Common digestive health issues and how to tackle them

They may not be widely discussed but digestive issues are more common that you might think. According to gut health charity, Guts UK, 43% of people suffer from digestive issues in their lifetime so the chances are that you, or someone you know will have suffered from anything from abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloating or constipation at some point in time.

So, what causes these issues and what can be done about them?

Some people may experience an increase in digestive problems when they’re feeling anxious or nervous. That’s because when feeling like this, the body releases some hormones and chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline that enter the digestive system. The presence of these hormones in the gut can affect the microorganisms that live along your intestine and result in a chemical imbalance which can cause several digestive health issues.

If you’re suffering from various digestive health issues, it may help to restore the balance of bacteria in your gut. A good place to start with this is to look at your diet: are you eating enough gut-loving foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, pulses and fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir. If you are aware of any troublesome foods that cause you discomfort, you could think about how to reduce the amount of these you eat, or try eating them a different way. For example, some foods may trigger issues when eaten raw, but not when cooked. Is your diet rich in fibre and are you drinking enough water?