Where do I start if I have digestive issues? - advice from Naturopath Dr Ceilidh Flanagan

Stomach aches - a common concern, a complex problem

Digestive issues are something commonly seen by Naturopathic Doctors. Signs and symptoms can include bloating, indigestion, heart-burn, acid reflux, gas, constipation, diarrhea to name a few. Many things contribute to poor digestion, including medications or chronic conditions. Often times, though, many of these symptoms - which are uncomfortable and affect everyday life - are ignored or treated with a ‘bandaid’ instead of correcting the root cause.

A naturopathic doctor is well trained to help sort out digestive issues to determine where they are coming from and how to manage or correct them. Dr Ceilidh gives us some of her recommendations below, if you are starting to investigate your own digestive concerns:

• Food/symptom journaling (If there are food sensitivities, it can take hours to days for symptoms to show up, so that's why tracking is so important in the early stages). It will also help you become more in-tune with your body and aware of your eating habits. Reviewing this with your Naturopathic Doctor can help you figure out what foods or eating/lifestyle habits contribute to your symptoms.

• Eating mindfully! This is an often overlooked but necessary aspect of good digestion. Some basic principles of mindful eating are:

• Choosing foods that make you feel good

• Being aware of how you feel while eating

• Getting into a calm mindset before eating - you can take a few deep belly breaths to help with this!

• Sitting down to eat, away from distractions (avoid eating on the go, in front of screens or while doing other tasks)

• Chewing your food slowly and completely before swallowing

• Eating with people you care about, fostering good social health and a happy nervous system

Digestion can be a complex issue and can feel overwhelming to figure out on your own. If you’d like to discuss your options or learn more about how to improve your digestion in the long-term, reach out to Dr Flanagan!