Protecting your Digestive Health

Our bodies are our most precious possessions and we need to protect them. A well balanced, nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising regularly are all essential to maintain good digestive health. A high fiber diet is essential to maintaining good bowel function. Avoiding excessive caffeine, alcohol and saturated fatty foods also will contribute to a healthier well being.

1. 
   Our bodies constantly provide us with feedback about the state of our health. Unfortunately, too many of us ignore signs and symptoms that may indicate underlying illness. Not listening to your body can put your good health at risk. Below is a list of signs and symptoms that may indicate a digestive problem. If you are experiencing any of the following, please visit your physician:
   • Diarrhea that lasts more than five days
   • Unintended weight loss
   • Persistent vomiting
   • Black tarry stools (this is dark red blood mixed in with the stool)
   • You see bright red blood in your stool
   • Bloody diarrhea
   • Unexplained fatigue
   • Pain in the stomach area that is aggravated or alleviated when you eat
   • Persistent fever
   • Pain when having a bowel movement
   • Symptoms that wake you from sleep or persistent severe abdominal pain
   • Difficulty swallowing, pain in the chest, feeling that there is an obstruction in your throat
   • Persistent heartburn that is not relieved with over the counter antacids
   • Persistent abdonminal pain that awakens you at night
   • You have abdominal pain that is localized (in one area more than any other area)
   
   The CDHF has a series of fact sheets to help you recognize the signs and symptoms of digestive disorders. Please visit our section on disorders for more information.