Dealing with digestive disorders

Most people in the UAE suffer from gastric and digestive disorders because of the unhealthy food habits and sedentary lifestyle, a trend that has been on the rise these days, says Dr Prakash B Shankar, Specialist Gastroenterologist at Aster Specialty Clinic, International City adding that people now should be much more aware of diseases that could follow. “On a daily basis, I see between 10-15 patients in a day in the clinic complaining of digestive disorders.

“Digestive disorders may be caused due to multiple reasons. In some cases, they are caused due to problems related to the digestive system while in other cases they could be an indication of an underlying health condition.’ Unhealthy dietary habits like those mentioned by Dr Pascale are the main contributors of digestive disorders in the UAE.”

Moreover, most people here lead sedentary lifestyles with busy work schedules and no physical activity, he adds. Therefore, obesity is a leading problem in this region, which causes various health disorders, he says. Shankar provides tips to ease the condition:

Avoid eating processed food and food with high salt content. Avoid oily, fried and fatty foods

Eat healthy, home cooked meal at the right times and in proper quantities. Never overindulge in food, always eat the appropriate quantity of food. Consume a balanced and healthy diet with all the essential nutrients of the food group

Make sure to engage in some form of physical activity. Cycling, walking, swimming etc. are mild forms of exercise that will help you keep fit at all times

Make sure to consult a specialist in case of observing any unusual symptoms that persist

Fast food should be avoided

Quit consuming tobacco and smoking