Women's Health

Women and men vary in the way their gastrointestinal tracts function. Women’s digestive systems tend to be more sensitive to various stimuli, including certain foods. You may initially be uncomfortable discussing the following common gastrointestinal (GI) disorders with your doctor, but it is important to communicate your symptoms in order to develop an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
One out of every 5 Americans is troubled by IBS, and women are twice as likely as men to be affected. Patients with IBS are more sensitive to stimuli, such as increased gas, and the digestive system becomes more active, so the patient may experience constipation, diarrhea or both. Symptoms may be more pronounced during a woman’s menstrual cycle.

>> TREATMENT OPTIONS: There’s no single prescription drug treatment for IBS, so lifestyle changes are recommended. A high-fiber diet and good hydration are helpful for constipation. Avoid junk food, fried foods and overeating. Watch out for foods that trigger symptoms. IBS is more pronounced during stressful times, so acupuncture, biofeedback, deep-breathing exercises, yoga or meditation can reduce symptoms.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Better known as acid reflux, GERD affects women and men equally. It is caused by excess acid production, and symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, swallowing difficulty or dry cough. If you need antacids for more than 2 consecutive weeks, it’s time to see your physician. Left untreated, GERD can cause ulcers, bleeding, damage to the lining of the esophagus and narrowing of the esophagus.

>> TREATMENT OPTIONS: Quitting smoking, losing weight, wearing loose-fitting clothes and not lying down for 3 hours after a meal can help. Stay clear of triggers such as caffeine, fatty and spicy foods, tomato sauce, mint, chocolate and alcohol. Medications include antacids, histamine blockers and proton-pump inhibitors.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) com-prises 2 disorders: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD causes a chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall, resulting in symptoms of bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and weight loss. Diagnosis is made by a combination of laboratory studies, colonoscopy and biopsies.

>> TREATMENT OPTIONS: Medications to reduce inflammation. During pregnancy, IBD can improve, worsen or remain unchanged.

Gallstones
Since estrogen and progesterone affect the way the body processes cholesterol, women are twice as likely to develop gallstones as men. Progesterone also slows the emptying of the gallbladder. If you have a family history of gallstones, discuss this with your physician.

Colon cancer
Colon cancer affects women and men equally. This is a highly preventable disease if you pay attention to warning symptoms and undergo regular screenings. Guidelines recommend that women be screened at age 50, but if you have a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps, you should be screened earlier.

>> TREATMENT OPTIONS: Advancements in minimally invasive and sphincter-preserving surgery have improved the quality of life for patients after treatment. Also, new developments in chemotherapy and radiation have increased survival rates.


Dr. Nimisha K. Parekh is a UC Irvine board-certified gastroenterologist. For an appointment, please call 888.717.GIMD (4463).