Your digestive system breaks down foods and liquids into nutrients for energy or to build or repair cells.

What and how you eat influence digestive health, and the digestive tract does not always run smoothly. Your gut health changes because of ups and downs in stomach acid, gut immunity, and intestinal flora. 

Foods, beverages, sensitivity to certain foods, eating patterns, and medications can cause digestive problems to flare up. Problems can result from bacteria in food, infection, and  personal stress. Feelings and digestive system health have a brain-gut connection with issues like anxiety and depression.

Digestive problems cause challenges and some embarrassment. 

Digestive Problems include:

• heartburn, reflux disease 
• peptic ulcer
• gas pains
• irritable bowel syndrome 
• constipation
• diarrhea.
• constipation

Become familiar with the actions and episodes that trigger your digestive problems. Learn about events and situations that seem to set off your digestive upsets. You can then anticipate or avoid the risky situation. 

Improve and Keep your Digestive System Healthy:

Here are helpful tips to get through each day with comfort and ease. There is no need to schedule your activities around your bathroom breaks.

• Eating right can help prevent digestive problems or soothe your system when a tummy problem erupts.
• Adopt healthier cooking options.
• Eat a balanced diet. Choose fruits and vegetables with whole grains more often. 
•  Diets rich in fiber builds beneficial bacteria and gut health.
• Consume foods with probiotics,
• Stay hydrated. Water is essential for normal bowel function and helps keep stools soft but solid and well-formed. 
• Drink plenty of fluids should diarrhea attacks occur to avoid becoming dehydrated.
• Pay attention to portion size, frequency, and how quickly you eat.
• Prevent transmitting potentially dangerous bacteria to your food. Practice healthy hygiene, thorough hand washing with soap after you use the bathroom and before eating or preparing food.
• Regular exercise is a helpful way to ward off digestive system problems.
• Stress seems to bring about or aggravate digestive problems. Relieve stress with relaxation therapies such as meditation.
• Modify your stress management activities to suit your needs. 
• Get ample sleep. Insufficient sleep creates a milieu for digestive system disorders. 

Share with the family your self-care plan. Do not conceal your digestive problems from them. Let them know and understand how, when, and why you are affected by digestive predicaments. 

When tummy health is good, you do not experience damaging inflammation and a decrease in immunity. Consult with your doctor on a treatment plan. Dietary guidelines and medication to improve your digestive health can help. 

Connect with other people who suffer from similar digestive problems. A support group can provide a forum for exchanging ideas and support.