4 Medical Diagnoses Relating To Food and Digestion

One of the basic human needs, along with warmth and safety, is a healthy, well-balanced, and plentiful diet.

However, it may surprise you to learn that there is a wide plethora of exceedingly common medical complaints, issues, and diagnoses relating directly to eating and the digestive system. Furthermore, many are experienced by millions of people across the length and breadth of the United States and beyond.

Continue reading to learn about the four most common and manageable medical diagnoses directly relating to food and digestion.

Eating Disorders

Unfortunately, the prevalence of eating disorders has not diminished over the years. If anything, even though fewer people are suffering in silence, social media platforms, magazines, and photographic airbrushing have resulted in younger girls following suit.

Bulimia, anorexia, and compulsive overeating disorder should never be ignored, and help should be sought by the individual or by a trusted close friend or family member on their behalf. Seeking medical help is the first step to recovery.

Dysphagia

Essentially, the term dysphagia is used to describe the medical state of being unable to or having difficulty chewing or swallowing. The condition affects people of all ages, although it is substantially more prevalent in older adults and the elderly.
Signs of dysphagia include drooling, gagging or choking when attempting to eat, difficulty in swallowing, coughing when chewing, and the sensation of a foreign object being stuck or lodged in the back of the throat.

Symptoms of dysphagia can be managed by a combination of changing one’s posture when eating and seeking professional help with a therapist or your medical doctor. One of the most rapidly effective ways of aiding symptoms is investing in some thickening liquids from a reputable and established supplier such as SimplyThick thickener packet.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition, otherwise referred to as poor nutrition, is caused simply by failing to give your body the right amounts and types of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. Perhaps surprisingly, malnutrition refers to not only not receiving enough nutrients but also to a condition caused by receiving more nutrients than are required.

If you feel as if you have lost a significant amount of weight, wholly unintentionally, over a short period of time, are no longer interested in eating for pleasure, feel lethargic and demotivated, and are taking longer to recover from a common cold. It may be possible that you are currently experiencing malnutrition.
Make an appointment with your medical doctor as soon as you possibly can to find out if you are indeed malnourished what to do next. If you are not malnourished, your doctor will be able to determine the alternate cause of the symptoms.

Tooth Decay & Gum Disease

Problems with the digestive system usually start inside the mouth and involve either the teeth, gums, tongue, or lips, with tooth decay and gum disease being two of the most common.

Tooth decay is caused by dental plaque that should have ordinarily been removed by regular teeth brushing, and if the plaque is allowed to breed and build exponentially, this can cause full-on gum disease.

This guide outlines four common health issues related to food and some advice on how to overcome these.