The digestive system is the most important system of the human body. Human health is mainly depending on the function of the digestive system. Every person should adequately treat the digestive system. The main job of the digestive system is to break down food into nutrients so that body can get a sufficient amount of energy for work. The digestive method is liable for the essential functioning of the body hence special care must be taken to stay fit and fine. Keeping this in mind below is the list of 10 common habits that can damage the digestive system.
- Overuse of Medication:
In this environment, almost every person has taken medicine at some point in her/his life. Medicines are necessary to cure diseases. But the overdose of medicine is very harmful to the human body. The overuse of medication includes aspirin and non-steroidal or non-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Generally, people tend to cure illnesses without consultation with doctors. This can be fatal. Many medicines develop stomach ulcers as well as affects functions of the digestive system. Stomach ulcers are also known as gastric ulcers which are very painful sores in the stomach lining. Although a bacterial infection caused by Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of gastric ulcers the overusing of medications is equally responsible for the cause of ulcers. Many medicines can cause side or adverse effects on the human body. Hence it is advisable to take medicines as per the prescription of the gastroenterologist only.
- The wrong time for meals:
This is the common habit of most people. Today due to a hectic lifestyle, many people eat food late at night. The human digestive method works efficiently when we eat food at right time. Do not keep the stomach empty for a long period except the hours of sleep. Eating at irregular times increases acidity and affects the functioning of the digestive system. Eating junk food late at night is also harmful to the body. The higher acidity level causes heartburn. The digestive method cannot work properly due to improper eating time. Every person should eat food or snack at least 2 to 3 hours before going to bed so that the digestive system can get sufficient time to process the food. The breakfast should not be skipped. If a person is suffering from heartburn then he/she should sleep in an elevated position. Hence it is necessary to eat food at right time to avoid further complications of the digestive system.
- Eating too much at one go:
Several people eat too much food at one go. It affects the function of the digestive system. It can be harmful to human health. People should eat food in small portions throughout the day so that it will be easier for the digestive system to break down the food for nutrients. If a person eats food in large quantities at one time then there is a high possibility to rupture the stomach lining. Eating too much food at the same time increases acidity level and bloating. Hence every person should eat small meals regularly after a certain period to stay healthy.
- Too little fiber content in daily food:
The fibrous foods always help the digestive system to break down the foods into nutrients easily. A little fiber content in food is harmful to the digestive system. The human body needs about 25 gm of fiber per day to keep the digestive system functioning with full efficiency. Fibrous food benefits to regulate bowel actions and stop illness as well as acidity. Hence every person should increase the intake of fibrous foods such as orange, lemon, apple, sweet potato, nuts, carrots, spinach, green beans, beetroot, soya beans, broccoli, bananas, cauliflower, and legumes. The fibrous food increases the efficiency of the digestive system. Hence every person should include fiber foods in the diet. Regular consumption of fibrous food is essential for the proper functioning of the digestive system.
- Eating too quickly:
Today Due to the hectic lifestyle many people are eating food quickly. They do not get sufficient time for eating food. Eating food too quickly can causes trouble in the digestive system. When a person eats quickly, he/she does not chew food properly. In this way, un-chewed food starts collecting in the stomach and swallows air. Unnecessary air causes acidity and heartburn. After eating food very quickly, the stomach does not get sufficient time to expand and it can cause pain and discomfort. Regularly eating food too quickly can bloat a person and finally damages digestive health. Hence every person should eat food at the right place to stay fit and fine.
- Drinking too much alcohol:
Alcohol is very harmful to the human body whether to drink in small or large quantities. It damages the digestive system. Alcohol delays the speed of absorbing nutrients of the body and kills the helpful bacteria which are present in the digestive system. Alcohol also develops ulcers in the stomach and prevents them from healing. Continuous drinking of alcohol damages the liver permanently. It can also cause stomach cancer. Hence every person should avoid drinking alcohol.
- The habit of chewing gums:
Gum chewing gives freshness to a person but it can damage the function of the digestive system. This habit starts to swallowing too much air which can develop bloating in person. The artificial sweeteners found in chewing gums make a person uneasy. People should avoid chewing gums to keep the digestive system efficient.
- Not going when you need to go:
The human digestive system’s health depends upon cleanliness. Whenever a person feels nature’s call he/she must visit the toilet. Keeping the dump in-store seriously affects the body system. Make a habit of passing stools beginning in the morning. If people do not have a consistent pattern, do not delay going to the toilet whenever the need occurs. In case anyone suffering from illness, necessary measures should be arranged without losing time.
- Cleansing bowels regularly:
The intestines are important to your digestive system and people should keep them healthy for a healthy life. To clean your bowels usually is a part of the normal method of digestion but overdoing it causes more damage than provide nay benefit. Laxatives that contain herbal extracts like chemical preparations containing phenolphthalein are used by people but these compositions will make your bowels work overtime and may cause diarrhea. A bout of diarrhea results in a dehydrated human body and missing many of the good microorganisms that perform important functions in your digestive system. Also, instead of helping, laxatives can cause constipation by interfering with peristalsis.
- Postponing a Colonoscopy:
Colonoscopy means an endoscopic examination of the large bowel and distal part of the small bowel with the help of a camera. Colonoscopy is protection for the digestive system. It should be done when the doctor prescribes to a patient. People should not postpone a colonoscopy in any case. Neglecting colonoscopy can harmful to the digestive system. A timely colonoscopy can save a person’s life from deadly diseases.