This is a super system that lacks your brain and Heart’s glamor but is crucial for well-being.No one likes talking about acidheart reflux, constipation, and bloating. It’s not fashionable, chic, or polite. But as a doctor, this comes up for discussion with astounding regularity. People can complain of problems with gas(that’s the exact word),causing everything from family trouble to headaches. Most of the time, they are not far wrong. What you eat and how you poop is crucial for good health.
I have written about the gut-brain axis. About probiotics and prebiotic, I have a book on Probiotics. It’s a short book that distills the information that has helped my gut and the advice I give my patients.
I had a nervous bowel and had a habit of taking too many PPI. My gastritis solution was a medicine that ensured that I always had traveler’s diarrhea if I was not careful.
But few people who take OTC antacids know that indiscriminate use can cause trouble in paradise. Lowersacidity- yes. But that secondarily increases the risk of poor digestion. You need stomach acid for digestion. But hyperacidity creates all sorts of problems.
Overdosing on PPI lowers the population of good gut microbes known as probiotics. Increases risk of infections involving your digestive tracts.
So what comprises the Digestive tract?
- Mouth
- Oral cavity
- Oropharynx
- Pharynx /throat
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Duodenum
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
- Rectum and Anal canal
All these parts together help you take care of the food you eat.
If your system has too much gas(yes thats the word), your organs stretch, and you feel pain. If your gut has terrible bacteria, a nasty virus, or a lousy toxin, it can make you rush to the loo and throw up. You lose water and electrolytes, you feel weak, your muscles cramps, your circulation is compromised.That’s why diarrhea needs ORS
There’s a saying your eyes tell us about our soul-Your oral cavity tells your doctor about your digestion and chewing addictions(if any).
Your poop habits determine how happy you are (all factors being equal)-this is simplifying the issue, but you know what I mean, right? This was an interesting video which explains many things, simply.
When we traveled by road in Uttaranchal, we used to find roadside hotels to stay in on the fly.No prebookingMoney was tight, and we traveled in big groups, so budget hotels were the need of the day. The person who went to scout a hotel needed to check two things.Room AC and the bathroom
Both needed to be working and usable. The latter more than the former.
Toilet Ek prem Katha is a super hit, and there’s a reason Swachha Bharat started with a toilet.
Souchalay for the urban poor and rural households is much needed. For those of us who grew up in regular city houses, we don’t understand this. But my Sasural in the village had a toilet outside the house when I got married.Now 13 years later, finally, an attached bathroom part of a small renovation project. If you have ever visited the real Indian countryside, you know how precious that is.
Keep your digestive system happy by taking care of a balanced diet rich in fruits and veggies.
Don’t forget to drink water and exercise too.
All these work together to make you a happy pooper.
This is part of BlogchatterA2Z Human Body for kids series (part 4)
