Have you ever heard unusual sounds coming from your tummy? Have you ever had a stomach ache, feelings of bloating, and constipation? Many people do, and it’s sometimes because of problems with digestive health.
While a trip to the doctor is sometimes recommended, especially if you are experiencing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, there are also times when a few lifestyle changes might improve the way you are feeling.
When we take steps to improve our digestive health, everything within our digestive system should start to work as it should, and our life should then return to normal.
Here are some useful lifestyle tips when it comes to improving your digestive health.
#1: Eat healthy foods
Greasy, fried, and processed foods can be bad for our digestive health, so if you’re experiencing any digestive problems, a switch to healthier foods can be effective.
Experts recommend getting your daily dose of vitamin C, as well as foods that are high in fibre and protein.
Probiotics and prebiotics are also good for digestion, and regular glasses of water can help too.
Your local supermarket will sell much of what you need, but consider shopping online for gut health supplements to complement your regular diet.
When you start eating better, you should experience fewer tummy troubles.
#2: Eat properly
It’s not always about what you eat, as it’s how you eat that can have an effect too.
If you rush your food, overeat, or skip meals, you can create problems within your digestive system.
Instead, take your time with every mouthful, eat reasonable sized portions, and avoid large meals just before bedtime.
Wash down your food with a glass of water at each meal too, as this will aid your digestive processes.
By following these good habits, you should experience fewer instances of bloating, gas, and stomach ache.
#3: Cut out your bad habits
Smoking can cause acid reflux, and this can lead to stomach ulcers and inflammatory conditions of the bowel. It can also cause stomach cancer.
Binge drinking can increase acid production in your tummy, and this can aggravate certain digestive disorders.
And sitting down in front of the TV after eating can slow down the digestive process. You might then experience constipation, heartburn, and bloating. We’re sure you get the picture.
Exercise a little after eating, and cut down on smoking and alcohol. These are things you should do anyway for your overall health and wellbeing, but if you ever needed another incentive, let your digestive system be it.
#4: Try to reduce your stress
We all get stressed, but if we do nothing about how we’re feeling, we can experience certain health issues. Some of these are attached to our digestive system, as stress and anxiety can upset our digestive system.
Stress can slow down the process of digestion in some people, leading to constipation and bloating.
For others, it can mean more frequent trips to the bathroom because of diarrhoea.
Stress can also worsen pre-existing conditions, such as stomach ulcers and IBS.
We can then become caught in a vicious cycle when our physical state makes us stress out more, so do what you can to find stress relief to prevent any potential digestive problems.
Visit your GP if you can’t resolve your digestive issues
I hope these suggestions were useful, but if you still experience digestive problems after taking these steps, make an appointment with your doctor.
While there may be nothing wrong with you, it is also important to remember that there could be underlying causes behind the digestive issues you’re experiencing that might have nothing to do with the lifestyle you lead.
A consultation with your GP will be the first step towards remedying any other problem.
Very helpful, thank you. I find that stress makes so much difference that I can end up forgetting about the impact of nutrition, which is incredibly important.