DR Laura -gut specialist (2025)

13/06/2022

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS OF DIARRHEA
Diarrhea is a common problem that can come on suddenly or be a chronic complaint. Some possible causes of diarrhea include food poisoning, infections, food allergies or intolerances, and medication. There are also some conditions that cause chronic diarrhea that run in families or, rarely, have a genetic basis.
You can reduce your risk of acute diarrhea by learning good food safety and cleanliness habits, whether at home or while traveling.
Common Causes of Acute Diarrhea
The most common cause of diarrhea, especially that which starts suddenly (acute diarrhea), is an infection. This can be bacterial, viral, or parasitic and include:
Food poisoning
Traveler's diarrhea
Stomach flu
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning occurs when you eat food that is contaminated with bacteria. The bacteria build up toxins in the food that make you sick.
Causes of food poisoning are poor sanitation, improper food handling, and food being stored at the wrong temperature.
How long diarrhea lasts: Usually less than two days
Triggered by: Toxins in food
When symptoms appear: Within two to six hours of ingesting the food
Appearance: Explosive, watery
Other symptoms: Abdominal cramps, fever, vomiting, weakness
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Traveler’s diarrhea is caused by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with bacteria or parasites. If you have diarrhea and recently traveled or drank untreated water from a stream, river, or pond (in the U.S. or elsewhere), call your doctor.
How long diarrhea lasts: Usually less than one week
Triggered by: Food or water that is contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or parasites
When symptoms appear: Within 12 to 24 hours
Appearance: Explosive, watery, sometimes contains mucus or blood
Other symptoms: Possible vomiting and/or fever
Stomach Flu
Stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is caused by a virus, but not the same that causes seasonal flu (influenza). Examples of viruses that can cause stomach flu are rotavirus and norovirus. Gastroenteritis also can be caused by a bacterium or a parasite.
How long diarrhea lasts: Usually three to eight days
Triggered by: A virus, bacterium, or parasite
When symptoms appear: Within two days of exposure
Appearance: Watery
Other symptoms: Vomiting, fever, achiness
Common Causes of Chronic Diarrhea
Diarrhea that goes on for weeks or months may be caused by an infection, or it may be caused by an underlying medical condition or one of many other potential causes, some of which include the following:
Celiac Disease
If you have untreated celiac disease, you may have a hard time linking your symptoms with a specific food because your gut is damaged and you may experience symptoms all the time.
How long diarrhea lasts: More than four weeks
Triggered by: Gluten
Appearance: Large, bad-smelling stools that float and may appear greasy
Other symptoms: Unintended weight loss, lack of energy, lack of growth in children, as well as many other possible symptoms
Food Allergy
Symptoms of classic Ig-E mediated food allergy begin within minutes to hours of eating a trigger food. It is possible to be allergic to any food, but a few foods cause the most common food allergies.
How long diarrhea lasts: Usually less than 24 hours
Triggered by: A specific food
When symptoms appear: Within two hours
Appearance: Watery, may contain blood
Other symptoms: Hives; vomiting; swelling of face, tongue or throat; eczema
Food Intolerance
Food intolerance is caused by a lack of the enzymes needed to digest a specific food. Lactose intolerance, the inability to digest the sugars in milk, is the most common, but it's possible to be intolerant of other foods as well.
How long diarrhea lasts: More than four weeks
Triggered by: A specific food
When symptoms appear: Two to 12 hours
Appearance: Watery, sometimes contains mucous
Other symptoms: Gassiness, abdominal cramps or pain
Infants usually show signs of protein intolerance within a few months of birth. Some infants may react to food proteins present in breastmilk while others may react to formulas based on either cow’s milk or soy.
How long diarrhea lasts: More than two weeks
Triggered by: Dairy or soy products, sometimes by egg or other proteins
When symptoms appear: Two hours or more
Appearance: Streaks of mucous or blood
Other symptoms: Distended belly, crying, failure to thrive
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which have chronic diarrhea as a symptom. Both are incurable chronic diseases of the digestive tract that may be treated with surgery or managed with medication.
How long diarrhea lasts: More than four weeks
Triggered by: Not related to a specific food
Appearance: Blood or mucous in stool
Other symptoms: Abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, delayed growth in children
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) describes chronic diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain that does not have a known disease as a cause.
How long diarrhea lasts: At least six months
Triggered by: Not related to a specific food, though certain foods may aggravate symptoms
Appearance: Small, frequent stools
Other symptoms: Chronic abdominal bloating or distention; constipation; pain relieved by bowel movement
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends that anyone diagnosed with IBS and diarrhea be tested for celiac disease.
Medication
Some medications, in particular antibiotics and chemotherapy, can cause diarrhea, as well as laxatives containing magnesium. You may have a reaction to the medication itself or an additive, such as a flavoring.
A medication may also alter the balance of bacteria in your gut, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea. Sometimes the cause of diarrhea is taking too many laxatives or longer-term abuse of laxatives.
Talk to your doctor if you have diarrhea after starting a new medication.
Genetics
There are congenital diarrheal disorders linked to specific genes. These disorders usually come on in the first few months of a child's life. They are often most common in certain populations, although congenital chloride diarrhea is one that appears worldwide.
Some other conditions that may cause chronic diarrhea also tend to run in families, including celiac disease, some forms of lactose intolerance, and food allergies.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
A change to your diet, such as going on a mostly liquid diet, eating too much fiber, or eating spicy foods may lead to diarrhea.
Beyond examining and, perhaps, adjusting what you eat and rink, other habits and exposures can put you at greater risk for diarrhea:
Personal Hygiene
The bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause traveler's diarrhea and stomach flu are spread by contact with contaminated surfaces, food, and water. In the medical world, this is called the fecal-oral route. To reduce your risks, wash your hands well after using the bathroom, changing your child's diapers, and before eating.If you don't have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
Never drink untreated water from a natural source, such as a stream. Even in developed countries, they can be contaminated with diarrhea-causing parasites spread by wildlife, such as Giardia.
When traveling to areas that have a higher risk of contaminated water and food, drink only bottled water and don't use ice unless it is from bottled or purified water. Avoid uncooked vegetables and fruits (unless they can be peeled), raw shellfish, undercooked meat, and dairy products.
Improper Food Handling
Since food poisoning is often caused by improper food handling, it's wise to follow these tips outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Clean: Keep your kitchen clean; wash utensils and cutting boards with hot, soapy water.
Separate: Raw meat, seafood, poultry, and eggs should be kept separate from other food. Use a separate cutting board for these items.
Cook: Use a food thermometer to ensure meat is cooked to an internal temperature that will kill the bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Chill: Be sure your refrigerator is kept below 40 degrees. Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave, not out on the counter.

13/06/2022

WHY DO WE GET DIARRHEA?
The Causes and Why Our Bodies React the Way They Do
Diarrhea. We all get it from time to time, but no one wants to talk about it. It's embarrassing, uncomfortable, and gross. But have you ever thought about why we get it? Sometimes it's due to the foods we eat, sometimes it's caused by a virus or bacteria and other times it could be caused by a disease that affects the digestive system itself. Here, we'll talk about some of the most common causes of diarrhea and what exactly happens to our bodies when we get it.
Viruses
Some of the most common causes of diarrhea are viral infections. Norovirus, rotavirus, and hepatitis A are all viruses that frequently cause diarrhea. Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in children in the world. However, the introduction of a vaccine to prevent it in the US has dramatically reduced the number of cases in the country in recent years.
Bacteria
Diarrhea can be caused by several types of bacteria. Some of the most common causes of food contamination or "food poisoning" are bacterial. E. coli, salmonella, and listeria are all frequent culprits and cause for recalls when they are found in our food supply.
Although these bacteria cause diarrhea (and occasionally vomiting), most people who get them recover without treatment. In some severe cases, people with these infections may need to be treated with antibiotics or hospitalized.
Digestive System Diseases and Disorders
Some people get diarrhea due to diseases and disorders of the digestive system. Some examples include:
Irritable bowel syndrome
Celiac disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
Food intolerances or sensitivities — such as lactose intolerance
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
Microscopic colitis
Chronic pancreatitis
Bile acid diarrhea
Carcinoid tumors
The exact reason for diarrhea varies if you have one of these disorders or diseases. Treatment will depend on the cause as well. If you are concerned your diarrhea might be caused by one of these diseases or disorders, talk to your healthcare provider.
Other Causes
Diarrhea can be caused by parasites such giardia as well. This parasite gets into the digestive tract and affects the absorption of fluids, resulting in frequent watery stools.
Another frequent cause of diarrhea is as a side effect of medications — especially antibiotics.3 If you take an antibiotic and it causes diarrhea, talk to your healthcare provider to determine whether or not it is something you should be concerned about.
Traveler's diarrhea occurs when people travel to other countries around the world and eat their food or drink their water because it is more likely to be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites.
This is not a concern when traveling to most developed countries but is a frequent problem for people that visit most countries in Asia (other than Japan), Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.5 If you will be traveling to one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider about taking medications with you to treat infections should they occur.
When you have diarrhea caused by a germ—whether it's a bacteria, virus or parasite, the normal function of your body's GI system is disrupted. The stool is what is left over after your body has digested all of the fluid and nutrients it needs from the food you eat. When you get an infection that disrupts that function, your GI systems doesn't absorb nutrients and fluids adequately and it passes through your body more quickly than it should, leading to frequent, watery bowel movements.

13/06/2022

Paano Maitatabi ang Iyong Mga Holiday na Natitira at Iwasan ang Pagkasakit sa Pagkain?
Maimbak nang maayos ang mga natira
Bago ka magsimulang mag-alala tungkol sa kung gaano katagal ang ilang mga pagkain ay maaaring manatili sa iyong ref nang ligtas, kailangan mong tiyakin na ang mga ito ay nakaimbak nang maayos.
Bago itago ang iyong mga natirang siguraduhin na:
Hugasan ang iyong mga kamay bago mo hawakan ang pagkain.
Huwag iwanan ang pagkain na hindi pinalamig nang higit sa dalawang oras bago itago.
Hatiin ang iyong pagkain sa mas maliit na mga bahagi upang maiwasan ang potensyal ng isang pagbuo ng bakterya at upang payagan ang mas malamig na paglamig.
Hiwain ang iyong ham o pabo bago itago sa ref upang payagan ang higit pang paglamig.
Tiyaking hindi masyadong mainit ang pagkain bago itago upang maiwasan ang labis na paggawa ng kahalumigmigan, na maaaring kumilos bilang isang lugar ng pag-aanak para sa bakterya.
Habang itinatago ang iyong mga natitirang:
Gumamit ng mahigpit na naka-air at tumutulo na mga item sa imbakan ng patunay. Mas gusto ang mga lalagyan ng imbakan ng baso, ngunit kung ginagamit ang plastik, tiyaking buo ang lalagyan.
Iwasan ang sobrang pag-empake ng ref. Ang pagkakaroon ng labis na pagkain sa ref ay maaaring maiwasan ang makina na mapanatili ang isang naaangkop na temperatura.
Iwasang takpan ang isang kalahating walang laman na ulam na ihahatid upang ilagay sa ref. Sa halip, ilipat ang pagkain sa isang maliit na lalagyan ng imbakan at takpan nang maayos.
Labanan ang tukso na tikman ang iyong mga natitira habang inililipat mo ang mga ito. Kung gagamit ka ng parehong kutsara upang tikman at ilipat, ang iyong mga mikrobyo ay ihahalo sa pagkain at mahawahan sila.
Kailan mo Kailangang Kumain ng Iyong Natira?
Hindi mo maaaring panatilihin ang nibbling sa mga natitirang patatas at casseroles sa loob ng maraming linggo pagkatapos na luto at maihain na. Sa pangkalahatan, ang mga natirang labi ay kailangang tangkilikin sa loob ng apat na araw na paghahanda. Siyempre, kung ang iyong karne ay mukhang malabnaw o amag ang iyong gulay, gamitin ang iyong pinakamahusay na paghuhusga at itapon muna ito.
Palaging may mga tatanggap sa panuntunan, Halimbawa, ang fruitcake na natanggap mo mula sa iyong dakilang tiyahin sa koreo ay tatagal sa iyo ng anim na buwan bago mo itapon ito-at mas mahaba pa kung idikit mo ito sa freezer. At anumang bagay na hilaw o undercooked kapag naihatid ay magkakaroon ng isang mas maikling buhay na istante kaysa sa tatlo hanggang apat na araw.
Pamantayan? Kapag nag-aalinlangan, itapon ito. At laging i-reheat ang iyong pagkain kung posible upang patayin ang anumang mga potensyal na pathogens na maaaring nagsimulang lumaki.
Maaari Mo Bang I-freeze ang Iyong mga Natira?
Karamihan sa iyong mga paboritong pagkain sa holiday ay maaaring ma-freeze at masisiyahan sa mga darating na buwan. Kapag nagyeyelo ng iyong pagkain, nais mong tiyakin na umabot ito sa temperatura na 0 ° F o mas mababa, dahil iyon ang temperatura na pumipigil sa labis na paglago ng bakterya.
Ang pagkain ay dapat na itago sa mga lalagyan ng airtight o mga freezer bag, na may label na item ng pagkain at petsa ng pagyeyelo, at mailagay hanggang sa freezer hangga't maaari. Kung ang pagkain ay mainit, palamig ito sa ref bago ilagay ito sa freezer. At planuhin ang pagtamasa ng iyong mga pagkain sa loob ng dalawa hanggang tatlong buwan ng pagyeyelo. Bagaman maraming mga pagkain ay mananatiling ligtas na kainin nang lampas sa tagal ng panahon na iyon, ang lasa at kalidad ay madalas na masakripisyo habang nagmamartsa ang oras.
Kailangan Mo Bang Matunaw ang Iyong Frozen na Natira Bago Nag-init?
Kapag handa ka nang masiyahan sa iyong mga natirang tira, maaari kang magtaka kung ano ang dapat mong gawin sa bloke ng pagkain-yelo. Sa kabutihang palad, walang dahilan kung bakit kailangan mong matunaw ang iyong pre-lutong frozen na pagkain bago muling mag-rehearse. Ipainit mo man muli ang iyong pagkain sa microwave, sa isang kasirola, o sa oven, mainam na dumaan sa proseso sa frozen na pagkain. Siguraduhin lamang na ang pagkain ay pinainit sa isang minimum na 165 ° F.
Ang mga tira ay isa sa mga pinakamahusay na bagay na lumabas sa kapaskuhan. Ngunit ang pagharap sa isang sitwasyon sa pagkalason sa pagkain ay maaaring maglagay ng isang pamamasa sa iyong pagdiriwang. Ang paggawa ng ilang mga simpleng hakbang upang maiwasan ang sakit na dala ng pagkain ay maaaring makagawa ng malaking pagkakaiba.

13/06/2022

FOOD POISONING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Here's what you might be feeling if you've eaten something that's tainted:
Abdominal cramps
Diarrhea
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Weakness
Abdomen is tender to touch
Dehydration
Do I Need to Go to the Hospital?
It's a good idea to see a doctor if you have these symptoms, but many people just stay home and wait it out. Infants and young children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with weakened immune systems need medical attention for food poisoning. Anyone else should seek care if the food poisoning signs don't improve in a day or two.
It's also a good idea to see a doctor so your illness can be reported to local public health departments that keep track of foodborne illnesses. If you were contaminated by foods sold by local restaurants or grocery stores, state health departments and the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control can issue warnings and recalls on contaminated foods.
Prevention
The best way to prevent foodborne illness is to avoid contaminated foods, which isn't always easy -- especially when you eat in a restaurant. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of foodborne illness at home.
Wash your hands before cooking, before serving and before eating meals.
Keep raw meat, eggs, and poultry away from any other foods that are ready to be served.
Use clean knives, utensils and cutting boards, and don't cross-contaminate raw meats and poultry with fruits and vegetables.
Wash fresh fruits, vegetables, and bagged greens.
Keep perishable foods at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
Beef, veal, and lamb should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
Pork and ground beef, veal and lamb should be cooked to 160 degrees.
Poultry needs to be cooked to 165 degrees.
Leftovers should be heated to 165 degrees before it's served.
After they're heated, hot foods should be kept at 140 degrees or above.
The number of cases of food poisoning goes up during the summer months when the bacteria grow faster in the warmer temperatures. Since summer is a great time for picnics and barbecues, be sure to follow food safety rules for transporting and storing foods outdoors.
When Food Poisoning Is Really Due to Poison
Food poisoning is usually caused by bacteria, but ingesting poisonous foods -- such as certain mushrooms or shellfish, or eating seafood harvested from contaminated water -- can cause similar symptoms.
These forms of food poisoning are an emergency, and you need treatment immediately.

13/06/2022

How to Reduce Your Risk of Infectious Diseases
10 Simple Tips Everyone Should Practice
- Wash Your Hands
- Avoid Sharing Items
- Cover Your Mouth
- Get Vaccinated
- Wear a Face Mask
- Practice Food Safety
- Travel Safe
- Practice Safe S*x
- Avoid Animal Diseases
- Take Care in Hospitals

11/06/2022

FOODS FOR A POST-DIARHEA DIET
While the BRAT diet—consisting of banana, rice, applesauce, and toast—has long been considered an effective home remedy for diarrhea, recent research suggests that it may not be appropriate for all people, especially children.
Moreover, limiting a diet to these four foods can severely quickly deprive a person of much-needed energy, fat, protein, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and calcium.
Dietary Principles
Once you've gone through the acute symptoms of diarrhea, many people will advise you to avoid fiber because it can contribute to watery stools. But, this is not necessarily true. It depends largely on the type of dietary fiber you consume:
Soluble fiber can be dissolved in water and readily ferment in the colon. These types of fiber can be prebiotic, adding to healthy bacteria in the stomach, while delaying the speed by which stools pass through and exit the body.
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in the body but rather absorbs water as it passes through the digestive tract, softening and loosing stools in the process.
As such, you will need to focus on foods with soluble fiber to aid in the recovery of your intestinal flora while building more solid stools.
Some gastroenterologists will also recommend a low-FODMAP diet for people with IBS. The diet involves the restriction of certain carbohydrate-containing foods described by the acronym FODMAP (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides, and polyols).
Unlike the BRAT diet, the FODMAP diet can be maintained on a long-term basis, ideally under the supervision of a dietitian to ensure that adequate nutrition is being consumed.
Breakfast Foods
While bananas, applesauce, and toast can continue to fit into the dietary routine, you will want to add some protein and probiotic foods as well (such as yogurt).
Safe breakfast items include:
Crisp rice cereal
Eggs boiled or scrambled with a minimum of butter or oil
Oatmeal, cream of wheat, farina, or rice porridge
Plain, low-fat yogurt with live bacterial culture
Pancakes or waffles without syrup (check to ensure the product or mix does not contain fully or even partially hydrogenated oils)
Unflavored rice cakes
Lunch and Dinner Foods
Lunch and dinner would focus on the increased intake of protein, the avoidance of excessive fats, and the addition of certain carbohydrates to help bind watery stools.
Safe food options include:
Canned tuna packed in water (not oil)
A small portion of lean chicken, turkey, or pork
Chicken broth
Crackers
Salty pretzels
Plain pasta or noodles
Sandwich with lean lunch meat (avoid whole-grain bread)
Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, or winter squash
A small portion of carrots, green beans, mushrooms, beets, asparagus tips, or peeled zucchini
A vegetable soup made with the ingredients listed above
Hydration Tips
Diarrhea causes the rapid depletion of water and electrolytes from the system. To compensate for this, you will need to replace fluids on an ongoing basis even if you are finding it hard to keep them down.3
If you have a loose bowel movement, drink at least 1 cup of fluid immediately after. While water is best, some people will choose sugar-free sports drink to help replace lost electrolytes. Thereafter, as your stomach gets stronger, you will need to increase your intake to between eight and 10 glasses for clear fluid (ideally water) per day.
While non-caffeinated, herbal teas are great for soothing stomachs, avoid any caffeinated drink including coffee, tea, or soda. Similarly, while carbonated water may help reduce queasiness, avoid fizzy sodas or sugary drinks that can make diarrhea worse.

11/06/2022

WHAT TO EAT AFTER GALLBLADDER REMOVAL?
There isn’t one post-cholecystectomy diet that works for everyone, but there are foods that tend to be more problematic than others.
1. Compliant Foods
Apples, applesauce, and pears
Avocados
Bananas
Beans, legumes, and lentils
Berries
Broth and clear soups
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Chickpeas
Collard and mustard greens
Dairy-free milks (soy, rice, almond, oat)
Eggs, egg whites, and egg substitutes
Fish (salmon, cod, halibut)
Grapefruit and oranges
Green bell peppers
Kale
Low-fat Greek yogurt
Nuts and nut butters (almond, cashew, walnut)
Oats and barley
Olive oil (extra virgin)
Plums and prunes
Rice (white if having symptoms)
Seeds (chia seeds, flax seeds)
Sweet potatoes
Tofu and tempeh
White meat chicken and turkey without skin
2. Non-Compliant Foods
Alcohol
Butter, lard, vegetable oil, and margarine
Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks, soda)
Chocolate and candy
Fatty and fried food
Frozen meals and desserts
Full-fat dairy
Ice cream, whipped cream, custard, and pudding
Lamb
Processed and packaged snacks
Pies, pastries, doughnuts, cake, and cookies
Pizza and calzones
Pork, bacon, sausage, and lunchmeat
Potato chips and buttered popcorn
Red meat
Spices (as tolerated)
White refined flour (including bread and pasta)

11/06/2022

WHY DOES MY BELLY HURT?
1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is defined by the presence of a group of symptoms which are present over a period of time, and affects around 1 in 5 of the population at some point in their lives.
2. Trapped wind
Trapped wind is a common tummy complaint, often caused by eating certain foods.
• Trapped wind symptoms
The typical symptoms of trapped wind in the bowels include stomach cramps, burping, bloating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting and pain when bending over, lying down or with physical exercise.
3. Constipation
Constipation is largely due to your diet, but it also has psychological, physical, emotional and hormonal components, so it's worth making an appointment with your GP.
• Constipation symptoms
The symptoms of constipation are infrequent bowel movements, hard, dry stools, difficulty or pain when defecating and swelling of the abdomen.
4. Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a condition that causes the lining of the digestive system to become inflamed.
• Crohn's disease symptoms
The symptoms include unintended weight loss, blood and mucus in stools, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and extreme fatigue. If there is a problem within the immune system, this could cause the body to attack healthy bacteria in the gut. An infection may trigger a similar response from the immune system.
5. Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is a well-defined, serious illness where the body's immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten. This causes damage to the lining of the gut and means that the body cannot properly absorb nutrients from food.
• Coeliac disease symptoms
The symptoms of coeliac can present as mild or severe and most often include diarrhoea, making it very difficult to separate from other tummy issues.
6. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis vomiting bug can be a very unpleasant sickness and diarrhoea bug, but try to avoid seeing your GP as it's extremely contagious.
• Gastroenteritis symptoms
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are sudden, watery diarrhoea, feeling sick, vomiting, and a mild fever. Some people also have other symptoms such as a loss of appetite, an upset stomach, aching limbs and headaches. Symptoms typically appear up to a day after becoming infected and can last a few days but can sometimes last longer.
7. Stomach ulcer
An ulcer is potentially dangerous so it's important to look out for the warning signs. These include difficulty swallowing or regurgitation, persistent nausea and vomiting, vomiting blood or vomit with the appearance of 'coffee grounds', black or tar-like stools, unintended weight loss, anaemia (paleness and fatigue) and sudden, severe and incapacitating abdominal pains. If any of these occur, seek medical advice.
• Stomach ulcer symptoms
A stomach ulcer is very different from a stomach ache so the two should not be confused. Symptoms of a stomach ulcer can vary greatly from person to person. Many people never realise that they have an ulcer, others feel pain or a burning sensation in their upper abdomen.

11/06/2022

The 5 best gut-friendly foods to improve digestion
1. Dark chocolate
Great news for chocolate lovers, dark chocolate is good for your gut health. The higher the cocoa percentage the better when it comes to chocolate's gut-friendly properties, so opt for a bar containing at least 70 per cent cocoa solids.
'Cocoa's polyphenol content is s special plant compound that is a favourite food of good gut bacteria,' says Dr Rossi. 'Regularly eating foods high in polyphenols is associated with optimal gut health and promotes widespread health benefits including lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.'
🍎 Tip: Polyphenols can also be found in apples, blueberries, plums, hazelnuts, red wine and turmeric.
2. Legumes and pulses
Prebiotics such as legumes and pulses provide a source of food for the good bacteria, and help it to flourish. What's more, healthy levels of bifidobacteria are linked with improved digestion and prevention of gut inflammation. 'These cheap but nutritious store-cupboard staples are an excellent source of prebiotics (galactooiligosaccharide or GOS) which promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria,' says Dr Rossi.
Examples of legumes and pulses include:
Black beans
Kidney beans
Lentils
Peas
Chickpeas
Peanuts
🍎 Tip: soak and thoroughly rinse canned legumes and pulses to lower 'anti-nutrients' such as lectins (which can inhibit absorption of vitamins and minerals) , and to make them better tolerated by individuals with more sensitive guts, particularly if you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
3. Flaxseeds (or linseeds)
Don't be fooled by these unassuming little seeds; flaxseeds come with a wealth of gut health benefits. 'They are a good source of omega 3 which is thought to play a role in gut health, but they are an excellent source of dietary fibre which helps to soften stools and make them easier to pass,' says Dr Rossi.
In fact, national dietary guidelines recommend trialing flaxseeds for the management of constipation predominant IBS and a recent study found that flaxseed improved gut bacteria. A large systematic review in 2017 also showed promising results for flaxseed and body composition.
🍎 Tip: it's important to drink plenty of water alongside flaxseeds (1 cup of water per tablespoon), as flaxseeds need water to work. Gradually introduce flaxseeds into the diet starting with half a tablespoon, as a rapid increase can aggravate gut symptoms.
4. Whole oats
Naturally low in gluten, oats are a gut-friendly source of complex carbohydrates. 'Unlike many other grains, oats are well tolerated by those with gut issues such as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity and IBS, which is thought to effect up to 6 per cent and 15 per cent of people, respectively,' says Dr Rossi. 'Whole oats are also a rich source of dietary fibre including, beta-glucans and resistant starch, both known to increase growth of good bacteria associated with decreased gut inflammation.' Oats also support good bowel regulation.
🍎 Tip: opt for the large whole oats instead of ground oats, as the former contain more resistant starch to feed your good gut bacteria.
5. Kefir
A type of fermented milk, kefir is a potent and diverse dietary source of good 'live' bacteria which contains up to 30 different strains of bacteria and yeast, says Dr Rossi. 'Specific bacteria from kefir has also been shown to inhibit the growth of potentially harmful bacteria such as salmonella and e.coli', she explains.
What's more, compared to regular milk, kefir is better tolerated by people with lactose intolerance as the bacteria it contains helps to break down the lactose.
🍎 Tip: other fermented foods rich in good bacteria include live unsweetened yogurt, sauerkraut, tempeh and kimchi. However, it's important to note that many of the commercial products don't follow the traditional processing and skip the fermentation step (such as sauerkraut made with vinegar) and therefore don't contain any live bacteria.

DR Laura -gut specialist

13/06/2022

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