An introduction digestion problems
Most of us have been there:
- I feel so bloated and wish I had resisted that extra helping of food
- I should not have had that last piece of chocolate as I am now feeling a bit ‘sick’
- I’m having to strain to open my bowels – I should eat more vegetables
Symptoms of indigestion and constipation will be familiar to all of us. They usually have an identifiable cause and resolve quickly. So, when do these ‘normal digestion symptoms’ become ‘digestion problems’?
How do I know if my digestive system is working well?
If your digestive system is happy and healthy, you should:
- have a good appetite
- be emptying your bowels once or twice a day
- have soft but formed faeces
- suffer no cramps or pain when you are eating or emptying your bowels
- experience symptoms of indigestion only on the odd occasion and usually when you have eaten too much
- have little or no bloating, wind, gas or flatulence
- generally feel well and have enough energy to see you through the day.
And what if it’s not so healthy?
If your digestive system isn’t as healthy as it should be, you may find that you begin to feel tired, unwell or lacking in energy. It is worth finding out what can be done:
- If you experience abdominal cramps and pain often, during or after meals, you may have an indigestion problem or dyspepsia
- If you are not passing faeces regularly and the faeces you do pass are hard or pellet-like, it is likely that you are experiencing constipation
- Excessive bloating or excessive burping could also be a sign of indigestion or other disorders of the digestive system such as food intolerances.
Simple steps to help:
Simple steps to help your digestion include the following:
- Chew well - this is the first step to good digestion
- Eat slowly and mindfully - eating slowly, deliberately and limiting sources of stress and directions will all help to support optimal digestive functions
- Prioritise water - drinking plenty of water daily (around 1.5l minimum), but apart from meals, will help to support digestive processes
- Introduce bitters - bitter herbs have been used traditionally at the start of meals to help gently stimulate digestion. If you struggle to get enough bitter wholefoods in, herbal bitters drops are also a good option.
- Listen to symptoms – depending on your symptoms some digestive remedies, as appropriate, may be helpful Digestisan is licensed for symptoms of indigestion or flatulence and Silicol Gel is indicated for symptoms of IBS including nausea or abdominal pain.
