Your digestive system plays a vital role in the functioning of your body. Whenever you eat food, the digestive system works tirelessly to break it down and absorb all the nutrients. However, sometimes, some factors can hinder the digestive system from working properly. These factors include:

• Certain foods

• Certain medications

• Lifestyle changes

• Stress

• A serious illness (worst case scenario)

Spotting the symptoms of poor digestion will help you to get back on track. Within this guide, we will be taking you through five signs of poor digestion.

Signs Of Poor Digestion

1. Stomach Ache

Stomach ache is often one of the first symptoms you’ll experience when struggling with poor digestion. It is usually caused by gastritis; the liquid that helps to digest food that contains a lot of acids. You may also experience stomach aches as a result of bloating or constipation.

2. Constipation

The last stage of the digestive process occurs in your large intestine, where waste product forms into solid stools. As a result, changes in bowel habits are often a sign of poor digestion. This includes constipation.

Constipation occurs when you struggle to pass stools when going to the toilet. According to the NHS, it is caused by many factors, including not eating enough fibre or drinking enough liquids.

3. Diarrhoea

Another change in bowel movements to look out for is diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is the opposite of constipation; it occurs when you frequently have to pass watery or loose stools. When treating diarrhoea, make sure that you have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

4. Indigestion

As the name suggests, indigestion is another problem that can occur as a result of poor digestion. Indigestion is often caused by the acid in your stomach, which can irritate your stomach lining and throat. Common symptoms of indigestion include heartburn, belching, and bloating.

5. Heartburn

As stated in the previous point, indigestion can cause heartburn; a burning sensation in your chest. Just to re-clarify, this is caused by stomach acid travelling towards your throat. If this problem persists, it is likely to get diagnosed as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

How To Deal With Digestion Problems

Digestion problems often go away on their own; just pay close attention to the foods you eat and try to avoid stressful situations. However, if symptoms persist and you would like extra assistance, try out turmeric tablets. Turmeric has long been known to contribute to a healthy immune system and taking it in a tablet form will help to safeguard your intake.

When To See A Doctor

If the symptoms of poor digestion do not go away, visit your doctor. They will likely run some tests to establish if an illness is causing severe symptoms. Severe symptoms of a digestive illness include:

• Worsening heartburn

• Unexpected weight loss

• Difficulty swallowing

• Persistent bowel changes

• Bloody stools

For more information on common digestive systems and how to treat them, visit the NHS website. Remember to never diagnose yourself online - always visit your GP or another reliable health expert for further clarification.