Understanding Your Treatment Plan
Your doctor will determine the cause of your digestive problems and suggest a treatment plan. It may be necessary to take medicine, avoid certain foods, or adopt new habits. It may take some time for you to fully process what has been said. Put all of your notes and any reference material or instructions from your doctor in a notepad or file folder. Review the material regularly and write down any questions that you may have for your doctor.
Understand Digestive Issues
Each person is different, but there are many factors that can cause digestive issues. Try to identify your own triggers by asking yourself the following questions: What foods, drinks and eating habits seem irritate your digestion system? Coffee, dairy products, and carbonated drinks, for example, can cause diarrhea.
What prescription and over-the counter drugs are aggravating your digestive problems? What drugs help? Talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects from medications.
Are there certain settings or events that seem to trigger your digestive issues? When you travel, do you get erratic? Are menstruation hormones affecting your digestion? Plan ahead so that you can anticipate, prevent or at least be prepared for any such challenges if you detect the connection.
To help you make these connections, keep a routine log. Include what you eat, drink, take in, as well as the supplements and medications you use. You may eventually discover a link between these factors and digestive problems.
A Balanced Diet Maintains Proper Digestion
A healthy diet can prevent digestive problems or help your body when it is experiencing difficulties. Listen to what your doctor says about what you should eat and avoid. Be aware of your eating habits.
Drink Wine But Be Cautious While Doing So
For a healthy lifestyle and regular bowel movements, water is essential. Water also helps to maintain soft, yet firm and well-formed stool. Avoid certain drinks like soda or coffee if you think they will worsen your digestive problems.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration when diarrhea occurs. Water and sports drinks are the best options to replenish electrolytes, or lost nutrients. Dehydration is exacerbated by alcohol and caffeine.
Drink more water when it’s hot and whenever you are doing strenuous activities. Drinking water can help you avoid dehydration. This is a potentially fatal imbalance where your body loses more than it takes in.
To prevent diarrhea, avoid drinking water that could be contaminated and anything else that has come into contact with water. While driving, you should drink sports drinks, bottled juice or water. Remember that contaminated water can be used to produce ice, popsicles and wash fruit and vegetables. It can also be used to brew or make coffee, tea and brew.
Hygiene Is Important For A Better Digestion
Wash your hands immediately after using the toilet with soap and hot water. Then, prepare or eat food. This reduces the risk of harmful microorganisms contaminating your food.
If diarrhea makes you itchy or uncomfortable, try using pre-moistened alcohol-free towels instead of harsh soap. To keep your skin dry, wear cotton underwear or loose-fitting clothing.
Be Prepared for Gastrointestinal Emergencies
Accidents can happen despite your best efforts. Always keep emergency supplies at hand, whether at home, work, school or while travelling. Many items are available in discrete packaging that can be transported. Here are some products to try.
- Rapid-acting medications
- Pre-moistened Travel Wipes
- Second set of underwear
- Incontinence pads or underwear for incontinence
- Plastic bags for the disposal of dirty clothes and wipes
Relax after putting these items in your car, desk, pocketbook, suitcase and purse. Consult your physician if you experience a recurrence of accidents or fecal leakage.
Relieve Stress To Ensure Digestive Calmness
Relaxing activities such as yoga, meditation or your favorite hobby can help reduce stress.
You can adapt your stress-reduction methods to fit your personal circumstances by being practical and flexible. You may feel uncomfortable if you attend a yoga class on a bad day for your digestion. If this is the case, you can exercise at home in front of a DVD.
Stress is inevitable. You can learn to cope with difficult situations and relationships by asking a friend or therapist.
Get Help For Digestive Issues
Avoid trying to hide your stomach problems from family, friends and caregivers. Help them understand your digestive problems, including when, how and why they occur. Let them know how they can support you, both emotionally and practically. Inform them of your self-care plan. Inform them that they may experience problems such as diarrhea or gas without warning.
Sometimes, it can be beneficial to connect with others who have the same digestive problems. You can feel less isolated by joining a support group. Ask your doctor or local hospital about groups that may be right for you.
Take Full Responsibility Of Digestional Issues
Give your doctor detailed feedback and ask questions about your condition and treatment plan. Speak up if you feel the medication prescribed by your doctor is not effective or has unpleasant side effects. It’s possible that you should try a different drug. Before trying over-the counter medicines or supplements, ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are any side effects or drug interactions. Record your questions and experiences so that you can discuss them with your doctor.
Avoid miracle treatments for digestive issues
Alternative digestive therapies such as colon cleansing and fasting are heavily promoted in some articles and advertisements. Alternative therapies are promising, but they can be prohibitively expensive or ineffective. Always consult your doctor before attempting an alternative therapy or supplement.
