Digestive issues can be uncomfortable and even debilitating. Whether it’s bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or gas, these symptoms can make it difficult to enjoy life. But what triggers digestive issues? In this blog post, we’ll explore some common culprits and provide tips on how to address them. If you’re struggling with digestive issues, keep reading.
Poor Diet: One of the most common triggers of digestive issues is a poor diet. Eating too much processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can wreak havoc on your gut microbiome. This can lead to inflammation and an imbalance of healthy bacteria in your intestines. To address this issue, start by incorporating more whole foods into your diet such as fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources like chicken or fish alongside healthy fats such as avocado or nuts.
Food Intolerances: Food intolerances occur when your body cannot properly digest certain foods like lactose-containing dairy products or gluten-containing grains such as wheat or barley. This can cause symptoms similar to those experienced with food allergies such as bloating and diarrhea among others. If you suspect a food intolerance might be causing your digestive issues then it is advisable to speak to a registered dietitian who will help you identify the offending trigger food/s so that they can be avoided.
Stress: Your mental wellbeing plays a significant role in your physical health including digestion – stress being one of its main triggers for gastrointestinal distress. When we experience high levels of stress our bodies produce cortisol hormone which affects our gut health by altering the composition of the intestinal microflora leading to symptoms like cramping or stomach pain among others along with other associated mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
Lack of Exercise: Exercise helps stimulate the muscles in our digestive tract which aids in efficient digestion while also reducing constipation. Lack of physical activity, on the other hand, can lead to sluggish digestion and constipation among other health concerns. It is recommended that you engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity such as brisk walking or cycling daily.
Medications: Lastly, certain medications like antibiotics, painkillers, and antidepressants can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea by disrupting the balance of good bacteria in your gut. If you’re experiencing digestive issues after starting a new medication then it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about possible alternatives or solutions.
In summary, several factors can trigger digestive issues including poor diet, food intolerances, stress, lack of exercise and medications – just to name a few. Addressing these triggers through changes in lifestyle habits alongside getting professional help from dietitians or naturopaths may significantly improve symptoms experienced. By being mindful of what we eat and how we live our lives we can take steps towards better digestive health and overall wellbeing.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Bhavin Mistry, BASc, MAN, RD or another Kitchener registered dietitian at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
