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Happy Tummy Expert

6 days ago

Dear Biswajit Das, Thank you for the question

Mucus is present in the digestive tract and plays an important role in defending against bacteria. Small amounts of mucus in the stool is normal. However, if a person notices larger amounts of mucus in their stool, it may be a sign of Irritable bowel disease (IBD), IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome),  or other underlying medical condition that may require medical attention. We kindly request you to contact your health care professional for further assistance and management.

As per some experts, it can be considered healthy to have a bowel movement ranging from 3 times a day to 3 times a week. But in case you are experiencing gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, diarrhoea, stomach cramps/pain, nausea etc., please contact a specialised health care professional such as a gastroenterologist, for further diagnosis and management.

Regular gastritis, flatulence, excess burping, can be a symptom of gastrointestinal digestive issues such as indigestion, constipation, IBS, intolerances etc., Tightness, Heaviness & fullness in the stomach can be due to bloating. Certain food intolerances can cause bloating, flatulence and stomach pain after consuming specific foods. In lactose intolerance it is seen after consuming milk and milk products like cheese, paneer etc. And in gluten intolerance it is seen after consuming, wheat, rye, barley etc.

Stomach cramps, stomach pain also referred to as Stomach ache, abdominal pain is the discomfort felt near the abdominal region. It can range from mild to severe with varied frequency overtime. Different causes of stomach pain include constipation, indigestion, intolerances, GERD, Appendicitis, UTI, Pre-menstrual syndrome or any other underlying medical condition which requires medical attention.

Here are a few dietary tips to help manage bloating & gastritis

• Eat all your meals on regular intervals. Include small snacks in between throughout the day
• Eat slowly and chew the food well, try not to use straws for beverages to avoid swallowing extra air
• Do not suck on ice or candy.
• Limit the intake of high fat foods, spices, acidic foods and carbonated beverages etc., from your daily diet
• One of the dietary factors associated with bloating is the intake and poor absorption of short chain carbohydrates called FODMAP foods. Consumption of foods that as may lead to excess gas production and poor gas clearance. In case of severe bloating abdominal pain and/or IBS try to limit the intake of FODMAP containing foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, corn, turnips, onions, peas, wheat, dairy, radishes, lentils, apples, pears etc.
• Practice regular physical activity and stress management

Here are a few guidelines for general digestive health.

• Do not skip your meals, have small frequent meals at regular intervals.
• Eat a well-balanced diet including minimum 5 serving of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit in a day as they are good sources of fiber and essential nutrients such as vitamin A, Vitamin B, iron, zinc etc.
• Include prebiotics such as banana, soyabean, garlic etc., good sources of probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk etc., to maintain a healthy gut.
• Try to include whole grains like wheat, multigrain and millets in your daily diet as they are a good source of fiber and other nutrients.
• Limit the intake of fiber and dairy in case of loose stool/diarrhoea.
• Avoid large, heavy meals, and practice portion guidance.
• Deep fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
• Food should be eaten slowly and chewed well as fast eating provokes gastric feeding reflex.
• Avoid lying down immediately after your meal consumption
• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day
• Have a gap of minimum 2-3 hours between bedtime and your last meal
• Engage in physical activity for a minimum of 30-45 minutes for at least 5 days a week.
• Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead.

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