Rising gastrointestinal issues in the UK:
Understanding the causes and managing the symptoms
Mr Samuel Ford - Consultant Upper GI Surgeon
13th January 2025
Gastrointestinal issues (GI) are on the rise in the UK. While over half (58%) the population suffers with uncomfortable symptoms, nearly two-thirds of us are still too embarrassed to talk about gut health.
In a bid to shed light on this subject, we’ve spoken to our consultant surgeon, Sam Ford. After graduating from the University of Birmingham in 2001, Sam undertook specialist surgical training in general and upper GI surgery. He’s an expert in all things related to gastroenterology and discusses everything from common GI issues, symptoms and treatment options.
What are some of the most common gastrointestinal issues you see in your practice?
In my private practice, the two most common issues I see are gallstones and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
Gallstones in particular can be difficult to diagnose because they don’t always have obvious symptoms. Even when a patient is symptomatic, it’s very easy for their concerns to be mistaken for something else.
Typically however, common symptoms include:
Pain in the upper right abdomen which can move up the back into the lower chest and right shoulder blade. This pain can come in waves and can be very debilitating
Pain after eating fatty or spicy foods
Waking up in the middle of the night (usually around 2/3am) in pain
Flatulence and/or abdominal bloating
Biliary dyskinesia, a condition where the gallbladder or bile ducts don’t work properly, causing problems with the flow of bile, typically causes more constant pain which occurs after eating
Do you see an increase in digestive issues over periods such as Christmas? If so, why do you think that is?
Absolutely, yes! We consume a lot of rich foods and drink over the festive period which can trigger symptoms of GI conditions. We see a lot of patients who are suffering from digestive issues in January, but this is also because it ties into people wishing to be healthier in the New Year. This is commonly a time patients set resolutions and on the back of that, decide to get their symptoms checked out once and for all.
Is there anything people can do to avoid or lessen symptoms over periods that are typically synonymous with eating and drinking, such as Christmas or going on holiday?
If you suffer from a condition such as biliary colic, avoiding fatty and spicy foods is key. Both are big triggers of painful and uncomfortable symptoms.
As with any health concern, it’s important that patients make lifestyle modifications. This may include:
Avoid eating late at night
Don’t lay flat in bed. Try sleeping with a couple pillows so you’re more upright or you can tilt the head of your bed up with something hard and sturdy such as bricks
Keep a food diary so you’re aware of your triggers (this can be anything from red wine to raspberries)
Sleep on your left side to prevent acid reaching the oesophagus
Losing weight (if needed), can help to alleviate symptoms because the weight of the abdomen pushes stomach content into the oesophagus)
Take over-the-counter antacids at night
Speak to your doctor about being prescribed a medication which can help relieve symptoms
58% of the population suffers with uncomfortable symptoms
Do you think gastrointestinal issues have become more common in recent years and if so, why do you think this is?
We have undoubtedly seen a rise in GI conditions in recent years, but I think this is twofold. It’s partly down to the fact that access to the internet means people can better educate themselves and they’re therefore simply more aware of what could be causing their symptoms. Obesity is also a big driver of course. Being overweight puts us at greater risk of gallstones and GORD, while highly processed foods are often big triggers of GI symptoms.
What are the treatment options for anyone who regularly suffers with gastrointestinal issues?
Firstly, we always like to promote the lifestyle changes I mentioned earlier. Aside from alleviating symptoms, it can prevent them occurring in the first place.
Some patients find over-the-counter antacids are enough to help with symptoms while others may need a prescription medication such as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or H2 blockers.
Fundoplication is a type of surgery which can treat GORD. As with any surgery, there’s a low risk of side effects, but generally it’s very effective at treating the symptoms of this condition.
Aside from helping to relieve uncomfortable symptoms, why is it important for people to seek treatment if they have ongoing digestive problems?
If gallstones are big or have been trapped for a long time, they may cause an infection which can be incredibly painful. A simple ultrasound of the gallbladder can pick up on this and antibiotics are then prescribed to get rid of the infection. If left however, removal of the gallbladder may be required, or in serious cases, acute pancreatitis may develop, which can be life-threatening. Chronic GORD can weaken the sphincter, a ring of muscle between the oesophagus (food pipe) and the stomach, which can lead to a hiatal hernia, when part of the stomach pushes up into the chest area. Although rare, type 3 or 4 hiatal hernias can cause serious problems. At this stage, much of the stomach is in the chest rather than the abdomen, it can twist and then cut off blood supply to the stomach. As I said, this is rare but highlights the importance of getting symptoms checked out sooner rather than later. We would much rather carry out keyhole surgery than rush patients in for an emergency operation.
