On Air Archive

Our thanks to the charity Core for the information below.

All of us experience changes in digestion and bowel habits from time to time, and for the most part this is normal and is no cause for concern.  Temporary bouts of common bowel problems such as constipation or diarrhoea can be effectively treated by a number of treatments available from your pharmacist

However, any sudden change in regularity, persistent diarrhoea, pain or passing blood in the stools should be reported to the doctor. Any attack of diarrhoea in children under the age of one should be reported to the doctor promptly, and plenty of liquids should be given immediately before the doctor arrives. Water should be given with an electrolyte mixture available over the counter at most chemist shops.

Here are some of the things that we can all do to help look after our insides.  Eating well: It is never too early or late in life to learn good eating habits and to follow a well balanced diet.  Small meals taken regularly are better for you than long periods without food, followed by a heavy meal.  Large rich meals late at night should be avoided if at all possible, especially for older people. A mid-day cooked meal is more easily digested.  Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids - at least one and a half litres a day and more if the weather is hot - especially if you become ill with an infection.

Improving Your Diet: For most people, healthier eating is simply a matter of adjusting the balance of what we already eat. Increasing our intake of fibre and reducing the amount of fatty, sugary foods we eat, helps better digestive function, as well as helping to keep weight down and improve general health.  Eat more fibre in the form of plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread. In addition, add two tablespoons of course bran (which can be bought from a health food shop or chemist) to your breakfast cereal. This provides the bulk that your insides need for good digestion.

Cut down on fat. Eat more lean meat and fish, drink skimmed or semi-skimmed milk and grill rather than fry foods. When possible use sunflower, soya or corn oil for cooking and choose polyunsaturated margarines instead of butter.

Avoiding 'tummy bugs': Poor hygiene can lead to food poisoning and gastro-enteritis (an infection in the bowel) Remember always wash your hands after visiting the toilet and before handling food.

Food Care: Bacteria can flourish on the surface of chilled or frozen food which are allowed to warm up in the hot boot of a car on the way home from the shops, or in an inefficient or over loaded refrigerator.  Food, especially meat, that is not frozen should be kept well covered and well refrigerated (ideally at around 4 degrees centigrade) and not stored beyond the "sell by" date.  Always ensure that when food is reheated it is heated thoroughly to kill any bacteria. This is particularly important when using a microwave oven.

Food Problems: Some people are allergic to certain foods Others may have what is called a food intolerance and find that their insides react to particular foods (wheat or dairy products, certain meats, vegetables, eggs or chocolate for example) causing abdominal pain, diarrhoea or vomiting. If this problem is persistent, it may be due to some underlying disease, and your doctor should be consulted. Once the problem is identified, it may be possible to avoid the offending foods and limit its recurrence.

Adopting a sensible lifestyle: Keeping our insides in good working order means treating them well. The stomach, bowels, and liver can all be affected by smoking and drinking, lack of physical activity and a stressful lifestyle. Drinking in moderation Alcohol can cause and aggravate a number of digestive disorders particularly affecting the stomach, liver and pancreas. However, most of these damaging effects can be avoided by keeping drinking down to moderate levels.

Keep Active: Regular exercise can help to maintain good digestive health. As long as the exercise taken does not exceed your physical limits, it certainly cannot do any harm.