IBS and constipation are common stomach problems. Leading dietitian Jane Clarke reveals 3 common tummy troubles and how to treat them
We’re often embarrassed to talk about issues that affect our bowels but, being open about symptoms can make our lives more comfortable, and potentially protect us from serious diseases.
For instance, Bowel cancer, which affects thousands of people can be curable if caught early and treated quickly.
Many bowel problems, such as constipation, can be sorted by tweaking our diet
Stress, changes in hormone levels (during menstruation or the menopause), medication and our diet all can alter our bowel habits, as can conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diverticular disease.
Many bowel problems, such as constipation, can be sorted by tweaking our diet, and the symptoms of more serious conditions alleviated by taking care about what we eat.
Jane Clarke, leading dietitian, cordon bleu chef and Founder of Nourish by Jane Clarke, explores the most common tummy troubles and offers her top tips for easing discomfort.
#1 IBS
IBS is an umbrella term for a number of symptoms including bloating, gripe, constipation, diarrhoea, wind, nausea, or a bad taste in the mouth, to name just a few.
Although any serious symptoms should be checked with a doctor, more often than not these sorts of digestive symptoms are signs that something in your lifestyle needs to be tweaked. This may not just be what you do or don’t eat.
Anxiety and stress can increase acid secretion in the stomach
Anxiety and stress can increase acid secretion in the stomach, which can change the way that your food is dealt with.
For example, anxiety can make us swallow more air, which can exacerbate gut bloating. It can make us more tense and less able to go to the toilet, so we can get into a cycle of constipation or the opposite, having to rush to the toilet when we’re worried.
Emotional upset can make us skip meals, eat things on the run and crave foods that aren’t the best to eat, causing IBS. Menstruation can also trigger IBS-type symptoms.
Top tips for tackling IBS symptoms:
- Cut down on alcohol and nicotine
- Make sure you are drinking enough water or calming herbal infusions
- Eat small, well-balanced, nourishing meals three times a day.
- Don’t eat on the run
- Increase the level of prebiotics and probiotics (healthy gut bacteria) in your diet. Good sources include live natural or Greek-style yoghurt.
If you are pressed for time and are on the go, why not try a Nourish by Jane Clarke, nutritionally complete drink? Made from the finest, organic and natural ingredients, each 330ml, fully recyclable carton contains the perfect blend of calories, protein and essential vitamins and minerals in four delicious flavours.
#2 Constipation
A lack of water or fibre in our diet can cause constipation. And as we get older our gut becomes typically more sluggish, even when our diet apparently stays the same.
We have some ideas as to why this happens – it may be that we are generally less active (exercise can have quite a big impact on how regular our gut is), but constipation can also be caused by medication, such as codeine, or by our gut ‘holding’ upset and tension inside.
Sometimes the less we’re able to go to the toilet the more uptight we get and the more tense our gut becomes, so that the harder it is to go.
constipation can also be caused by medication, such as codeine
Reducing anxiety around our bowel habits by eating good-for-the-gut foods, drinking plenty of water, exercising and even stress-reducing activities such as meditation, can all help.
Some herbal teas are also renowned for ‘getting the gut moving’ – look for those made from tamarind, dandelion, or yellow dock.
Or make your own infusions by steeping fresh root ginger or three to six senna pods (from health food stores) in 150ml hot water. Alternatively, you could try senna tablets from health food stores and pharmacies.
#3 Diverticular disease
Constipation can increase the risk of developing diverticular disease, which affects around half of people aged 65 and above.
Diverticular disease happens when the muscular walls of the intestine weaken, forming pockets or sacs (diverticula).
Many people remain without symptoms, but around 25 per cent may experience severe abdominal pain, intermittent diarrhoea and constipation.
Diverticula often develops because our diet is relatively deficient in fibre-rich foods, which help to prevent constipation – it’s the straining involved in passing a stool that weakens the intestinal walls, causing diverticula to form.
Diverticular disease happens when the muscular walls of the intestine weaken
Sometimes diverticula can become infected and cause rectal bleeding, pain and fever; if untreated this can prove to be serious.
If you’re diagnosed with an infection, the advice completely changes – the last thing you need is roughage, as it’s too much for a sore, infected intestine to deal with. You need a low-fibre diet.
Once the infection has been treated successfully, take steps to improve your gut bacteria by taking a combined prebiotic and probiotic supplement. Then start gently building up your fibre intake, so that your gut returns to a non-constipated state.
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