Singapore General Hospital experts reveal the top 5 stomach conditions that can affect women. These conditions can be as minor as constipation or as major as colorectal cancer.
1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
What is it?
IBS is a functional problem of the intestine due to contractions of the stomach/intestines. If the contractions are slow, the result is constipation. Diarrhoea is the result of excessively fast contractions. An IBS patient can alternate between constipation and diarrhoea symptoms. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, distension/bloating, pain relief with defecation, loose stools, the feeling of incomplete defecation and mucus with stool.
If IBS occurs higher up in the intestines, there might be belching and indigestion. IBS is largely associated with stress, abnormal intestinal motility and food intolerance. Sometimes, its symptoms can be triggered by a bout of gastrointestinal infection such as gastric flu.
Who gets it?
Women of any age, including teenagers.
Solution
There are medications to relieve constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, pain and distension. Non-drug treatments include dietary manipulation such as fibre supplements for constipation and stress management.
See Nearly One in 10 Singaporeans Suffers From IBS
2. Haemorrhoids
What is it?
Haemorrhoids refers to a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed. Popularly known as piles, it is characterised by rectal bleeding, anal discomfort and/or pain, swelling and difficulty in moving bowels. These might be accompanied by anal skin tags and fissures (small cracks around the anus). Piles are commonly caused by chronic constipation, which is in turn associated with a low-fibre diet.
Who gets it?
Women of all ages. It is particularly common in pregnant women because there is excessive pressure on the region due to increased weight as well as the tendency to strain during bowel movement.
Solution
Stool softeners and fibre products may be recommended to ease bowel movement, while venotonic agents are the weapons of choice for the veins. Dietary manipulation like increased fibre intake will also help. In cases where the above treatments don’t work, there is rubber band ligation. This consists of using rings to bunch up the haemorrhoids, thereby cutting off the blood supply and causing them to drop off.
In more severe cases, laser is used to remove the haemorrhoids. The latest technique is staple haemorrhoid surgery, where a staple gun is used instead of laser excision. No screening is necessary for this problem.
3. Peptic ulcers
What is it?
Peptic ulcers are stomach (gastric) and duodenal ulcers or complications of ulcer disease in the small intestines. The common symptoms are abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and the passing of black stools. Patients may also have anaemic symptoms, like giddiness and breathlessness.
Stomach cancer may have very similar symptoms to peptic ulcers.There are two main causes of peptic ulcers. The first is the H. pylori bacteria that is believed to be acquired during the course of life (usually relatively early). The second is excessive intake of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as painkillers and aspirin.
Who gets it?
Adult women
Solution
Acid suppressants help heal ulcers of different causes. In addition, multiple antibiotics need to be given if caused by the bacteria. Avoiding NSAIDS altogether will help healing and prevent the reoccurrence of NSAIDS-associated ulcers.
4. Constipation
What is it?
Constipation refers to difficulty in defecating. Other symptoms include bloatedness, discomfort and the frequent urge to defecate. It is caused by inadequate fibre and water intake. Constipation is the result of slow intestinal motility when it is associated with IBS.
Who gets it?
Women of all ages
Solution
Stool softeners and dietary fibre can help to increase motility, but the best solution is dietary manipulation. Constipation sufferers should eat an adequate amount of fibre and drink more water.
5. Colorectal cancer
What is it?
Colorectal cancer is cancer of the large intestines. This disease is curable if detected in the early stages. Patients may complain of blood in the stools, a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain, anaemia and a lump in the abdomen. This condition is largely associated with a meat- and oil-rich diet, insufficient fibre intake, environmental (food preservatives) and genetic factors.
Who gets it?
Although it can be found in women of all ages, it is more common in women above 50. Women with a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of the disease or a long-standing history of inflammation of the large intestines have a higher chance of developing colorectal cancer.
Solution
Surgery is the main treatment of colorectal cancer. If the cancer has spread to her parts of the body, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (radiation) may be used.
See our 7 tips to lower your risk of colorectal cancer |