BENGALURU: I am 41. I don’t feel hungry at all but I try to have food on time, thrice a day. I have an ulcer too. When I eat something spicy or sour, I feel an irritation in my stomach. Why?
Peptic ulcer is associated with either increased hunger or reduced hunger depending on whether it is in stomach or duodenum. Spicy or sour food per se does not cause ulcers but only reflects the underlying problem. Majority of ulcers are either due to pain killer – Asprin use – or related to H pylori. Hence see a gastroenterologist and get yourself treated.
I am 25. I have acidity problem. My stomach stays hard as a rock and bloated. I feel gassy and feel like pooping often. I try to eat on time but it doesn’t happen sometimes due to my work. After I eat, I burp. It hurts my back too. What can I do to deal with this?
People use the term “acidity” very loosely – here farting and bloating is probably a reflection of intestinal issue and nothing related to stomach and esophagus. Burping is a nonspecific symptom and occurs because of a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI causes. This needs workup for lactose intolerance as well as maldigestive disorders and hence you have to see your physician and meanwhile be on a lactose-free diet.
I am 24. My appetite is weak. I cannot eat more than two idlis or rotis or two of anything. Every one asks me to eat more and says that this is the age I should enjoy and eat. Is it normal to have a low appetite?
Low apetite is not normal but it is low only if it has changed compared to your prior apetite and if you feel weak and loose weight. Appetite may be supressed because of a variety of causes 1) GI – Inflammatory, motility as well as 2) distant organ diseases like those of liver, kidney, heart. Some psychiatric illness can also alter apetite. Hence if there truly a loss of appetite one needs a comprehensive workup.
- Consultant Gastroentrologist & Hepatologist, Fortis Hospital
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