digestive health – Hello Doctor

IBS – foods to avoid

January 3rd, 2020 by The Hello Doctor Team

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects the digestive system, and which causes abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhoea and bloating.

The direct cause of IBS is unknown and symptoms can range from mild to severe and include: abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches, burping and passing wind more frequently, and backache.

Although doctors don’t know exactly what causes IBS, one of the contributing factors is diet, and there are certain foods which can make your symptoms worse.

Common problem foods include:

Dairy products

If you’re lactose intolerant then it’s best to avoid all forms of dairy. This is because your body likely lacks lactase enzymes which break down lactose – the sugar found in dairy products. Typical symptoms of lactose intolerance include: abdominal pain, diarrhoea and flatulence (gas).

High-fibre foods

Although high-fibre foods are recommended for a healthy and balanced diet, if you suffer from IBS you’ll probably find that too much fibre results in diarrhoea, flatulence and abdominal pain. For this reason, you should limit the amount of fibre you eat each day.

High-fat foods

Fatty and fried foods are bad news for everyone, but if you have IBS then they can irritate the digestive system even more.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant and a mild diuretic, commonly found in coffee, chocolate and energy drinks, and it can irritate the intestines causing cramping and diarrhoea.

Alcohol

Alcohol affects the lining of the gastrointestinal tract of the digestive system. For people with IBS, alcohol acts as an irritant in the GI tract, often causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. In severe cases it can also cause bleeding.

If you suffer from IBS, it’s important to find out what “triggers” your symptoms, as it differs from person to person. If you’re diagnosed with IBS, you’ll likely be put on an “elimination diet”. For this, you’ll need to consume certain “trigger” foods, and make a note of when you ate them and if you had any symptoms afterwards. Although an elimination diet can be very beneficial at finding out what’s causing your symptoms, it’s important to speak to your doctor first before you start this type of diet.

How to get a grip on heartburn

May 22nd, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

The ageing process has its positives and negatives: on one side, you know so much more than you knew a decade ago worry less about other’s opinions. On the other side, you have to deal with more health-related challenges, with heartburn as one of the most common complaints.

Continue reading “How to get a grip on heartburn”

Worms!!

April 21st, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Yes, yuck! But worms – especially pinworms – are really common, especially in young children. So here’s what you need to know about getting rid of them. Continue reading “Worms!!”

What are piles?

January 3rd, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Haemorrhoids, or piles, are rarely dangerous or life-threatening, but they can be a pain in the butt! They can bleed, itch and even protrude … and they are quite common. Continue reading “What are piles?”

Can I take any probiotic?

December 26th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Probiotics and gut-health are hot health topics, but what do probiotics do for you, and are they all the same? Continue reading “Can I take any probiotic?”

Beat constipation!

November 13th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

It’s not the kind of thing you want to tweet about on social media, but constipation is a real battle for all kinds of people! Let’s find out how you can free yourself from this struggle. Continue reading “Beat constipation!”

The brain and gut connection

August 19th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Have you ever been so depressed or anxious, that you lost your appetite? What is the reason for this? Surely, your body doesn’t need less food than usual when you feel depressed – so why does your mood influence your appetite? Continue reading “The brain and gut connection”

A sore throat – simple or serious?

May 8th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’ve probably used it as the reason for being absent from school or university on Monday morning, haven’t you? Continue reading “A sore throat – simple or serious?”

Why do I have stomach pain?

March 23rd, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Not again! Where is this pain in my stomach coming from? Do stomach cramps hit you when you least expect them? There are some obvious causes for stomach cramps, like the tummy bug or food poisoning, but what about unexpected causes? Here are 5 reasons that might be behind your mysterious pain. Continue reading “Why do I have stomach pain?”

Could you be suffering from an ulcer?

February 28th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

How easy is it to get an ulcer? Do they just affect older people?

The answers are ‘easier than you think’, and ‘no’. Let’s look at the details: Continue reading “Could you be suffering from an ulcer?”

Cholera – What You Need to Know

November 10th, 2014 by The Hello Doctor Team

There’s nothing better (and healthier) than a few gulps of water when you’re feeling thirsty, right? This may be true in countries where modern sewage and water treatments are available, but there are some places where a sip of water may be fatal because of a disease known as cholera. Continue reading “Cholera – What You Need to Know”

5 Ways to beat bloating

August 21st, 2014 by The Hello Doctor Team

Do you constantly feel bloated and uncomfortable? It’s often the result of what you’re eating and drinking. We take a look at the most common culprits:

Fizzy drinks and chewing gum
The bubbles in carbonated drinks (including sparkling water and beer) can cause gas to get trapped in your stomach. Cut down on fizzy drinks, and if you find plain water boring, flavour it with fresh lemon, lime or cucumber. As for chewing gum, it can also cause bloating. This is because when you chew gum you swallow air at the same time.

You’re not eating enough fibre
Getting too little fibre, fluids, and exercise can lead to constipation which may result in bloating. To avoid this, eat at least 30 grams of fibre per day. Get this from eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, 5 times a week. If you’re eating a low-fibre diet, increase your fibre intake slowly and drink lots of fluids for better tolerance.

Continue reading “5 Ways to beat bloating”