Let's take care of the intestines

Not many people realize how important well-functioning intestines are for our body. To prevent them from causing trouble, they need plenty of vegetables and fruits, exercise, and moments of relaxation. Avoiding discomfort is certainly not the only reason why we should take care of our intestines. If they are healthy, they maintain a proper bacterial flora, meaning they are inhabited by probiotic bacteria that serve important functions. Firstly, they protect the digestive system from harmful microorganisms. Secondly, they play a significant role in the body's overall immunity. They keep the immune system fully prepared for battle, thus ensuring good health.

The intestine is a part of the digestive system located between the stomach and the anus. Most of the digestive processes and the absorption of substances resulting from enzymatic breakdown of food occur in the intestine. The intestines of vertebrates are characterized by considerable length and diverse structure depending on the animal's diet, as well as a special composition of the tissues forming them, ensuring efficient digestion and absorption. In humans, the intestines are divided into two main parts: the small intestine and the large intestine. The small intestine is further divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The large intestine is divided into the cecum, colon, and rectum, which together form the colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, and anus.

Sometimes, you may experience severe abdominal pain. Diarrhea or constipation may trouble you. These symptoms often occur at the least opportune moments, such as before an important meeting or exam. You may fear that something serious is wrong, while it could be irritable bowel syndrome, a disorder of intestinal function. This condition usually has a nervous origin, so it mostly affects sensitive, stressed individuals. Certain types of food can exacerbate its symptoms, and in women, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can also intensify them.

Find your own way to relieve stress. Psychologists suggest it should be in contrast to your daily work. If you work physically, watching a movie or taking a warm bath might be the best way to relax. If you spend all day sitting at a desk, physical exercises can help you. Pay closer attention to what you eat. Discomfort usually increases after fatty, sweet, alcoholic, or caffeinated foods. Observe your body. Other products can also worsen your condition. Above all, antispasmodic medications that alleviate painful intestinal cramps can help. Remedies that relieve bloating and herbal calming preparations can also be helpful.

You feel like something is gurgling and churning inside you, and you're troubled by diarrhea. Sometimes fever accompanies these symptoms. The cause could be inflammation of the intestinal mucosa related to a dietary mistake, such as eating too much fatty or spicy food or experiencing food poisoning, which is quite common in the summer. During trips to exotic countries, travelers often experience what's known as traveler's diarrhea, caused by exposure to unfamiliar bacterial flora. Diarrhea should not be taken lightly because it can lead to dehydration and malnutrition. In the small intestine, the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients takes place, while in the large intestine, water and mineral absorption occur. If everything you eat and drink passes through you rapidly, you weaken. Moreover, dehydration is a risk because the large intestine cannot absorb enough water during this time (that's why it's important to drink a lot during diarrhea).

First and foremost, avoid bars and restaurants that are not trustworthy. Adhere to hygiene principles. If you're experiencing diarrhea due to a change in diet, popular activated charcoal and anti-diarrheal medications can provide relief. For 2-3 days, follow a light diet. Eat rice porridge, bread, and drink plenty of lightly salted or sweetened water.

Constipation may seem like a trivial ailment, but not for those who experience it every day. The most common causes are improper diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and bad habits. The worst is delaying trips to the toilet. However, there's also a genetic predisposition to constipation.

To prevent obstruction, eat foods rich in fiber. Drink plenty of fluids, 2-3 liters of beverages per day, to soften the stool. Yogurts and muesli with probiotic bacteria and added fruits or grains also work excellently, as they shorten the transit time of food through the intestines. Exercise and sports are also helpful. They stimulate bowel movements.

Herbal, gently acting laxatives (e.g., Xenna, Regulax) will certainly bring relief. They should only be used sporadically because they can be addictive. If you overuse them, your intestines will stop working altogether, and constipation will worsen. The most important thing in combating constipation is changing your diet and lifestyle.

Abdominal ultrasound. It detects, among other things, obstruction, adhesions, intestinal torsion, and tumors. Colonoscopy, an endoscopic examination of the entire large intestine. A flexible tube (endoscope) with a tiny camera is inserted through the anus, which transmits images of the intestines' interior. Instruments for taking samples or performing procedures can be inserted through the tube. The examination detects precancerous conditions, colorectal cancer, diverticula, ulcers, and polyps, for example.

Capsule endoscopy. This examination allows for viewing the mucosa of the entire small intestine. It's relatively non-invasive. You swallow a small capsule with a tiny camera that, as it passes through the intestine, photographs its interior. The data is transmitted to a device that the patient wears throughout the examination (approximately 8 hours). Indications for this procedure include unexplained anemia, polyps, and mucosal damage. Capsule endoscopy has also been used to examine the esophagus and large intestine. Under no circumstances should persistent diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain be trivialized. It's true that they're often associated with minor conditions (e.g., habitual constipation), but they can also indicate more serious conditions. Therefore, quick and comprehensive diagnostics are needed to determine the cause of the symptoms. These causes can vary, from parasitic diseases to tropical ones, through inflammatory conditions like pancreatitis, liver issues, to cancerous changes.