Daily Mirror

So, what’s up with your gut?

- BY MICHELE O’CONNOR

WE all suffer from a dodgy tummy every now and again or problems on the loo. But nearly a third of Brits believe they actually have a serious gut issue.

One in four experience­s things such as constipati­on or diarrhoea at least once a month, a survey of 2,000 adults revealed.

The poll, released ahead of Gut Week 2016, also found other regular complaints include indigestio­n (28%), heartburn (26%) and abdominal pain (24%).

Dr Anton Emmanuel, consultant gastroente­rologist at University College Hospital in London says: “With so many in Britain experienci­ng symptoms of poor gut health, it’s important to raise awareness of digestive health issues and chronic conditions and encourage sufferers to seek medical advice in order to treat any conditions before they get worse.”

So check out our guide and see if your tummy is trying to tell you something.

IBS is a gastrointe­stinal condition affecting as many as one in five Brits. It’s a functional disorder so an X-ray of the gut would show no obvious problem. It’s thought the gut is simply more sensitive but experts don’t know why.

Abdominal pain/discomfort with frequent diarrhoea or constipati­on, bloating and wind.

IBS could be triggered by an infection such as gastroente­ritis or overuse of antibiotic­s or certain drugs, typically antiinflam­matories. There’s also evidence that those affected have increased sensitivit­y to external stimuli, such as stress.

There is no cure but symptoms can be managed and calmed with lifestyle measures, such as altering diets and reducing stress. Anti-spasmodic medication may also be prescribed.

Visit The IBS Network (theibsnetw­ork.org).

A change in bowel habits (urgent and or bloody diarrhoea), abdominal pain, weight loss, and extreme tiredness.

Ulcerative colitis is caused when the inner lining of the intestine becomes inflamed and, as a result, develops ulcers while Crohn’s disease affects not only the lining of the intestine but can also spread to the entire bowel wall. Genetics and smoking can also be contributi­ng factors.

Once IBD has been diagnosed, through stool sampling, barium X-rays, CT scans and a colonoscop­y, it is commonly treated with anti-inflammato­ry medication­s such as immunosupp­ressants and corticoste­roids, which inhibit harmful immune system activities.

In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the inflamed section of the intestine.

Gastroente­ritis – or gastric flu, stomach flu and food poisoning – is inflammati­on of the stomach and intestines.

Stomach cramps with repeated diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, sometimes accompanie­d by headaches and a high temperatur­e.

A virus, such as the norovirus, or food that has not been cooked properly, stored at the right temperatur­e, cross contaminat­ed or eaten past its use-by date.

In the majority of cases, gastroente­ritis will work its way out of your body without the need for medical treatment so sufferers are advised to drink fluids, eat plain food, such as toast, and rest. Over-thecounter oral-rehydratio­n solutions and anti-nausea medication can be helpful.

See your doctor if your symptoms are severe or last longer than a few days. t w y s

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