Service
Bowel health and prevention
- Section
- Services
- Specialist
- Op. Dr. Dilara Hasanova
- Clinic
- Modern Hospital, Baku
“Healthy gut, healthy mind”
Short answer
This is Dr. Hasanova's slogan. Bowel health means protecting the digestive system, the gut microbiota and normal bowel movements. There is a two-way connection between the gut and the brain through nerves, hormones and the immune system: stress can make gut symptoms worse, and gut problems can spoil everyday mood. Read more: “Healthy gut, healthy mind”
Gut–brain axis
Brain
- Nerves (especially the vagus nerve)
- Hormones
- Immune system
- Microbiota products
Gut
Daily rules
- Fiber-rich diet: vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole-grain products. About 25–35 g of fiber a day.
- Water: enough fluids throughout the day. More in hot weather and during physical exertion.
- Physical activity: daily walks and simple exercises increase gut motility.
- Eating habits: eat without rushing and chew your food well.
- Proper toilet habits: do not hold back the urge, do not strain, do not sit on the toilet for long, put the phone aside.
- Fermented foods: yogurt, kefir. Sauerkraut contains live bacteria only in the kind fermented in salted water without vinegar (unpasteurized). Because it is salty, people with high blood pressure should be careful.
- Stress management and sleep routine.
Preventive examinations
- For people at average risk, colon cancer screening from age 45 (from age 50 in some recommendations): colonoscopy or a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- Earlier examination if there is colon cancer or polyps in the family
- See a doctor, regardless of age, for rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits or other warning signs