Digestion

As the holiday season approaches, invitations to gatherings featuring a variety of festive foods pour in. Many individuals may find themselves facing digestive issues including constipation or heartburn, often a result of one too many helpings of stuffing and pie.  Digestion is the physical and chemical process through which our bodies break down the food we eat in order to provide energy, absorb nutrients and dispose of waste.

Bowel movements are the waste disposal aspect of the digestion process. Constipation is a condition characterized by difficult or infrequent bowel movements. Some common causes of constipation include a sudden change or disruption in one’s eating habits, a poor diet, inadequate exercise and dehydration.

Heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition in which the juices used to digest food leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This causes a burning sensation, irritation, and pain in the throat and chest. While certain foods can trigger heartburn, alcohol, obesity, pregnancy, hernias and smoking are also risk factors.

Two components that are helpful in treating constipation are the use of probiotics and laxatives. Probiotics are supplements or foods containing a type of “good” bacteria that help bring balance back to the digestive tract, while safe laxatives work to increase the amount of water to help waste pass through.

When it comes to treating heartburn, medications called “acid-reducers,” “acid-controllers” or “antacids” each work in different ways to reduce the symptoms of burning and discomfort. If your symptoms persist for more than a week, you should consult your primary healthcare provider.

Because both conditions can be triggered by a number of dietary or lifestyle changes, such as travel, aging and certain foods, it is important to make an effort to stay hydrated, be mindful of portion sizes, and eat slowly.

If you have additional questions or would like information on digestion products, please ask our pharmacists Steve Adkins and Jennifer Pippin.