Spicy Summer Food and Stomach Issues? When It’s Time for Endoscopy

Summer in India brings with it intense heat, dehydration, and a shift in dietary habits. Chaat on the street, pickles, crispy fried snacks, hot spicy curries - they fill our plates daily; and during outdoor summer events and gatherings, we eat even more of these delicious spicy foods. But those spicy treats can create havoc in our gut and cause frightening symptoms like heartburn and even throbbing stomach pain. If this summer you have experienced consistent bloating or indigestion or deadly stomach pain after eating spicy foods, your body might be sending more than just an indication of a temporary stomach upset, but instead a signal that something is deeper, it may need an endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract.

An endoscopy is a minimally invasive exam where a doctor uses a camera with a tube to visually see the organs and tissue inside your stomach, esophagus, and small intestine. It is an important diagnostic tool for gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, gastritis, acid reflux, and sometimes early indications of pancreatitis (which can be dangerous because we often don't notice and it develops until it is very bad).

When Should You Worry?

While it’s easy to dismiss feelings of abdominal pain and discomfort after having spicy food as a flare up that may not last long, there can be greater implications to those symptoms during the summer season. Factors like heightened dehydration rates, increased rates of bile production as well as impaired digestion can escalate simple symptoms. These can heighten the sensitivity and inflammation of the gut, and perhaps lay the foundation for more severe underlying issues such as chronic gastritis and pancreatitis. What starts as common heartburn might develop into chronic symptoms of upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, indicating the need to investigate with an endoscopy to be clear about the internal state of your digestive system.

Summer pancreatitis symptoms will also commonly present with several degrees of intensity beginning with very general stomach complaints (abdominal pain, nausea, vomit, etc.) before becoming more severe (intense pain radiating to the back, fever, rapid pulse, etc.) and progressing to the inflammatory process. If pancreatitis goes untreated, it could result in severe complications (infection, internal bleeding, organ damage, etc.) What I will argue for here is the importance of timely screening if there are signs of increased risk and danger.

Signs You Might Need an Endoscopy This Summer:
 

• Persistent or recurring abdominal pain, especially after meals
• Difficulty swallowing or feeling of food getting stuck
• Severe acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms
• Chronic bloating, gas, or stomach cramps
• Nausea and vomiting not linked to food poisoning
• Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
• Black or tarry stools (possible signs of internal bleeding)
• History of ulcers or gastritis that’s flaring up again
• Burning sensation in the upper abdomen even without spicy food
• Suspected summer pancreatitis symptoms, including sharp pain, fever, and loss of appetite.

Why Summer Increases Digestive Risk

Your digestive system is delicate in terms of temperature and hydration status. In hot, sweaty months, we have a physiological response to this heat when we will shut down blood flow to the gut and send all of it to the skin to cool. This reduces blood flow to the gut which is critical for digestion and the break down of complex foods like oily foods or spicy foods. You add a hydration deficit and a lack of consistent food and the stomach lining is irritated.

For anyone with some pre-existing conditions with gastritis, reflux, or the like, or even a history with pancreatitis, summer is really a vulnerable time. The use of alcohol, which is common at summer festivities, is an additional risk because it contributes to inflammation of the pancreas. Combined this can make summer a high-risk time for flare-ups. They can be very serious, especially if you have even had one episode of acute pancreatitis in the past, ignoring the symptoms of summer pancreatitis can lead to the same.

Don’t Ignore the Signals – Prioritize Gut Health

Is your stomach feeling more unsettled than usual this summer season, especially after eating spicy or greasy food? Rather than guessing, now is the time to get more serious about diagnosis. Endoscopy is a simple, effective procedure that helps:  catch internal problems sooner rather than later and ultimately help prevent chronic digestive disease from worsening. 

At GEM Hospital, our specialized gastroenterologists have expertise in  diagnosing and treating complicated gastrointestinal symptoms. We utilize high-definition scope technology to produce accurate and painless results.  Whether you are having indigestion, ulcers or suspected symptoms of summer pancreatitis, you are one step away from answers and relief. 

There is no need to suffer for longer than necessary. Book your endoscopy appointment today at GEM Hospital and kickstart your summer of health and enjoyment.