From Constipation To Diarrhoea And Everything In Between, Maintaining Gut Health Can Be A Challenge.
Digestive health is a cornerstone of our health and wellbeing. The old phrase about ‘trusting your gut’ is well put – we are all familiar with that instinctive feeling.
We are also unfortunately also all too familiar with when our digestive health is off. Diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, and queasiness — these are all signs that our digestive health needs a helping hand.
As the HSE notes, various lifestyle factors can affect bowel health, such as diet, stress, alcohol, smoking, antibiotics, travel, or shift work. But simple changes to your lifestyle, such as eating well and staying active and hydrated, can make a big difference. Fortunately, at the pharmacy counter you can advise on a range of over-the-counter products to treat common digestive problems and help maintain good digestive health.
CONSTIPATION
Constipation is a common condition affecting people of all ages. It can mean that you are not passing stools regularly, or that you are unable to completely empty the bowel. It can also cause stools to be hard and lumpy, as well as unusually large or small. Older people are five times more likely than younger adults to experience constipation, usually because of dietary factors, lack of exercise, use of certain medications, and poor bowel habits.
Eating enough fibre, or ‘roughage’, is an important part of a healthy diet. It helps to move food through the digestive system and prevent constipation. It also makes stools bulky and easier to pass. A diet high in fibre can help to maintain a healthy weight, and lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Patients can be advised to choose porridge or a wholegrain breakfast cereal in the morning; eat a green salad or vegetable soup at lunchtime; eat wholemeal bread, rice, and pasta instead of white; and include vegetables or pulses, such as peas, beans, and lentils, in their main meal.
People should also be advised to stay hydrated as they increase their fibre intake. This helps prevent the bloating and discomfort that can sometimes happen with an increased fibre intake.
Having a regular meal pattern can also help, as does eating breakfast every day.
Eating on the go is to be avoided, as eating quickly can cause you to gulp extra air. This can leave a person feeling bloated and uncomfortable.
Constipation can be a significant issue for pregnant women, affecting approximately 40 per cent during their pregnancy. The first port of call is their GP, who may advise a change of diet by increasing fibre and fluid intake. They may also be advised to do gentle exercise. And if dietary and lifestyle changes do not work, they may be prescribed a laxative to help stools pass more regularly.
There are also numerous trusted and effective over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives on the market, one of which is Dulcolax. Dulcolax Liquid brings gentle and fast relief to occasional constipation in as little as 30 minutes. It contains magnesium hydroxide, which works by drawing water into the colon to help the stool to pass. It works naturally with the body and is stimulant- and gluten-free.
Dulcolax has a range of solutions to help you get back to yourself, such as a treatment which provides overnight relief for occasional constipation and irregularity. Another, Dulcolax Pink Laxative Tablets, are specifically designed for women. Dulcolax Stool Softener is a stimulant-free laxative that softens dry, hard stools. Dulcolax Medicated Laxative Suppositories can start to work within 15-to-60 minutes of use, while Dulcolax Liquid gives fast relief from occasional constipation.
Senokot is also a trusted brand. It is made with natural senna and gives relief from occasional constipation. Its products include Senokot Regular Strength tablets.Â
A DIET HIGH IN FIBRE CAN HELP TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT, AND LOWERS THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE, DIABETES, AND SOME CANCERSÂ
These products work differently than other laxatives because they are made from the senna plant, a natural vegetable laxative ingredient. Senokot Regular Strength can be taken at bedtime and generally help relieve constipation in six-to-12 hours.
There are also Senokot Mixed Berry Flavoured Gummies, which provide gentle, dependable, and delicious relief from occasional constipation. Great-tasting Senokot Mixed Berry Flavoured Gummies are also available for children. Another product in the range is Senokot Syrup. It naturally relieves symptoms of occasional constipation.
DIARRHOEA
Diarrhoea, or loose/watery stools, is another common ailment. It can have numerous causes, for example, the norovirus, and can affect babies, children, and adults at any time. It may be accompanied by stomach cramps, an elevated temperature, flu-like symptoms, vomiting, and dehydration.
Similarly to constipation, there are a number of OTC products to treat diarrhoea. Imodium is one of these trusted brands. Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief is the only OTC anti-diarrhoea tablet that relieves diarrhoea along with the symptoms of gas, bloating, cramps, and pressure. The combination of loperamide plus simethicone provides fast relief from acute diarrhoea and associated gas-related abdominal discomfort. No other brand combines these two powerful ingredients for multi-symptom diarrhoea relief suitable for adults and children aged six years and older.
Another trusted brand is Enterosgel. Enterosgel is an oral suspension indicated for the symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea, and it has a range of products. It is not absorbed by the body and is expelled with the stool, this way eliminating the absorbed toxins and harmful substances, which can be beneficial for the treatment of acute diarrhoea and IBS-D.
Enterosgel Kids, in a convenient 90g tube, is a gentle solution for digestive comfort. This oral suspension is specifically formulated to alleviate symptoms associated with gastrointestinal issues in children, such as diarrhoea and indigestion. With its unique mechanism of action, Enterosgel Kids helps to bind and eliminate toxins from the gut, promoting overall digestive wellness.
People experiencing diarrhoea can also become dehydrated. Fortunately, Dioralyte targets dehydration caused by diarrhoea, helping the body to restore and maintain lost fluids and replace essential body salts. Dioralyte products, which come in a range of flavours, are suitable for adults and children of all ages but parents should seek medical advice before using Dioralyte for children aged two years and younger.
Dioralyte is also effective in relieving dehydration from other causes such as sport and exercise. Drinking too much alcohol can also cause dehydration.
The product Arret is used to treat sudden and acute episodes of diarrhoea. It stops diarrhoea fast, can be used alongside oral rehydration therapy, and comes in a capsule format. The capsules contain loperamide hydrochloride, which helps reduce diarrhoea by slowing down an overactive bowel, thereby helping the body to absorb water and salts from the bowel. Arret Capsules should be used in conjunction with oral rehydration therapy which replaces fluids and salts lost during diarrhoea. A patient must be aged over 18 years to purchase this product.
Nausea and vomiting can also be a symptom of diarrhoea. One product that can help ease symptoms is Motilium. It can be used by adults and children aged 12 and over and who weigh over 35kg. Motilium should not be taken if the patient has any underlying heart or liver condition.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common problem in Ireland and is thought to affect about one-in-five people. Its symptoms include abdominal pain or discomfort. Other symptoms include pain, relieved by going to the toilet, muscle pain, backache, and needing to pass urine more frequently or urgently.
Buscopan, an antispasmodic, is also available over the counter. It works in the abdomen, directly targeting and relieving the cause of abdominal pain. It is well tolerated and starts to work within 15 minutes of taking the first dose of tablets.
PROBIOTICS
The ‘gut microbiome’ is a unique population of predominantly bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract, where food is digested and absorbed. According to Healthy UCD, this population includes more than 1,000 different species and trillions of micro-organisms. Research shows links between the gut microbiome and many aspects of health including the immune system, cardio-metabolic health, and digestive symptoms and conditions such as IBS, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and digestive cancers. As well as helping to digest food, the microflora also produce vitamins which play an important role in different metabolic reactions.
However, many factors such as poor diet or health, antibiotics, or simply the stresses and strains of modern living can disturb the microfloral environment in the digestive tract, and compromise health in all kinds of ways.
IBS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN IRELAND AND IS THOUGHT TO AFFECT ABOUT ONE-IN-FIVE PEOPLEÂ
The alteration of the balance of intestinal microflora causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, excess gas, and bloating. It can also result in changes to bowel habits such as harder, looser or more urgent stools than normal.
In terms of maintaining and promoting this vital aspect of health, probiotics are also available.
OptiBac Probiotics ‘For Women’ is perfect for those seeking an expert ‘friendly’ bacteria supplement for women. It contains the extensively researched strains of natural bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC- 14. Each capsule provides 2.3 billion live micro-organisms. The two strains in this supplement have been clinically trialled by over 2,500 women around the world, and at different life stages.
Udo’s Choice Super 8 Immune is a trusted brand and helps to replenish the ‘friendly’ gut bacteria. In fact, it’s one of the most efficient probiotic supplements available. It contains bacteria strains which slow the growth of yeast, act as natural antibiotics, help with lactose tolerance, reduce cholesterol levels, and combat candida, thrush, and diarrhoea. It also helps tame the inflammation of colitis and IBD and aids in conditions involving immune reactions such as allergies and dermatitis.
Another trusted product is Alflorex, the only product in Ireland containing the 35624 culture, a strain of Bifidobacterium longum naturally found in the human gut. Developed by Irish scientists in PrecisionBiotics, Alflorex is clinically proven to reach the gut alive and is backed by over 20 years of research.
The 35624 culture is supported by gold-standard clinical evidence for its ability to improve key IBS symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, bowel movement difficulties, and overall symptom severity. Alflorex offers a convenient, easy-to-take daily solution to support digestive health. Alflorex was discovered and developed by PrecisionBiotics, in partnership with clinicians from one of the world’s leading centres of microbiome research. PrecisionBiotics is an Irish company and Alflorex was discovered in Ireland. The 35624 culture in Alflorex has been shown in clinical trials and in scientific publications to transit through the digestive system and reach the bowel with its properties intact. Alflorex has been carefully formulated to be stable at room temperature and does not need to be refrigerated.
Another probiotic Tumbiotix Gold provides a potent combination of casperome and probiotic lactobacilli bacteria. Casperome is a clinically researched lecithin-based formulation of Boswellia serrata extract. This multi-action formulation also contains three popular strains of probiotic bacteria. It can help relieve abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and irregular bowel habits such as alternating diarrhoea or constipation.
Finally, as an upset digestive system can also lead to pain, there is also a range of OTC pain medication available for use if needed.