Ignoring signs of ill health

Aug 25 2010 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

THE MAJORITY of Dumfries residents have confessed to being clueless about the important health signs their bodies give them.

A new survey shows almost 80 per cent admit they rarely or never concern themselves with the health of their guts.

Gastroenterologist and medical advisor to The Gut Trust Dr Nick Read said: “Many people aren’t aware that the majority of the body’s immune system is located in the gut, so looking after it is a key part of looking after the whole body.

“In order to maintain good gut health it’s important to understand how the digestive system communicates with you so that you can be aware of any unusual symptoms you might experience.”

He added: “You wouldn’t ignore a nasty rash on your face, which could be a sign of anything from an infection to an allergy, so why ignore a sight, sound or feeling from your gut, which could also be a sign of something wrong, or a reassurance that all is ok? Think of your digestive system as a built-in, highly sophisticated wellness indicator.”

The survey by www.loveyourgut.com coincides between gut digestive week, which runs between August 23 and 29.

It states less than half of people in Dumfries know that, rather than indicating a problem, sounds coming from the gut may be a sign that all is working properly.

Only 11 per cent of Dumfries residents would understand what it meant if their faeces was a different colour when they went to the toilet.

However, this could indicate a variety of potential issues, such as gallstones or an ulcer, which would need to be confirmed by a GP.

Only 29 per cent of people in Dumfries know that a crampy, abdominal pain could be a sign of more than just over-excess, it could indicate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in some people.