How a Digestive Imbalances Can Cause an Itchy Bum
If you’ve never had diarrhoea, constipation, bad breath, bad smelling gas, that sensation of bloating, or even an embarrassingly itchy anus, then you are probably in the minority of people who go through life with perfect bowel health.
A number of common ailments can often be put down to digestive problems and can be caused by things like stress, nasty bacteria, parasites or just an imbalance in the guts natural juices.
- If you are passing small, pebble sized stools then it may be sign that you are not drinking enough fluids or your levels of digestive enzymes are a little low. It could also be a sign of liver problems.
- If your movements are watery then you probably have a bacterial infection and if you only have a bowel movement once or twice a week, the chances are you are suffering from constipation.
- Dark stools are a sign that you may have blood in your gut, but if they are quite light then that may signify you have something up with your gall bladder or liver.
- Having said that, many foods and the odd glass of red wine can change the colour of stools, but if it is happening over a period of time then it might be a good idea to go and see your doctor.
- If your movements contain food bits on a regular basis then it might be that you are not breaking down your grub properly, perhaps due to a lack of digestive enzymes.
- And bad smelling motions are generally due to toxins building up in the gut which can be caused by a poor diet or a bacterial infection.
- If you have a motion which is about the shape of a banana, doesn’t smell too bad and is a brown, nutty colour, then the chances are everything is fine with your gut.
Most of us will suffer from one or more of the above at some point in our lives, and it may well lead to an itchy anus that requires a little soothing cream. If symptoms persist, even when you have changed your diet for a better one, then it is time to pop into to see the GP. Any imbalance in the digestive system can cause things like constipation or diarrhoea both of which can then lead to that embarrassing itch that you can’t resist scratching.
4 Top Tips for Healthy Digestion
- Keep your gut healthy by drinking plenty of water. A glass an hour not only lubricates the digestive system but powers your brain and keeps you thinking more clearly.
- Don’t forget your five fruit and veg a day. They contain a brilliant source of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that supercharge your system. An apple a day also goes a long way to maintaining your most valuable organ, the heart.
- Drink alcohol in moderation. Yes, it might be nice to have a glass of wine at the end of the day but overdoing it on a regular basis can have all sorts of harmful effects.
- Steer clear of processed foods. They contain high levels of salt and preservatives which are not that good for your stomach (or the rest of your body).
If you want to give yourself the best chance of a good digestive system and avoid embarrassing problems like an itchy bum, then having a good diet should be at the top of your list.