Health A-Z: Good gut health
Constipation, diarrhoea, bloating and pain are common problems. They may be signs of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects up to one in five of us to some degree – particularly women.
IBS may not be life threatening but it can cause severe pain and discomfort, which can be extremely debilitating and may affect your mood, work, social life and your relationship.
More rarely, digestive troubles can be a sign of more serious conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, together known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We’re also understanding more and more about how gut health is linked to your overall health. Gut conditions are notoriously tricky to diagnose and treat, but you can take steps to help your digestion work smoothly again.