Your digestive system plays a crucial role in your body’s overall function. Whenever you eat or drink, the organs of the digestive system break down what you consume and convert it into fuel for energy, development, and ultimately support your body’s repair processes.
Unfortunately, digestive issues are common and can be presented in many forms. Discomfort, bloating, and gas are three common symptoms that often accompany digestive concerns.
Understanding the possible signs of digestive issues can put you on the road towards better gastrointestinal health. These reasons include:
Stress
Your gut and brain are closely linked. As a result, stress can play a major role in digestive problems. Stress can trigger your body’s fight-or-flight response, which triggers higher blood pressure, a faster heart rate, and increased muscle tension. Additionally, your fight-or-flight response may impact your digestive system, causing symptoms such as:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Indigestion
Stress may also worsen pre-existing GI disorders, including GERD, IBD, and IBS. If stress becomes chronic and/ or severe, it may reduce the circulation to your stomach, causing increased inflammation and a bacterial imbalance in your gut.
Dietary Factors
As you may have guessed, your diet is a significant factor in the health of your digestive system. For example, a low-fiber and/ or high-dairy diet can compromise your digestive health.
Fiber is crucial to your body’s digestive function as it serves as the fuel for your colon and promotes regular, easy-to-pass bowel movements. Too little (or too much) fiber can often lead to digestive issues.
Eating an excess amount of dairy products can also lead to digestive problems, even for individuals who aren’t considered lactose intolerant. This is because the body does not have the capacity to process a high volume of dairy products at one time.
A Lack of Exercise
People who lead a sedentary lifestyle may experience digestive discomfort because exercise increases intestinal activity and kicks the gut into gear. Regular exercise may prevent digestive issues and help relieve stress, further benefiting your overall health.
Colon hydrotherapy from Body Flow Wellness can help alleviate your digestive issues and detoxify the digestive system. To learn more, contact us today!