STRESS – We have all experienced tremendous amounts and the changes we have been forced to adapt because of the pandemic. It not just affects our mental level but it also affects our wellbeing in multiple ways.
Finding a ways to address stress and implement healthy measures in our lives can be challenging but it has to be done.
Sunway Medical Centre endocrinologist, Dr Teoh Wei Leng says the pandemic has changed our lives in many long-lasting ways.
People find it harder to draw boundaries between their work and personal time. This makes people stressed because they cannot “switch off”.
To add to that, parents with young children who have being cooped up at home for long periods of time notice that expectations and dynamics within their families have changed.
Dr Teoh explains, all this causes great amounts of stress to the body.
Now, many patients come to the hospital for consultation with symptoms that are not linked to actual diseases, but are instead caused by stress, such as chest pain and indigestion.
Sunway Medical Centre gastroenterologist, Dr Max Hu, echoes these thoughts and elaborates that excessive amounts of unchecked stress can seriously affect our digestive health.
“Our body clock also governs our digestion. So if our lifestyle is turned upside down, it can definitely affect our gastrointestinal tract in ways that are not always obvious,” he explains.
This can result in common problems like acid reflux, abdominal pain and bloating, and erratic bowel habits including loose stools or constipation.
Elaborating further, Dr Hu says that the most common complaint of indigestion is bloating. It can be controlled by cutting down on sugary foods, avoiding drinking from straws, switching to low lactose or non-dairy alternatives, and ensuring 3-7 smooth bowel movements per week.
Many of us are lacking the physical movement we need because being at home all the time.
“Even people who exercise regularly have had their daily routines disrupted. This lack of physical movement can lead to weight gain, acid reflux and constipation,” says Dr Hu.
A common misconception many people have is that simply eating more fruit and vegetables is healthy and can solve many gut-related problems.
However whilst beneficial to health, this increased fructose and fibre consumption can result in painful bloating and flatulence especially if you are already constipated to begin with.
“Fibre is good. However if more of it is not helping your symptoms. Make sure you speak to your doctor.”
Dr Hu adds, it is also important to remember that indigestion or altered bowel habits persisting for longer than four weeks could be a sign of cancer especially for those older than 40. So always get advice from a professional if this is the case.
Another crucial part of inculcating healthy changes into our lives is movement and exercise.
Dr Teoh says this may be difficult to do for people with hectic lifestyles.
“When you do not have time, doing exercising properly is hard. However, it is important to make sure your body is moving as much as possible. It does not need to be vigorous; you just need to be moving.”
Try parking your car further from the entrance of your building so you can squeeze in a walk. You can also take the staircase to your floor instead of the elevator if you can.
We should also be well informed when deciding to make healthy changes to our lives .
Dr Hu says one of the most basic steps to take is understanding how your body responds to your diet.
“For example, take the keto diet. Switching from starches to fats as a primary source of energy can result in weight loss; but also high-circulating blood lipids and potentially altered gut bacteria which can affect our health in other ways.”
Also, not all dietary fats are created equal, so consult a professional if you wish to embark on such dietary changes, he elaborates.
Dr Teoh adds, even simple things like keeping your daily sugar intake in check is necessary.
Finally, to make lasting healthy changes, we should be taking the initiative to go for regular health screenings at least once a year.
Those aged 40 and above, and especially those with a family history of diseases, are encouraged to do regular screening. This to ensure they are not at risk of developing conditions such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes or cancer.
Source: Meera Murugesan (NST.COM.MY)
