Sugar Malabsorption : What's Really Causing Your Digestive Problems?
If you stay bloated, gassy, and tired, even after taking antacids, you may have a sugar malabsorption problem. The symptoms of sugar malabsorption can mimic the symptoms of more commonly known inflammatory bowel conditions, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. If your regular doctor can't find any signs that indicate you have an inflammatory bowel condition, you symptoms can continue to plague you. You can learn more about sugar malabsorption and how it affects your health with the information below.
What's Sugar Malabsorption?
Your body's tissues and organs need sugars like fructose to create energy and maintain their functions. You find the best and healthiest sources of sugar in fruit, some vegetables, and even dairy products like low fat milk. Unhealthy sugar comes from candies, cakes, and even some sports bars. Once sugar of any type enters your digestive system, it absorbs into your blood. But for some people, their digestive system's small intestine can't break down fructose properly. This is called sugar malabsorption.
Sugar malabsorption can trigger a number of problems that range from mild stomach discomfort to excess gas and bloating. You may even become tired or sluggish because your body doesn't receive the glucose it needs to make energy.
It's possible for sugar malabsorption to lead to other digestive problems including irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. If your doctor didn't diagnose or find signs of IBS during your previous exams, they may not think to check you for the condition later. In this case, you must take steps to diagnose and treat your symptoms properly.
How Do You Stop Your Symptoms?
It's a good idea that you cut down on foods that contain sugar until you see a specialist who treats digestive system disorders. You don't want to aggravate or make your problems worse. Also, make a list of things you eat now and in the past. A specialist may use the list to confirm that you have a sugar absorption condition.
Depending on the specialist you see, they may order blood, bowel, and urine tests for you. If your body contains high levels of undigested sugar, it may help a specialist diagnose you correctly. You may also need to undergo additional testing to rule out other conditions like IBS and Crohn's disease.
After a specialist, such as someone from Kinston Medical Specialists PA, confirms your condition, they may change your diet to control your symptoms. You may need to only eat a certain amount of natural sugar a day to meet your body's needs. The amount may depend on your sex and age. For instance, if you're male, you may only need 38 grams of sugar a day. A digestive system specialist can discuss your needs during your treatment.
If you have concerns about your symptoms or need services, contact a specialist today.