Women’s Gastrointestinal Health
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders including constipation, diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) disrupt and interfere with the daily activities and quality of life of many women.
Joanne Linevsky, MD, a gastroenterologist at Penn, states the two most common GI disorders she sees in women are acid reflux and IBS. Many women taking bisphosphonates (bone-growth supplements like Fosomax® and Boniva® to counteract osteoporosis) experience intense reflux symptoms and she has heard complaints from women taking these drugs that the reflux began when they started taking the medication. Hormonal fluctuations especially related to pregnancy and menopause may alter GI symptoms.
Fortunately, there are ways to maintain healthy GI function and alleviate digestive health problems. Not smoking, exercising and eating a nutritious diet that is low in fat and high in vegetables, fiber and calcium are all good ways to keep the digestive tract healthy.
“Most GI disorders are highly treatable. Women should be proactive in screening for certain digestive disorders and take control of their digestive health,” says Dr. Linevsky. She encourages women to seek medical attention and adopt healthy lifestyles promoting wellness and prevention. Dr. Linevsky recommends women begin screening for colon cancer at age 50 and earlier if there is a family history of the disease or they are experiencing warning signs, such as a change in bowel habits, blood in the stool or stomach discomfort.
“Occasionally colonoscopies are more difficult to perform in women, due to a slightly longer bowel and women tend to have more abdominal surgeries (cesarean sections and hysterectomies) than men that may cause adhesions or scar tissue,” states Dr. Linevsky.
Doctors at Penn understand how digestive disorders uniquely affect women.
Common GI Tests and Terms |
Endoscopy
|
A flexible tube with a camera
mounted on its end is inserted in
the mouth and advanced through
the digestive system. Small
instruments can be used to take
samples of suspicious tissue
through the tube. |
Colonoscopy |
Similar to endoscopy, the tube is
inserted through the rectum to
examine the colon. |
Endoscopic ultrasound |
A flexible tube with an ultrasound
device on its tip is used to
examine the lining of the
esophagus, stomach or
duodenum, the pancreas, or other
GI structures. |
IBS |
Irritable bowel syndrome, a
combination of abdominal pain
and altered bowel function with
many possible causes. |
IBD |
Inflammatory bowel disease, an
inflammation of the intestines
usually caused by ulcerative colitis
or Crohn’s disease. |
GERD |
Gastroesophageal reflux
disease, a condition in which
food and liquid travels from
the stomach back into
the esophagus. |
|
For more information about gastrointestinal disorders and their symptoms and treatment call 800-789-PENN(7366).
|
