The intestines digest food, synthesize hormones and vitamins, and remove endotoxins and exotoxins from the body.

When should you start worrying about intestinal pain?

You will experience bowel problems, including:

• Constipation or diarrhea
• Pain, cramping, or aching in the lower abdomen
• Flatulence
• Unhealthy feelings, skin problems, allergic reactions, or weakening of the immune system.

How can you improve your intestinal health?

Disorders of the intestine can be associated with acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In such cases, only a doctor can prescribe adequate treatment after some tests. Lifestyle, unhealthy diet, age, hereditary tracts, and medication also affect bowel function. You can play a role in improving your health to support your intestines.

When you feel constipated: First, it is important to drink enough liquids — at least 1.5–2 liters per day. Mineral water and freshly squeezed juices from beetroot, carrot, and cabbage are especially useful. Prune berries drenched in boiled water overnight also help.

Eat fiber, which swells greatly in size, adsorbs toxins, and stimulates peristalsis. Include seaweed, bran, dried fruit, and wholemeal bread in your daily diet.

Food rich in organic acids supports bowel function, so diversify your diet with fermented milk drinks, fruit drinks, sour fruits, and pickled vegetables.

Vegetable oils such as olive, linseed, corn, and sunflower help solve constipation. A teaspoon on an empty stomach can help, and can also be added to salads. The primary thing to avoid is frying the oil. If antibacterial drugs cause stomach problems, you should take probiotics.

Physical exercises aimed at increasing intra-abdominal pressure will help normalize the intestinal function: crunches, sit-ups, and planks. Swimming, walking, and cycling are also helpful. By improving blood circulation in the intestines, you normalize peristalsis. But products such as black coffee, chocolate, strong tea, and cocoa have, on the contrary, a strengthening effect.

When your stomach hurts:

• Reduce fiber intake, eat only boiled vegetables
• Eat food in small portions and do not overeat
• Eliminate alcohol and sparkling drinks
• Take enterosorbents (oral intestinal absorbents), which remove toxins from the body.

Most often, the cause of intestinal disruption lies in improper diet and not enough water intake. If you respond to the body's signals in time, you quickly resolve the problem. If the above recommendations do not help, you have a more serious situation and should contact a gastroenterologist immediately.

23 March 2021