Maintaining a Healthy Bowel
An upset digestive system can make you feel bloated and sluggish, so maintaining a healthy bowel is really important for your quality of life. The digestive system can be upset easily; an unhealthy diet, antibiotics, stress and travel are some of the common causes.
Did you know?
- 1 in 3 people suffer with digestive problems
- 2 in 5 people experience stress-induced digestive problems
Many people suffer from digestive related problems at one time or another. One third of the population regularly suffer from digestive illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, stomach-ache, nausea and sickness and 60% of British adults have experienced digestive problems when in stressful situations.
There are things that you can do to ease or avoid bowel problems such as;
- Eat a balanced diet
- Drink enough fluids
- Limit the amount of alcohol you consume
- Chew your food well
- Don’t miss meals.
The bacteria within your intestines are key to a good digestive health. It may help some people to maintain a favourable balance by taking a probiotic product each day (try a two-week trial to see if they help). This tops up the ‘good’ bacteria you should already have in your large intestine.
Being overweight or obese can affect health in general and is especially the case with regards to our digestive system.
Exercise
It is important to try and exercise regularly but don’t overdo it. You should aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity at least five times a week. It helps to vary the type of exercise that you. Try different activities such as swimming, walking, aerobic activities and Pilates, and Yoga. Please seek advice from your doctor or physiotherapist if you have a medical condition or mobility difficulties
Drink water whilst exercising to replace any water lost and to remain hydrated.
Sphincter exercises – these are specific exercises that focus on the anal sphincter muscle. These exercises can help to improve bowel control.