Gut health is something that is extremely personal to us all but that does not mean we should not address our concerns if something is abnormal.
Also sometimes what we believe to be normal is not necessarily true. When we experience symptoms on a regular basis they can start to feel like our normal, but this does not mean they cannot be improved.
As a naturopath, the symptoms I consider to not be normal in relation to gut health include:
1. Bloating.
Whether you wake bloated, get progressively bloated throughout the day or bloat after eating particular foods none of these are considered normal and need to be investigated. It could be a food intolerance, IBS, or a problem with the motility of your digestive system.
2. Abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain should never be experienced. Upper or lower pain is something that is not normal (even PMS pain which is another story). You abdomen hosts not only your digestive organs but also organs of other body systems and therefore needs to be investigated.
3. Excessive flatulence.
Flatulence is normal but excessive flatulence for you is not normal. On average, people pass wind 15 times a day but it is varied between individuals so if passing more gas than normal for you, this needs to be investigated as it could be caused by a change in diet, food intolerances, IBS, IBD, excess air swallowing which can be caused by anxiety or a change of intestinal bacteria.
4. Burping.
Burping otherwise known as belching or eructation can be a sign of heart burn or reflux and can also demonstrate a lack of stomach acid and indigestion.
5. Stool formation.
Loose stools or passing little rocks are not considered normal.
Your stool should be shaped similar to a sausage, be soft and the outside smooth with no cracks. It should be easy to pass with no blood, undigested food or mucus present.
The frequency of stools should be 1-2 bowel motions a day. Anything less or more than this is not considered normal.
6. Straining.
Your stool should be relatively easy to pass without causing straining, pain or bleeding. Straining can cause haemorrhoids and can indicate a low fibre diet or a lack of hydration.
7. Complete Evacuation.
Once passing a bowel motion, it should feel like a complete evacuation not a half completed job.
You should not have to return later for it to feel complete.
8. Heart burn or reflux.
Reflux, heart burn or GERD can be a sign of excessive stomach acid or underachieve stomach acid. Regardless this must be improved to prevent acid from rising up your oesophagus and causing damage and pain.
If after reading this feel like your digestive symptoms may not be normal, please be in touch to discuss (Book Now button above). Good digestion is optimal for nutrient absorption, immune health, mood and overall health.