One of the less talked-about by-products (or, should we say, waste products) of lockdown life is the rather unglamorous topic of digestive issues: abdominal bloating, constipation and/or diarrhoea, flatulence, and sluggish digestion in general.
These issues in turn can make you feel bogged down, mentally as well as physically, and may contribute to fatigue, “brain fog”, the general “blahs”, skin problems and weight gain. As well your clothes feeling uncomfortably snug (or simply don’t fit anymore) around a distended torso.
Digestive issues can be caused by a range of things including food allergies or intolerances (eg. to dairy products), hormonal changes, some medications (whether script or OTC), unhealthy eating and drinking habits and generally too little fibre and hydration in the diet.
If symptoms persist and become chronic, cause pain or severe discomfort, it is wise to see a GP for a check-up, who may then refer you to an appropriate specialist to rule out any serious medical issues.
But lockdown life seems to have contributed to an epidemic of digestive issues, judging by the anecdotal evidence collected by this writer over the months.
Bloating commonly occurs due to a buildup of gas somewhere in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It causes the belly to look larger than usual and may also feel tender or painful.
Fluid retention in the body can also lead to bloating. Ironically, fluid retention can often be caused by dehydration, which is a major contributor to constipation.
Perhaps you are drinking or eating things that lead to the body holding on to fluid to “dilute” the “toxicity” – eg. alcohol and caffeinated drinks, overly salty or sugary foods, those packed with preservatives, or taking laxatives.
Another major contributor is if you’re not drinking enough water. Two litres consumed during the day is generally recommended.
If digestive issues have been causing you a figurative pain in the backside since the lockdowns and radical lifestyle changes started, it could come down to a few basic factors.
Eating and drinking too much, especially the wrong kinds of things
Sure, we all need a treat now and again to help perk us up but if it becomes habitual to ease stress, depression, anxiety, or boredom … danger ahead! For instance, consuming too much alcohol, sugary or caffeinated drinks, eating overly stodgy, salty, fatty, or sugar-laden foods – aka comfort foods.
The biggest culprits are things like fast foods; think takeaway burgers, battered/crumbed fried fish or chicken, hot chips or pizzas, and snacks like chocolate, potato chips, lollies, cake, and biscuits.
That’s not to say we should ban them from our diet but make them a special treat, not a regular habit.
Maybe also assess how many fatty foods and carbs you’re eating per day (the latter primarily being pasta, potatoes, bread, and rice) and whether you’re getting enough leafy greens and other vegetables, fibre and healthy protein.
It might help to keep a food diary – many people are amazed at what they’re consuming every day when they write down every single thing they eat in a typical day. It also can highlight how much “comfort snacking” you’ve been doing without really thinking. After all, consuming too many calories is the major contributor to weight gain!
Get your butt moving
Many of us are not getting as much physical activity as pre-lockdown restrictions, especially in areas where restrictions are extremely strict about when and for how long – and how far – you can leave home.
As lockdowns repeat and drag on, people can also become increasingly demotivated to get moving – literally. Sleeping later, sitting around the house ruminating. It can be tempting to think “what’s the point”, or “I can’t socialise and have no particular place to go anyway”. We hear you!
This applies to the many who are now out of work, are working from home and/or who oversee home schooling. Even the daily rituals of commuting to work and taking the kids to school was a vital, habitual form of activity.
Many years ago, I was given some great advice. When you’re feeling down, don’t lie around in bed for hours. It creates a bad precedent for the day. Get up, make that bed, have a shower, brush your teeth, dress in clean clothes, groom your hair, put on some make-up (if you happen to be a make-up wearer, that is).
It sounds trite, but it creates a routine to get the day started on a more purposeful and positive note. It works. Oh, and don’t sit around for hours watching TV or for hours or at your computer.
Depending on the restrictions in your local government area, try to get out of the house for as much fresh air, sunshine, and exercise as you’re allowed – walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, whatever your preference. And guess what – you’ll see other people!
There are also loads of online fitness classes to do at home – yoga, Pilates, weight training, calisthenics, to name a few. Maybe hire exercise equipment, like a treadmill, for the duration of lockdown.
Importantly, moving your body gets your digestive system moving, too. And it dramatically improves mood. A build-up of stress, depression and anxiety can cause a spike in cortisol – the so-called fight-or-flight stress hormone. Too much of this on a consistent level in your body also contributes to weight gain.
Yoga for digestive youthfulness
Certain yoga poses can position the muscles in the abdomen in a way that encourages the release of excess gas from the GI tract and can help reduce bloating and relieve constipation.
Child’s Pose, Happy Baby Pose, and squats can all help people to relieve a buildup of gas quickly.
Just roll out a mat, rug, or towel on the floor at home and consider some of these eight therapeutic poses from US website Medical News Today: www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327086. Google around and you’ll find more.
Entrance at rear
It’s not for everyone, and many people are squeamish – or frankly freaked out – about the idea, but colon hydrotherapy (aka a colonic) can be an effective therapy to get things “moving”.
No, it’s not at all glamorous, as a tip attached to a hose is inserted in the anus (not painful) and water flushed into the colon to rehydrate it for around 45 minutes (in a series of flushes) to release impacted waste matter and mucus, that accumulates when the body is struggling with toxicity.
There’s really no need to be embarrassed, as highly qualified therapists have “seen it all before” and are very discreet and sensitive.
Abdominal massage is also included for maximum results (self-abdominal massage guides can also be found online).
Says Anna Paredes, owner of four Colon Care Centres in Sydney (www.coloncarecentre.com.au/): “After 25 years of being one of the pioneers of colon hydrotherapy I have found that there is so much missed information on the procedure.
“People aren’t aware how important the colon is. How five organ systems, such as the skin being the largest elimination organ of the body are involved.
“The skin has the same epithelial cells as the gut and is such a visual indication – eg. external uneven tones on the skin, rashes, dryness, premature ageing, psoriasis, and eczema – of how our gut looks internally.
“The second largest organ system is the liver, which has 500 functions. Two of the most important function is to degrade fats and manufacture hormones.
“This gives us a build-up of oestrogen within the body if the colon doesn’t eliminate completely every single day. It will consequently leave a build-up of estrogen in the cells of the body, making it very hard for fat to dislodge and balance the reproductive hormones for conception.
“Then we have the lymphatic system, the lungs, and of course the brain’s inability to produce appropriate levels of serotonin and dopamine, of which 95 percent of the enhanced hormones are situated in the colon’s transverse.
“The colon, to achieve complete bowel contraction, relies on three litres of water a day. Through a colonic treatment we introduce straight hydration of the organ systems to catch up, to be able to eliminate sufficient toxins and faecal build-up from the foods the body ingested and stored.
“All laxatives and many fibre powders – such as psyllium husks – will dehydrate the small intestine to purge the bowel.
“All bowel preps leave behind some faecal debris and that’s why gastroenterologist Dr Thomas Berody from (Sydney’s) Clinic of Digestive Diseases in Five Dock has a team that also conducts the procedure in colonics.
“Once elimination is achieved, then activation of the liver through the stimulation of the bile ducts is also achieved eliminating the build-up of fats which results to a fatty liver.”
Herbal haven
There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence that trying herbal supplements and teas may help ease bloating, flatulence, constipation et al, instead of a latte.
For instance, organic detox tea brands, peppermint oil capsules or teas, liquid chlorophyll (around 30ml per day), fennel oil, topically applied essential oils are all said to be beneficial.
But it would be best to consult your doctor, pharmacist, or highly qualified natural health practitioner (such as a naturopath or herbalist) before trying these remedies.
