ON THE COVER Dr Sarah Jarvis
My Weekly’s favourite GP from TV and radio writes for you
As a GP, I hope there’s nothing my patients won’t say to me – no matter how embarrassing for them, I’ve seen it all before.
But all too often patients leave the issue they’re worried about until they’re on their way out of the door. Surveys suggest people often suffer with incontinence, wind and a host of other issues for years, when simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
Flatulence is completely normal. Gas down below is largely a function of what we eat, and the bacteria in our guts that help us digest it. That smell is down to small amounts of sulphur (also responsible for the smell of bad eggs; you get the picture!).
Our guts contain trillions of bacteria, and we wouldn’t be able to digest food without them. Some are “friendlier” than others – and where wind is concerned, you’re better off if you can keep the proportion of gas-producing bacteria down by topping up your good bacteria.
You can do this by providing food they thrive on, including fermented foods like sauerkraut, natural live yogurt, naturally produced cheese or tofu. You can take a prebiotic such as Bimuno. Or you can use a probiotic, such as Symprove, VSL#3 or Actimel, which top up good bacteria. Some carbohydrate is resistant to being broken down and digested in the stomach and small bowel, so they reach the large bowel (colon) essentially unchanged. Here the bacteria get to work, producing wind as they digest them. Beans are the classic culprits, but peas, broccoli, parsnips, raisins, prunes and slimming foods containing
IF YOU LEAK URINE WHEN YOU COUGH OR SNEEZE, DO SEE YOUR GP – A REFERRAL TO A SPECIALIST PHYSIOTHERAPIST CLINIC CAN OFTEN SOLVE IT
sorbitol have the same effect. Try substituting other veg – cutting down on fibre as too much leads to constipation, which can make wind worse.
Burping is also largely to do with what you swallow. We all swallow some air as we eat, but gulping food or chewing gum increases this. Fizzy drinks add gas which often comes up; a full stomach relieves the pressure by letting wind out; and mints, tomatoes and onions can relax the valve at the bottom of your gullet, letting gas escape upwards.
Bad breath is usually due to the state of your teeth and oral health. Using dental floss to remove trapped food as well as brushing; chewing gum to increase saliva (though too much can increase wind!); and getting regular dental check-ups all reduce the risk.
Everyone knows spicy foods, garlic and onions can come out on your breath, but crash diets can also lead to halitosis. And since bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugary foods, it’s worth cutting down.
A dry mouth makes you more prone to bad breath – it can be a medication side effect so ask your pharmacist. Mouth-breathing from a blocked nose dries your mouth; if allergy is the cause, a nasal spray from your GP or pharmacist can solve this.
Most sweat glands produce salty water but those in your armpits produce a liquid containing protein and fat. Bacteria love it, and mostly it’s these that cause body odour. Garlic and spices can get into sweat, so cutting down may help.
Regular washing stops bacteria having time to do their work. But avoiding sweating from your armpits can be even better. Choose an antiperspirant (rather than just a deodorant); keep cool; wear breathable fabrics and if the problem persists, ask your pharmacist about a deodorant containing aluminium. Next week: Pain relief – what works for you?
THINNING HAIR DOESN’T JUST AFFECT MEN. IT’S OFTEN LINKED TO LACK OF PROTEIN IN THE DIET, LOW IRON LEVELS OR UNDERACTIVE THYROID GLAND