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Digestive Fitness Week Launched
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At the launch of Senokot Digestive Fitness Week today by dietitian Paula Mee, it was revealed that as many as three out of ten people do not know the causes of constipation. This is despite the fact that one million people suffer from constipation in Ireland.
Senokot Digestive Fitness Week takes place from 1-7 October and aims to promote the importance of being healthy ‘on the inside’ and raise awareness of how dietary and lifestyle facts can affect bowel health. Throughout the week, members of the public will be encouraged to find out more about their digestive fitness by visiting one of the information stands at shopping centres around the country in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.
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At these stands they will be invited to complete a digestive fitness questionnaire to rate their digestive health. This questionnaire, devised by dietitian Paula Mee, highlights dietary and lifestyle factors which affect bowel health and advises people to seek further medical advice where concerns are raised.
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| Dates for the Fitness Week Roadshow |
 | Mahon Point Shopping Centre Cork on Thursday 4th October |
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| Eyre Square Shopping Centre, Galway on Thursday 4th October |
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| Castletroy Shopping Centre, Limerick on Saturday 6th October |
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| Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Dublin on Saturday 6th October |
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Speaking at the launch, Paula Mee said “It is surprising that many people do not know what causes constipation, despite the large number of people who suffer from it regularly. It highlights the level of embarrassment that still surrounds the issue and re-inforces the need for awareness to address the lack of knowledge and understanding surrounding the issue. If you have a problem with your digestive health, please talk to your local pharmacist or GP”
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| Paula’s Top Tips for Taking Care of Digestion |
| Eat a balanced diet rich in fibre and prebiotics, maintain regular meal-times and take your time when eating. Some of the best sources of fibre and prebiotics are wholegrain breakfast cereals, wholegrain bread, jacket potatoes, porridge, wholemeal pasta, brown rice, beans, peas and lentils. |
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| Eat five or more fruit and vegetable portions a day. |
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| Drink between 1.5 – 2 litres of fluids a day, but not too much coffee or alcohol, as these are strong irritants and can act as diuretics, causing the loss of water from the body. |
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| Exercise for 30-60 minutes most days of the week. |
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| De-stress – find a leisure activity that focuses on breathing, body control and relaxation, e.g. yoga, pilates.
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| Understanding Constipation |
The chief causes of constipation are a change in diet, lack of roughage/ fibre in diet, lack of fluids/water, lack of exercise and stress. Some people are more susceptible to constipation, for example: people who are older, have irritable bowel syndrome, are taking particular medications such as iron tablets or antacids, and women who are pregnant, menstruating or menopausal. However, constipation can affect anyone, with any of the following potentially giving rise to constipation:
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| Going on holidays/climate changes |
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| Changes to our diet or routine/unfamiliar toilet facilities |
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| Dehydration or sitting down for long periods while travelling |
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For further information on constipation and for a free copy of a digestive fitness guide, visit www.constipationadvice.ie, a dedicated website created by Senokot and Fybogel to provide facts, information and resources on constipation. This website provides an online version of the digestive health questionnaire which can be completed online.
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