Victims of torture frequently experience gastro-intentional disorders for years following the events. Symptoms include periodic or permanent ulcer like dyspeptic symptoms, regurgitation pains, depression after eating and irritable spastic colon. Because the vast majority of victims suffer psychological problems the symptoms may be thought to be psychosomatic but other factor play a role. Frequently prisoners are given insufficient liquids or food at the beginning of the torture period. The lack of protein and roughage in prison fare adds to the problem.
In a recent study of victims of torture some 32% of them suffered from gastro-intestinal disorders.