8 ways to prevent digestive disorders

PT Health Life – Digestive disorders are a condition of imbalance in the microflora leading to intestinal dysbiosis, occurring mainly due to consumption of unhygienic food.

Patients with digestive disorders tend to increase in the summer, especially on hot days because high temperatures create conditions for bacteria and mold to grow and develop, making food easily rotten and spoiled.

1. Who is susceptible to digestive disorders?

Digestive disorders are medical conditions that occur when the digestive tract shows signs of abnormal structure or activity.

There are 2 types of digestive disorders :

• Organic digestive disease: Occurs when the digestive system has structural abnormalities, leading to affected activities.
• Functional digestive disorders: Occurs when the digestive system does not function normally but there is no physical disease.

Digestive disorders are a common problem regardless of age or group. However, there are special risk groups that need attention, including:

• Children and adolescents: Digestive dysfunction and motility disorders commonly occur in the age group from birth to 18 years old. Functional gastrointestinal disorders account for at least 40-50% of cases, mainly associated with abdominal pain.
• Elderly people: Aging is an important factor causing comprehensive decline and digestive system disorders in the elderly. The strong progression of the aging process is the main cause of common digestive disorders in this group.
• Pregnant women: During pregnancy, the uterus can put pressure on the intestines and stomach, leading to digestive problems. Hormonal changes in the body can also contribute to disorders such as constipation, indigestion, etc.
• People who practice sports that require endurance: These people often face dehydration, strict diets, and vascular disorders due to vigorous exercise. These factors can negatively impact digestion.
• People who often experience stress, anxiety and depression: Unstable and uncomfortable psychological conditions can cause digestive disorders. The link between mood and the digestive system is very strong.
• People with chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, migraines, hypothyroidism: These chronic diseases can affect the digestive system and cause problems related to digestive disorders.

2. How to prevent digestive disorders

1. Store food properly: Leftover food should be wrapped tightly or put in specialized food boxes and stored in the refrigerator, reheating when used to eliminate harmful bacteria. Do not eat dishes that have been left out for too long and reheated many times. Raw foods such as fish, meat, and seafood need to be classified when preserving. Avoid using plastic bags to preserve food. Do not refreeze after defrosting. Throw away spoiled food and clean the refrigerator regularly.
2. Scientific diet: Limit stimulants such as alcohol, beer, carbonated beverages, foods high in sugar, fat, protein, street food, raw salad… because of indigestion, can change the intestinal microflora. Instead, you should increase fiber, vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables such as bananas, pineapples, sweet potatoes, kale, and spinach.
3. Drink enough water: To prevent the body from dehydration on hot days and improve intestinal health, adults drink two liters of water a day. The dosage for children depends on age and needs. Water contributes to cleaning the digestive system, softening stools, preventing constipation, while increasing the efficiency of food decomposition, improving the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
4. Supplement foods containing probiotics: Probiotics support a healthy digestive system. Fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut provide abundant probiotics for the intestines. Do not eat too much fermented food because it can cause adverse effects that are harmful to the digestive system
5. Maintain cleanliness: Keeping your body and living environment clean helps prevent disease-causing agents. Wash hands with soap before eating, after going to the toilet or after contact with dirty environments.
6. Exercise to improve health: Maintain an exercise habit of about 150 minutes per week, 30 minutes a day to increase blood circulation, maintain digestive system function, and support intestinal regulation.
7. Reduce stress: Irregular sleeping habits and stress in work and life create pressure on the digestive system, increasing the risk of intestinal inflammation, loss of appetite, bloating, and cramps.
8. Do not drink alcohol or tobacco: Drinking too much alcohol reduces the immunity of the digestive tract. Cigarettes contain many toxins that can disrupt the intestinal microflora, causing digestive diseases.