Preventing Digestion Problems

The digestive system is essential to helping your body break down food so that it can adequately retrieve nutrients and vitamins while also getting rid of waste. 
 

It’s composed of the following organs: mouth, esophagus, liver, stomach, gallbladder, small and large intestines, pancreas, anus and rectum. When something is disturbed within the digestive system, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms.
 

The most common digestive problems include constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn (acid reflux), nausea and vomiting, intestinal cramps. In order to prevent these problems, let’s learn about some effective tips from American International Hospital (AIH):
 

When you eat a big meal, your digestive system is overloaded, and it may not be able to handle food as well as it should. This can cause heartburn from acids going back from the stomach into the esophagus. Such stomach overload may even induce gas, nausea, or vomiting.
 

Aiming to consume five to six mini meals a day can help promote overall good digestive health. You should also avoid lying down after eating. This increases the risk of heartburn and nausea.

 

When it comes to digestive health, fiber is a key component. Fiber is the bulk in plant foods that can’t be digested and can be divided into soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber creates a gel in the digestive tract to keep you full, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools.
 

Getting enough fiber helps prevent digestion problems by regulating the system. Fiber is naturally available in: fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains.

 

You were recommended a total daily fiber intake of 38 grams for men under 50 and 25 grams for women in the same age group. Adults over 50 need slightly less fiber, with 30 grams a day for men and 21 grams for women.

 

Water aids your digestive health by helping to cleanse the entire system. It’s particularly helpful in preventing constipation because water helps soften your stools. Furthermore, water may help your digestive system absorb nutrients more effectively by assisting the body to break down food.
 

Aim to drink two liters of water a day and skip the sugary drinks. Added sugars can make digestion problems worse.

 

When digestion problems fail to resolve with tweaks to your lifestyle, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist. Chronic (ongoing) problems could indicate health issues that may need medical attention. These may include: acid reflux, celiac disease, colitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), severe viral or parasitic infections.

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The Gastroenterology - Hepatology Department of American International Hospital (AIH) offers a full range of testing, diagnosis and treatment services for gastrointestinal diseases. Our team consisting of highly skilled and experienced gastroenterologists focuses on giving our patients accurate diagnosis and right treatment as soon as possible.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy room is well equipped with American standard state-of-the-art facilities.