Problems with digestion are pretty common. It's estimated that around 40% of adults have a digestive issue at any one time.
Diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, stomach cramps, indigestion and heartburn are classic symptoms. Many are short-term and easily treated, but there are a number of more serious digestive health conditions.
Your digestive tract is around 25 to 30 feet long (8 to 9 metres). It starts at your mouth and goes through your stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum and anus. It's responsible for turning what we eat into nutrients needed for energy, growth and cell repair.
1. A common problem
Digestive health problems are common, whether they are treated with over-the-counter medicines or need other medical treatment.
"Digestive health is a huge issue," says Dr Anton Emmanuel, consultant gastroenterologist and medical director of the digestive disorders foundation CORE. "GPs estimate it accounts
for around 10% of the patients they see."
2. Keep a journal
Keeping a record of the particular symptoms you are experiencing and after what activities they happen can help to establish a diagnosis.
"The core to a lot of treatments is symptom management," says Dr Emmanuel. "Keeping a diary of your symptoms, and when they occur, helps you and your GP to work out triggers. Self management is often the key for digestive problems."
3. IBS has different symptoms
Irritable bowel syndrome manifests itself in different ways. In some people it can cause diarrhoea, in others constipation, and in others alternating constipation and diarrhoea. Bloating, abdominal spasms and nausea are also common IBS symptoms.
"IBS is very common. It's said we all have it from time to time," says Dr Nick Read, chair of the IBS network. "Fifteen percent of the population experience it, slightly more women than men with the peak age quite young at 18-35 years of age."
"It's hard to diagnose from a positive point of view," says Dr Read. "Doctors often diagnose after ruling out other conditions like coeliac disease, colitis, Crohn's disease and cancer."
4. How you feel affects your IBS
IBS isn't all in your head as some people used to be told but, "It does have a psychological component," says Dr Read.
He adds: "Most people with IBS have had some emotional event going on, possibly a bout of anxiety or depression or their IBS started after a period of trauma like a death or break up of a relationship. Stress can trigger symptoms, that's why it's referred to as sensitive gut."
5. Don't miss meals
Drinking water helps keep your digestive system working well and so does eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and wholegrains, which are packed with fibre to encourage waste to pass through your system.
"There are lots of things you can do to help your digestive health," says Dr Emmanuel. "The priority is regularity of meals. Don't skip breakfast, lunch or dinner. Have three meals a day."
6. Gluten and lactose
Some people suffer digestive symptoms because they have a reaction to gluten, which is found in grains like wheat and barley, but also in a range of other common food products. Coeliac disease is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by a reaction to gluten which causes damage to the lining of the gut. Coeliac UK estimates 1 in 100 people have the condition. Once diagnosed, it's treated by following a gluten-free diet.
An intolerance to lactose can also cause digestive symptoms like bloating, wind and diarrhoea. It's when the body can't digest a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. Seek medical advice for a diagnosis before cutting out milk and dairy. If your doctor suspects it is an intolerance they may suggest avoiding lactose for a period of time to see if there's any effect.
Don't assume gluten or lactose is causing your problems. "Avoid being too faddy," says Dr Emmanuel. "Gluten and lactose intolerance is far less prevalent than people fear and if you really don't need to cut out foods, a balanced diet that's not restrictive is much better for you in general."
7. Ditch the detox
Detox diets and colonic irrigation that promise to get rid of the toxins in your body sound like a real treat for your digestive system, but they are an unnecessary waste of time.
"There's no evidence that detoxifying diets work," says Dr Emmanuel. "If your body is healthy with a good immune system that's enough to detoxify it. You definitely don't need regular colonics."
8. Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria found in foods, products or supplements that can have health benefits. They can help to restore the healthy balance of bacteria in the gut and may help with some digestive problems. They can help prevent the diarrhoea that you sometimes get when taking antibiotics.
"After a course of antibiotics, to encourage probiotics have some yoghurt that contains live bacteria," says Dr Emmanuel. "Probiotic products work for some people but not for others as people's gut bacteria is different."
9. Talk about your problem
Digestive health is sometimes not talked about as freely as other health issues through embarrassment and awkwardness.
"There's also slight guilt with digestive problems," says Dr Emmanuel. "A feeling that it may be your fault because of what you've eaten or what you've done."
"Always seek help and talk over a problem with your GP unless there's an obvious cause that you are aware of, rather than trying to treat it yourself as you may make it worse," he adds.
10. Warning signs
Symptoms may be uncomfortable but harmless. However, in some instances they can be more serious. They may be the result of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms also include blood in diarrhoea, pain and extreme fatigue. Certain cancers can also cause digestive problems, so your GP will want to rule out more serious conditions for your peace of mind.
If you have bleeding from your bottom, a persistent change in bowel habits, dramatic weight loss, increasing heartburn, indigestion or stomach pain, or difficulty swallowing, seek prompt medical advice.
Source: webmd.boot
Your digestive tract is around 25 to 30 feet long (8 to 9 metres). It starts at your mouth and goes through your stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum and anus. It's responsible for turning what we eat into nutrients needed for energy, growth and cell repair.
1. A common problem
Digestive health problems are common, whether they are treated with over-the-counter medicines or need other medical treatment.
"Digestive health is a huge issue," says Dr Anton Emmanuel, consultant gastroenterologist and medical director of the digestive disorders foundation CORE. "GPs estimate it accounts
for around 10% of the patients they see."
2. Keep a journal
Keeping a record of the particular symptoms you are experiencing and after what activities they happen can help to establish a diagnosis.
"The core to a lot of treatments is symptom management," says Dr Emmanuel. "Keeping a diary of your symptoms, and when they occur, helps you and your GP to work out triggers. Self management is often the key for digestive problems."
3. IBS has different symptoms
Irritable bowel syndrome manifests itself in different ways. In some people it can cause diarrhoea, in others constipation, and in others alternating constipation and diarrhoea. Bloating, abdominal spasms and nausea are also common IBS symptoms.
"IBS is very common. It's said we all have it from time to time," says Dr Nick Read, chair of the IBS network. "Fifteen percent of the population experience it, slightly more women than men with the peak age quite young at 18-35 years of age."
"It's hard to diagnose from a positive point of view," says Dr Read. "Doctors often diagnose after ruling out other conditions like coeliac disease, colitis, Crohn's disease and cancer."
4. How you feel affects your IBS
IBS isn't all in your head as some people used to be told but, "It does have a psychological component," says Dr Read.
He adds: "Most people with IBS have had some emotional event going on, possibly a bout of anxiety or depression or their IBS started after a period of trauma like a death or break up of a relationship. Stress can trigger symptoms, that's why it's referred to as sensitive gut."
5. Don't miss meals
Drinking water helps keep your digestive system working well and so does eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and wholegrains, which are packed with fibre to encourage waste to pass through your system.
"There are lots of things you can do to help your digestive health," says Dr Emmanuel. "The priority is regularity of meals. Don't skip breakfast, lunch or dinner. Have three meals a day."
6. Gluten and lactose
Some people suffer digestive symptoms because they have a reaction to gluten, which is found in grains like wheat and barley, but also in a range of other common food products. Coeliac disease is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by a reaction to gluten which causes damage to the lining of the gut. Coeliac UK estimates 1 in 100 people have the condition. Once diagnosed, it's treated by following a gluten-free diet.
An intolerance to lactose can also cause digestive symptoms like bloating, wind and diarrhoea. It's when the body can't digest a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. Seek medical advice for a diagnosis before cutting out milk and dairy. If your doctor suspects it is an intolerance they may suggest avoiding lactose for a period of time to see if there's any effect.
Don't assume gluten or lactose is causing your problems. "Avoid being too faddy," says Dr Emmanuel. "Gluten and lactose intolerance is far less prevalent than people fear and if you really don't need to cut out foods, a balanced diet that's not restrictive is much better for you in general."
7. Ditch the detox
Detox diets and colonic irrigation that promise to get rid of the toxins in your body sound like a real treat for your digestive system, but they are an unnecessary waste of time.
"There's no evidence that detoxifying diets work," says Dr Emmanuel. "If your body is healthy with a good immune system that's enough to detoxify it. You definitely don't need regular colonics."
8. Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria found in foods, products or supplements that can have health benefits. They can help to restore the healthy balance of bacteria in the gut and may help with some digestive problems. They can help prevent the diarrhoea that you sometimes get when taking antibiotics.
"After a course of antibiotics, to encourage probiotics have some yoghurt that contains live bacteria," says Dr Emmanuel. "Probiotic products work for some people but not for others as people's gut bacteria is different."
9. Talk about your problem
Digestive health is sometimes not talked about as freely as other health issues through embarrassment and awkwardness.
"There's also slight guilt with digestive problems," says Dr Emmanuel. "A feeling that it may be your fault because of what you've eaten or what you've done."
"Always seek help and talk over a problem with your GP unless there's an obvious cause that you are aware of, rather than trying to treat it yourself as you may make it worse," he adds.
10. Warning signs
Symptoms may be uncomfortable but harmless. However, in some instances they can be more serious. They may be the result of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms also include blood in diarrhoea, pain and extreme fatigue. Certain cancers can also cause digestive problems, so your GP will want to rule out more serious conditions for your peace of mind.
If you have bleeding from your bottom, a persistent change in bowel habits, dramatic weight loss, increasing heartburn, indigestion or stomach pain, or difficulty swallowing, seek prompt medical advice.
Source: webmd.boot
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