you keep track of what your symptoms are, when each one started, how frequently you have them, how long they last, how severe they are, etc.
Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider
…about Your GI Condition
- What is the name of my condition?
- How severe is my condition? Is my condition considered chronic (long-lasting)?
- Is it hereditary or related to my environment or lifestyle?
- What complications might I experience?
- Does my condition increase my risk for developing any other medical problems?
…about Diagnosing Your Conditions
- What tests are available to diagnose my condition?
- Which of them do you recommend and why?
- What does the test involve?
- What are the side effects of each test?
- How should I prepare for this diagnostic test?
- How long will the test take?
- Will I be able to drive myself home immediately following the test?
- How long will it take to get the results of the test? Should I call for the results, or will someone contact me?
- If my test finds a problem, what will our next steps be?
…about Your Treatment
- Is there a cure for my condition?
- What are my treatment options and which do you recommend?
- What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this treatment?
- What are the common side effects of the recommended treatment?
- What should I do if I experience severe side effects?
- Should I take any over-the-counter medications (e.g., antacids, aspirin) during treatment?
- How long should it take for the treatment to work?
- Are there any medications that I am already taking or am likely to take that can interact with the medications you are prescribing?
- What types of lifestyle and dietary changes may be helpful to manage my condition during and after treatment?
- Should I schedule appointments with a nutritionist, dietician, or other health care specialist? How often should I be seen for follow-up appointments?
- Are there any clinical trials available for my condition?
Treatments
There are no cures for the FGIDs. Treatment focuses on management over a long-term span and will be determined for each individual based on their needs. It varies based on the severity and symptoms, and the degree of impairment of a person’s daily life.
Ask your healthcare provider about appropriate medications. This may include laxatives, antidepressants (which may reduce abdominal discomfort or pain), antispasmodics (to control contractions in colon), or approved IBS agents.