The truth about the causes of peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastroparesis
Before the advent of modern medicine, the average person relied on folklore, old wives’ tales, and remedies handed down from previous generations to treat various ailments of the digestive tract. Today, despite extensive research, misunderstandings about the causes and treatments of many digestive disorders still persist. Here, then, are three common myths, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse—and the real truths based on the latest research findings.
Digestive Disorders Myth #1: Spicy foods and stress cause peptic ulcers.
Truth: Most peptic ulcers are caused by infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or by frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Spicy foods, however, can worsen peptic ulcer symptoms in some people, which is why you may want to avoid them if you have a peptic ulcer.
Digestive Disorders Myth #2: Inflammatory bowel disease is caused by psychological problems.
Truth: There’s no evidence to support the notion that Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are caused by stress, anxiety, or any other psychological problem. Instead, most experts believe these diseases are triggered by a virus or bacteria that sets off an abnormal reaction by the body’s immune system that results in inflammation in the intestines. That said, stress does appear to worsen the symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea associated with IBD.
Digestive Disorders Myth #3: Diabetes does not affect the digestive tract.
Truth: Both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes put people at risk for digestive disorders due to nerve damage (neuropathy). Neuropathy occurs when high blood glucose (sugar) levels— which result because the body doesn’t make enough insulin to remove glucose from the blood and usher it into cells—causes chemical changes and injury to the blood vessels.
For instance, damage to the vagus nerve, which controls the movement of food through the digestive tract, can lead to gastroparesis, in which the stomach empties at a slower than normal rate. Signs and symptoms of gastroparesis include heartburn, nausea, vomiting of undigested food, weight loss, stomach bloating, and spasms of the stomach wall. Neuropathy can also cause diarrhea or constipation if the nerves that control the intestines are damaged.
