This week i've been to a digestive health talk - by Dr huang

Our digestive tract is one of the largest of all our body systems, it extends approximately 30 feet long from mouth to anus!

When we eat food such as rice, bread, meat and vegetables, they are not in a form that the body can use as nourishment. Our food and drinks must be changed into smaller molecules of nutrients before they can be absorbed into the blood and carried to cells throughout the body. Digestion is the process by which food and drinks are broken down into smaller parts so that the body can use them to build and nourish cells as well as to provide energy.

The digestive system plays an important role in keeping us healthy. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that we maintain a healthy digestive health.


In Singapore Statistics:

1) About 80% of people suffer from constipation at some time during their lives...
2) The average Singaporean diet is below the recommended 25 to 20 grams of fibre...

So what cause poor digestive health?
-Low dietary fibre intake (stools are not bulky enough to stimulate bowel moevement)
-Inadequate fluid (causing the stools to be dry and hard)
-A lack of physical activity and exercise (causing weak intertinal activity)
-Side-effect of some medications (including some painkillers and iron tablets)
-Hormonal
-Metabolic problems
-Change in diet
-Environmental changes
-Pregnancy
-Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement (due to work or social activity)

Consequence of a poor digestive system:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A common functional gastrointestinal disorder interferes with the normal functions of the large intestine (colon). Symptoms are associated with the colon and including bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea.

Constipation
A condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual which consists of hard dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass.

Constipation may be due to combination of several factors, for example, not getting enough fluids (especially water), or from a diet that does not include an adequate amount of fiber-rich food.


Indigestion
A feeling of fullness during a meal, uncomfortable fullness after a meal, or pain in the upper abdomen. Indigestion is common in adults which occurs once in a while of as often as everyday.


Diverticulitis
A common digestive diease particularly found in the large intestine. The most common symptom of diverticulitis is abdominal pain. If infection is the cause, symtoms such as nausea, vomiting, feeling hot while having no fever, cramping, and constipation may occur as well.

Colon cancer
The cancer of the large intestine (colon) and rectal cencer is cancer of the last 6 inches of the colon which are often referred to as colorectal cancers. Colorecatal of colon cancer is the most common form of cancer occurring in adults in Singapore. It is the 3rd most deadly cancer in the world. Some symptoms of the colorectal cancer are: blood in the stools and change in bowel habits, abdominal pain and a anaemia which is in the form of a lump in the abdomen.

Others:
cardiovascular diseases e.g. coronary heart disease and Diabetes

So you've seen the causes and consequences of a poor digestive system. You need to know th Importance of having a healthy digestive system

The condition of a person's digestive system can significantly affect their overall health as our digestive systems play a primary role in keeping us healthy. When problems occur, it can have a major negative impact on how we feel and how our body reacts.

One such major problem is when the body might not be able to absorb enough nutrients from food, which may cause the person to suffer from a number of different problems. If such are left untreated, it may escalate into more serious conditions. Hence, it is important dor us to maintain good dogestive health for a better well-being.

HOW to have a good digestive system??

. More dietary fibre intake (25g to 30g)
. Adequate fluid intake (recommended 8 cups of water daily/ 2Litres of water)
. Sufficient leisure time
. Regular exercise
. Eat less red meat
. Eat a healthy and well balanced diet
. Eat more vegetables and fruits daily (2 serves x 2 portions daily)
. Reducing alcohol intake
. Quit smoking
. Achieve and maintain body weight within the normal range