The intestine is an important digestive organ of the human body, which is responsible for nourishing the whole body and excreting waste. Gut health issues cannot be ignored, but there are many misconceptions about gut health in life.
There are many businesses on the market that promote advertisements for "clearing stool" and "detoxifying the intestines", which makes many people believe in the saying that the human body has "stool", and even think that "stool" is the root of all evil, and often use laxatives or enemas to cleanse the intestines. In fact, there is no such thing as "detoxification" or "detoxification" in medicine, and there is no need for regular bowel cleansing in daily life.
After the food is ingested by the human body, it is digested, and after the water of the residue is absorbed, it begins to aggregate and form, so as to coagulate into feces and finally excrete from the body. This is a dynamic process, and there is no such thing as "stool". This process usually takes 24 hours, and may take a little longer for people with constipation.
Feces mainly contain water, inorganic salts, fats, and indigestible dietary fiber, and there is no so-called "toxin". Therefore, "clearing the stool" and "detoxifying" are pseudoscientific concepts.
Regular colon cleansing may cause damage to the intestines, disrupting the normal intestinal flora and intestinal mucosal barrier. If the enema is not done properly, it can also cause intestinal damage and intestinal perforation.
Colon cleanses often contain anthraquinone laxatives, which seem to work at first because the large intestine is irritated by pins and needles, making people want to go to the toilet all the time. However, long-term use will make the large intestine dependent on this stimulus, making it difficult to defecate spontaneously. Long-term use of these laxatives can also cause dark spots to develop in the intestines, and gradually, the large intestine becomes rough and dull, eventually leading to melanosis of the colon. Similar patients are common in the gastroenterology department of hospitals, and we would like to remind everyone to be rational about colon cleansing products.
In the gastroenterology clinic, patients often ask whether the rumbling in the stomach is a sign of strong intestinal motility. There is a medical term to describe this condition, and that is bowel sounds.
Bowel sounds are the intermittent gurgling sounds of gas and liquid flowing in the intestinal tract when the intestines are moving, or the sound of air passing through water. In fact, everyone has bowel sounds, and the normal frequency of bowel sounds is 3~4 times per minute. When intestinal activity increases, bowel sounds can be heard. However, once there are high-pitched or frequent bowel sounds, we need to be alert to intestinal diseases.
If bowel sounds are loud, high-pitched, or even metallic or belly, accompanied by intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, and other problems, it is likely to be mechanical intestinal obstruction.
Intestinal tumors, volvulus, intussusception, and intestinal adhesions can all cause intestinal obstruction. At this time, due to the enlargement of the intestinal lumen and the increase of gas accumulation, the intestinal wall is enlarged and thinned, and high-pitched bowel sounds are produced. If bowel sounds are frequent but not particularly high-pitched, it is necessary to check for gastrointestinal bleeding, acute gastroenteritis, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and other problems in combination with bowel movements.
Watch out for high-fiber meals
In terms of diet, pay attention to a low-fat diet, a high-fiber diet, and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. A high-fiber diet can help speed up bowel movements, prevent constipation, and reduce the contact time of carcinogens with the intestines, thereby reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. In addition, a high-fiber diet can also promote the growth of probiotics and maintain the balance of intestinal flora.
Maintain a good mood
Emotions are an important contributor to gut health, and this connection is known as the "brain-gut axis". We can take the meaning of the "brain-gut axis" literally, that is, there is an "axis" between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract, so that the information exchange between the two can be completed.
In our daily lives, the influence of the "brain-gut axis" is very common: when we are extremely hungry, we will become irritable and sensitive, and when we are angry and depressed, we will not think about eating or drinking, and even vomit. It can be seen that the "brain-gut axis" is a two-way, complex neural network. Learning to adjust our mindset and be the master of our emotions will allow us to do more with less when it comes to maintaining gut health.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Eat regularly, refuse late-night snacks, and give your bowels plenty of time to rest.
- Increase physical activity, avoid sitting for long periods of time, and get your gut "moving" too.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol, and don't let alcohol damage the intestinal mucosa.
- Develop good bowel habits and say goodbye to constipation.
- Reduce the misuse of antibiotics.
- Regular physical examination, pay attention to gastrointestinal endoscopy, and achieve early detection and early treatment.
Source: Healthy China
Editor: Yang Shijia