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Diarrhoea and Constipation

Management of your gut health is vital to reducing the likelihood of constipation or diarrhoea. Some pro-active measures you can implement include at least one portion of fruit or veg at every meal and, of course, ensuring that you are drinking (water or tea!) throughout the day!

 

Constipation

Of course, if you are experiencing gut issues, then you want them resolved as soon as possible. If you think of constipation as a hard blockage in a pipe system, then you want to soften the blockage and lubricate the edges to help it move.

  • Fruit and Hydration: to help with this we would recommend have an extra portion of fruit and drink a bit more water (or tea!) throughout your day.
  • When eating some fruit and drinking water, it allows your body to soften the blockage you are experiencing and provide lubrication to help it move to where it needs to go!

 

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea, on the other hand, is when there is not enough substance to what you are eating, and it is moving too quickly through your system.

  • Focus on Water Intake: as you are losing a lot of fluid when you have diarrhoea, it is important to hydrate more to replace these losses. It is important to avoid fruit juices, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol where possible. Continue to aim for 3 small meals throughout the day and try to have more of your favourite vegetables and grains.

  • A local pharmacist can also advice on electrolyte substitutions in case of severe diarrhoea, especially when accompanied with vomiting. We also have a clinical team of Pharmacists here at Simple Online Pharmacy who are available for you to speak to, and they can give advice on how to manage side effects should you experience any while on the medication.

 

Digestive issues can be very uncomfortable and are a particular nuisance when you are trying to engage in regular movement and physical activity. Fortunately, there are various movement techniques you can use to alleviate your symptoms.

Firstly, any type of movement is beneficial if you have constipation / diarrhoea, as it increases your blood flow. This is important, as the increased blood flow to the digestive system can help stimulate intestinal muscles and promote regular bowel function. This is also the case with resistance activity – any movement that involves lifting or moving weights.

 

Given that your aim is to simply increase blood flow around your body, there are a wide range of movement activities you can choose from:

  • Light Aerobic Activity: do whatever is comfortable. If walking or jogging are not comfortable, cycling on an exercise bike may not cause your digestive system to ‘bounce around’ as much, and could be very beneficial.
  • Housework: this could be a good time to do any housework that is needing done. Not only will this increase blood flow to your digestive system, but the sense of achievement could perk you up and improve your symptoms.

So, even if your symptoms make it tricky to go out for a walk or run, try and stay active in the house. Whether you are gardening, hoovering or playing with the kids, you will be increasing blood flow and benefitting your digestive system.

  • Bonus Gem: yoga and breathing exercises are another amazing, low-impact way of stimulating your digestive system. There are some specific poses that may help alleviate your symptoms that are supplied in the resources given to you throughout your renu [https://renu.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk/] journey. 


The key focus with alleviating digestive symptoms with movement is to do what is comfortable. Overreaching with movement could further irritate symptoms. So, if one movement is uncomfortable, change it up and lower the impact and intensity until you find the ‘sweet spot’ of comfort.

If diarrhoea persists for more than a few days, if you cannot tolerate any oral fluids, if you are feeling drowsy, if you have blood in your stools , or if there's bleeding from your bottom, you must contact NHS 111 for further advice.

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