We have news if you’ve experienced embarrassing gas, uncontrollable stomach ache, and uncomfortable heartburn. These are symptoms of chronic digestive problems in women. Even though most people experience occasional digestive issues, if these start to occur frequently, they can cause major discomfort. There are many causes of chronic digestive problems, including infection resulting from bacteria in food, stress, side effects of certain medications, and chronic medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease, colitis, and IBS.
Living with chronic digestive problems can make performing everyday activities difficult. You may need to run to the bathroom frequently, be embarrassed in public, and avoid going out on some days. However, the good news is, by making specific diet and lifestyle changes, you can manage your digestive issues. Read on to find out more!
Natural Remedies for Chronic Digestive Problems in Women
You can always pop medicines to keep your bowels in order, but becoming over-dependent on medications is never a good idea. We suggest that you try these home remedies to cure your digestive problem.
1. Maintain a Balanced Diet
The best way to resolve long-term digestive problems is by eating a balanced diet. Nowadays, most people follow a Western diet high in saturated fat, sodium, refined carbs, and food additives, which has been linked to chronic digestive problems.
Substances like food additives and trans fat can increase gut inflammation or cause a leaky gut. The solution to this is consuming a balanced diet based on whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. One should also limit the consumption of greasy fast food and processed foods.
2. Maintain Healthy Body Weight
Eating the right foods will make it easier for your body to fix digestive problems and maintain a healthy body weight. Maintaining healthy body weight is crucial for chronic digestive issues. Besides, obesity has been linked to increased digestive problems. Studies have shown that people who watch what they eat and exercise regularly report less trouble with their bowels.
3. Reduce Stress
Can stress cause chronic digestive problems? Yes, stress is one of the most significant contributors to digestive problems in women. If you suffer from digestive or bowel problems, you should find healthy ways to channel your stress. You can have a support network in your family, try resting more, engage in hobbies you like, or see a professional therapist. There are many ways to manage stress. Find something that works for you.
Also read: Stress Relieving Ayurvedic Essentials
4. Increase Water Intake
Water is the secret to a healthy life. Low water intake can cause many problems, including chronic digestive issues and constipation. Studies show that a person should drink at least 1 to 2.5 liters of water every day. If you live in a tropical climate, have a busy schedule, or exercise regularly, you may need to drink more water.
Increase Water IntakeSuppose you find it difficult to maintain your water intake. In that case, you can try drinking flavored detox waters, non-caffeinated beverages like seltzer water, or herbal teas such as green tea, chamomile, hibiscus, etc.
5. Consume a High-Fiber Diet
Fiber is crucial for good digestion. Soluble fiber solves digestive issues by effectively absorbing water and adding bulk to your stool. In comparison, insoluble fibers are like a giant toothbrush that keeps things moving in your digestive tract.
A high-fiber diet can solve many digestive problems, including ulcers, IBS, hemorrhoids, reflux, diverticulitis, etc. Therefore, eat foods with probiotics like yogurt, fruits, and vegetables.
6. Eat Mindfully
With our busy schedules, it’s hard to pay attention to what we’re eating and how we’re eating. But, this can lead to indigestion, bloating, or gas. If you’re experiencing chronic digestive problems, doctors suggest practicing mindful eating.
Mindful eating is a practice in which a person is required to pay full attention to the process of eating by minimizing distractions. Studies show that mindful eating can have several positive benefits and benefit those who suffer from bowel issues.
To eat mindfully, make sure you eat slowly, turn of your phone/TV or any distractions, eat each bite of food consciously, and pay attention to the different aspects of food (temperature, taste, texture, and so on).
Also Read: Ayurvedic Herbs and Spices To Boost Digestion
7. Exercise and Chronic Digestive Problems
One of the best ways to improve digestion is to exercise regularly. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise for everyone, and exercise helps the food in the digestive tract move efficiently and prevents indigestion.
You don’t need to spend hours at the gym or do heavy exercise. You can start by taking a short walk after your meal. Moderate exercise such as cycling, walking, and jogging can massively benefit women experiencing chronic digestive problems.
8. Stop Smoking
Habits such as smoking can increase the potential of developing acid reflux and indigestion, and they are among the most common contributors to chronic digestive problems in women. Research has shown that quitting smoking can improve the process of digestion and prevent constipation.
Smoking is also associated with medical issues such as stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal cancer, and ulcerative colitis. If you have digestive problems, quitting smoking would be the wise thing to do.
9. Go for Regular Checkups
If chronic digestive problems go unnoticed, they can lead to more severe issues such as gastrointestinal cancer, colitis, ulcer, etc. Therefore, it is important to go for regular checkups and health screenings. Many women’s health issues are often misdiagnosed and mistreated, and digestion is one of them. To keep your overall health in check, schedule yearly visits to your general physician’s clinic.
10. Take OTC Medicines
If your digestive problems are unmanageable, relieve yourself by taking OTC medicines. You can take simethicone, lactase supplements, probiotic vitamins, or alpha-galactosidase. However, consult your doctor before taking these medicines as they may have side effects or may not be suitable for your condition.
In conclusion, the only way of fixing chronic digestive problems in women is by maintaining good health. Therefore make sure you eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, keep yourself hydrated, manage stress, exercise regularly, and go for routine health screenings.
Also, read 7 Health Screenings For Women Over 40
