Gastrointestinal Problems In Women - Know More!

The gastrointestinal system starts from the oral cavity and ends at the anus where undigested food is eliminated from the body. The esophagus, small intestine, large intestine and rectum along with organs like salivary glands, pancreas, liver and the gall bladder are all part of the gastrointestinal system. The gastrointestinal problems affect women differently than men. The symptoms which are observed in women are different than the symptoms observed in men. Some of the major areas where the women’s gastrointestinal system works differently than men’s are in the stomach, esophagus, colon and other areas.

Stomach
The process of emptying food from the stomach seems to be slower in women than in men which can be the reason why women experience nausea and bloating more than men. Another problem which affects women more than men is gastritis which causes inflammation of the stomach. Patients often take aspirin-like compounds as a quick solution for reducing the inflammation; however, this may lead to irritation in the stomach lining which can eventually lead to ulcers. Consulting a doctor is therefore advised before taking any step.

Esophagus
Esophagus is another organ which works differently for men and women. For women, especially premenopausal women, the muscle squeezes shut strenuously to make sure that the stomach juices and food stay in the stomach. Women tend to have heartburn more often than men; however, women are less likely to damage their esophagus in comparison to men.

Gallbladder Issues in Women
The process of emptying from the gallbladder is also slower in women than in men. Men are less likely to develop gallstones than women. The problem of developing gallstones is often heightened for women who are pregnant. This is usually the reason why more women develop gallstones after pregnancy. There are a number of symptoms which indicate a gallbladder disease. Any pain in the upper abdominal after eating or nausea and vomiting can indicate the risk of gallbladder diseases.

Liver and Small Intestine Issues
For the liver and small intestine, women secrete different enzymes than men. Enzymes from the liver and small intestines help in breaking down any medications they take, in the body. Since the enzymes work differently for both men and women, women handle the medications differently which either has little or too much effect on them. So patients must consult their doctors before starting any medication.