Why food is not digested in an adult: causes, symptoms and treatment

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

One of the main problems considered by modern gastroenterology is dyspepsia. It develops when food is poorly digested in an adult or in a child, resulting in diarrhea, fecal stasis, or vomiting. Various reasons lead to the development of this disease. But most people, and according to medical statistics, up to 40% of people in developed countries experience digestive discomfort, are in no hurry to see a doctor.

Only every tenth patient comes to a consultation with a specialist. Others frivolously dismiss this problem. However, if the food is not digested in an adult and comes out partially along with the feces, then it is urgent to find out the cause of this phenomenon. It can be not only a consequence of an error in the diet, but also a symptom of a malignant neoplasm. That is why the identificationthe causes of pathology is sometimes not just getting rid of uncomfortable digestion, but an opportunity to save a person's life.

Basic stages of digestion

Food, as you know, enters our body through the mouth, where it is crushed. After that, the resulting mass moves through the esophagus to the stomach. Here, all foods become liquid and are broken down into fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Food is processed in the stomach from 15 minutes. up to 7-8 hours. The specific time depends on the type of processing of products, their temperature, as well as on the compatibility of various ingredients of the meal. Whatever remains undigested passes further into the duodenum.

At all stages of the passage of food in the digestive tract, enzymes act on it. These substances lead to the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates into separate components. As a result of this process, monosaccharides, amino acids and fatty acids are formed. All of them enter the bloodstream due to the work of the epithelium lining the walls of the small intestine. The remaining "waste" after that is sent further. Once in the large intestine, undigested food is exposed to microorganisms, which leads to the formation of toxins and toxins.

Failures in the functioning of the digestive tract

That is why this condition is popularly called "lazy stomach". Indeed, in this case, this body does not perform the functions assigned to it. This leads to the fact that food that has entered the human body lingers longer than usual instomach and is not digested as normal.

Classification

Why is food poorly digested in adults? The reason for this is the development of dyspepsia, which can be:

• Functional. This is an independent type of disease. It is due to functional indigestion.
• Organic. This type of dyspepsia is a concomitant symptom of other developing diseases. For example, indigestion of food is noted in case of poisoning, infections, cholecystitis, etc. With an organic form of pathology, structural changes occur in the cells and tissues of the digestive tract. If food is poorly digested in an adult, then the treatment of the pathology will depend on its type. That is why an accurate diagnosis is so important, which can only be done by visiting a specialist.

Classification of functional dyspepsia

The following alimentary types of pathology are distinguished:

1. Rotten. With this type of dyspepsia, food is not digested in an adult due to the excessive inclusion of protein foods in the diet. This is especially true of those that can only be digested for a long time. The breakdown of proteins is accompanied by the release of toxic substances that poison the patient's body. Such products are red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and its derivatives (sausage, etc.). The abuse of such food leads to the formation of putrefactive microflora in the intestines.
2. Fatty or soapy. Why is food not digested in an adult with this type of dyspepsia? Promotes pathologyeating too much refractory fats. They are found in pork and lamb fat, as well as in their derivatives.
3. Fermentation. This type of pathology develops due to the predominance in the menu of dishes prepared from foods that have a high carbohydrate content. Such food contributes to the development of the fermentation process. Food is not digested in an adult with excessive consumption of sweet and starchy foods, fruits and honey, cabbage and peas, legumes, home brew and kvass, pickled vegetables, etc. In this case, fermentative microflora begins to develop in the intestines.

Classification of organic dyspepsia

If food is poorly digested in an adult, the following types of enzyme deficiency can become the causes of this condition:

1. Pancreatogenic. This type of dyspepsia is caused by a lack of enzymes produced by the pancreas.
2. Gastrogenic. This type of pathology is caused by malfunctions of the secretory function performed by the stomach.
3. Enterogenic. In this case, the food is not completely digested in an adult due to a violation of the secretion of intestinal juice.
4. Hepatogenic. This type of dyspepsia is of hepatic origin.
5. Cholecystitogenic. Indigestion of food in this case is caused by a violation of bile secretion.
6. Mixed. Such dyspepsia combines several organic varieties of pathology at once.

Provoking factors

Why is food not digested in an adult?

Currentlygastroenterologists have not yet identified the specific causes of the lazy stomach syndrome. Nevertheless, it is known for certain that the development of pathology is facilitated by the influence of certain factors. Among them:

• overeating, malnutrition, eating too many fatty foods;
• pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, which are chronic;
• frequent stress and psycho-emotional stress;
• maintaining a sedentary lifestyle;
• uncontrolled use of drugs, especially hormones and antibiotics;
• smoking;
• Helicobacter pylori infection;
• excessive coffee consumption;
• recent gastrointestinal infections (salmonellosis, giardiasis, etc.);
• poisoning the body with chemicals;
• age-related changes;
• dysmotility of the duodenum and stomach.

Sometimes dyspepsia occurs due to dental ailments. They are able to provoke the entry of pathogenic bacteria into the gastrointestinal tract. The syndrome of "lazy stomach" also occurs with the abuse of alcohol. Ethanol intoxication significantly impairs the functions of this organ. This is what causes people to feel nauseous during a hangover. It is provoked by undigested food, which is pushed back.

Another possible cause of the pathology is atony of the stomach. This condition leads to a decrease in the tone of its muscle layer. In this regard, the food stops moving in the right direction. She isaccumulates in the stomach, starting to put pressure on its walls. This process further reduces muscle tone. Often, atony occurs in pregnant women.

Among the possible reasons that food is not digested in an adult may be the following:

1. Weak gastric secretions. A similar process is caused by hormonal changes or malfunctions in the functioning of the secretory glands.
2. Disruptions in metabolism. Obstruction of the stomach sometimes occurs due to a slowdown in the release of enzymes that promote digestion. Such a process is evidence of enterogenic, hepatogenic, pancreatogenic or gastrogenous insufficiency.
3. Accumulation of pathogens on the gastric mucosa. Such bacteria greatly exacerbate the manifestations of pathology.

It is worth noting that when referring to a doctor with a complaint that food is not digested in an adult, the causes of functional dyspepsia in 30-35% of cases cannot be identified.

Manifestation of the syndrome

How to determine that food is not digested in an adult? Treatment of dyspepsia should be started immediately after the onset of its first symptoms, which are:

• pain in the epigastric region, which is most often disturbed at night;
• increased bloating of the intestines and stomach;
• feeling full despite a long break from eating;
• indigestion, expressed by nausea, heartburn and vomiting.

Symptoms of dyspepsia, depending on its type, may have some differences. Let's take a closer look at them.

Signs of the fermentative form of pathology

Symptoms of this type of syndrome are expressed in severe flatulence and frequent diarrhea, which is characterized by weakly colored stools with a sour odor and a liquid, foamy structure. This type of dyspepsia, provoked by food, which contains a large amount of fiber, usually proceeds in an acute form. For fermentative pathology, the presence of severe attacks is uncharacteristic, it can be successfully treated.

Signs of a putrefactive form of pathology

This type of dyspepsia occurs in people who prefer protein foods - meat, fish and eggs. Symptoms of this form of pathology are:

• diarrhea with putrid smell;
• failures of metabolic processes;
• decrease in immune defense;
• lack of appetite.

Signs of the fatty form of pathology

With this type of dyspepsia, patients complain of rumbling in the abdomen, diarrhea, bloating and general weakness. The chair in this case is liquid and frequent, light, with a predominance of either a neutral or alkaline reaction.

Microscopic examination of feces shows significant accumulations of crystals of fatty soaps and fatty acids.

Signs of organic syndrome

Symptoms of dyspepsia, which is a concomitant disease in gastrointestinal pathologies, are manifested as follows:

• general deteriorationstatus;
• fatigue;
• migraines;
• muscular weakness;
• night sleeplessness and sudden daytime sleepiness;
• diarrhea and stomach discomfort;
• intoxication and flatulence, which are not accompanied by vomiting.

Elimination of functional dyspepsia

If, for one reason or another, food is poorly digested in an adult, treatment must certainly be comprehensive. In addition to the use of medications, the patient is recommended activities that contribute to the normalization of the nature and diet, as well as lifestyle.

The course of treatment of functional dyspepsia consists in the exclusion from the menu of fatty, spicy and s alty dishes. The patient should eat up to eight times a day and at the same time in small portions. If necessary, additionally assigned:

• antacids ("Almagel", "Gaviscon");
• proton pump inhibitors ("Rabeprazole", "Omeprazole");
• sedatives ("Grandaxin", "Phenazepam").

In the case of fermentative dyspepsia, the course of treatment begins with a diet that is characterized by a low content of carbohydrate food. It is allowed to include high-protein dishes in the menu (meat broth, steamed chicken, butter) while reducing the amount of cereals, pastries, fruits, vegetables, potatoes and bread. Adsorbing substances (Polysorb, Smecta), probiotics (Bifikol,"Laktrofiltrum"), as well as enzymatic agents ("Pancreatin", "Creon"). Gradually, as the patient recovers, carbohydrate-containing foods are introduced into his diet in limited quantities.

Therapy for putrefactive dyspepsia is carried out similarly to that used for the fermentative form. First of all, foods high in protein are excluded from the diet. At the same time, probiotics and sorbents are used. The need for antibiotics is determined by the doctor.

The treatment of adipose dyspepsia is carried out with the restriction of the inclusion of fats in food. The main dishes for the patient should be fat-free cottage cheese and low-fat meat, boiled fish, etc. The consumption of carbohydrates should also be moderate. Drug treatment consists in the appointment of calcium carbonate, gastroprotectors and vitamins, including ascorbic and nicotinic acid.

Elimination of organic dyspepsia

When referring to a doctor who will make an accurate diagnosis, it will be possible to understand why food is poorly digested in an adult. Treatment of the causes of organic dyspepsia is the treatment of the underlying disease. Depending on the type of pathology, medical tactics will also be specified. For example, if the cause of lazy stomach syndrome is peptic ulcer or gastritis, then the patient is advised to:

1. Diet. Her menu excludes spicy, s alty and fatty dishes. Fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, rye bread, juices, vegetables, etc., should also be excluded from the daily diet. Worth having inmind that they all contribute to increased pain.
2. In case of detection of Helicobacter pylori infection, complex antimicrobial therapy is prescribed. It must include two types of antibiotics.
3. To normalize acidity - lower it with drugs that are part of the proton pump inhibitors group, or increase it by stimulating acid-forming cells with Plantaglucid. In the latter case, plantain juice can also be used.
4. Taking drugs that help create a protective shell for the gastric mucosa ("De-Nola", "Sucralfata", etc.)

In case of detection of an open ulcer, surgery is performed. The neoplasm that has arisen is also an indication for it.

If the "lazy stomach" syndrome is caused by a hormonal failure, then the treatment is prescribed by an endocrinologist.