12% of deaths in the UK are linked to the digestive tract, totalling over 64,000 last year.
1 in 8 of all admissions to general hospitals in the UK are associated with digestive diseases and conditions.
Over a third of the population regularly suffers from digestive illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, stomach-aches, nausea and sickness.
GPs prescribed over £750 million worth of drugs for the gastrointestinal system last year in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Diseases and conditions
Bowel Cancer is the 3rd most diagnosed cancer and 2nd commonest cause of cancer death in the UK. However, 80% of cases can be treated successfully if caught early.
Cancers of the digestive tract are the largest cancer killer, accounting for 23% of all UK cancer mortalities.
Coeliac disease is very common in the West, but virtually unknown elsewhere in the world. In Britain there is high incidence, with 1 in 1000 people affected.
Over 3 million people in the UK suffer from constipation every month.
An estimated 200 million people around the world, on any given day, suffer from diarrhoea.
Faecal incontinence (soiling) may affect 1 in 20 people.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition in our society. It affects a third of our population at one time or another.
Ulcers are common in Britain. About 1 in 10 men and 1 in 15 women suffer from an ulcer at some time in their lives. In most people they heal up with treatment.
Ulcerative colitis & Crohn’s disease affects 150,000 people in the UK, with 8,500 new cases being diagnosed every year.
People open their bowels between three times a day and three times a week in the UK.
The normal daily stool weight in the UK is 50-200g. However, in countries where the diet is higher in fibre, the daily stool weight can be as much as 500g.
A normal individual passes wind by the rectum on average 15 times per day.
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Twinges in your stomach and unruly bowel movements that may have nothing to do with the spiciness or richness of the food consumed the night before, might be the symptoms of more serious health complaint. A new survey of 1000 people conducted by TNS has revealed a lack of knowledge about one of our greatest health threats. It shows the majority of us would not recognise potentially serious symptoms, which have been associated with fatal digestive diseases. Yet newly released government statistics show these account for 1 in 8 UK deaths.
Deaths from digestive illness - including colon cancer, liver disease, pancreatitis and diverticular disease - account for 12% of total UK deaths, and 1 in 4 major operations in UK general hospitals are connected with the digestive tract. Though the majority of respondents thought they knew which symptoms would be serious enough for them to seek advice, when probed over 50% of interviewees considered 11 out of 14 important digestive symptoms wouldn't be sufficiently serious to merit GP consultation. (as specified by the British Society of Gastroenterology).
Good health begins on the inside, but the digestive system is one of the parts of the body most often neglected and taken for granted due to poor eating habits. punishing time schedules and living life in the fast-lane. For this reason, Core (the working name of the Digestive Disorders Foundation), The IBS Network and Yakult (makers of the friendly bacteria drink) are working together for Gut Week 2005 (18-24 July) to increase public awareness of digestive health.
Gut Week’s message is to look after the digestive system – eat a healthy diet and most importantly, don’t ignore symptoms. Even if people do feel embarrassed talking about “bodily functions” a doctor won’t be — and will soon put a patient at ease.
"Diseases and conditions of the digestive tract are one of the nation's biggest causes of death," says Warren Alexander, Director of Core. "Yet, because of ignorance, taboos and embarrassment, many people are left isolated and suffering in silence from illnesses that could be treated. This is why Core has supported Gut Week from the outset. It enables us to reach many more people with our information on a wide range of digestive problems and to let people know about the vital need there is for funds for further research into these life-threatening conditions of the digestive system."
“Don’t be afraid to discuss your gut, is our key message,” adds Dr Nick Read, Medical Adviser of the IBS Network. “Go to see your doctor if you have persistent gastrointestinal symptoms. Early detection will normally mean a cure. For example, if bowel cancer is detected early enough, it is usually treatable. Most people with persistent bowel symptoms, however, have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. If you have this then joining the IBS Network will help you find the most appropriate way for you to gain relief.”
During Gut Week, those people who have an existing gut problem, or are worried that they may have one, can receive advice and encouragement by calling a specialist Gut Week nurse. The nurses will be available on 0208 743 4287 from 6pm to 10pm every evening and 10am-12pm Saturdays from Monday 18th until Sunday 31st July. All calls will be confidential.
Visit: Gut Week
To receive a Gut Week 2005 information pack containing advice on when to see a doctor, tips for healthy eating and a complete guide to the digestive system is available free of charge from the Gut Week Helpline 0208 743 4287 (call any time) or log on to order online.
Fortunately there is a lot we can do to keep a healthier digestive system advises Professor Colette Shortt, visiting lecturer at the University of Ulster and Director of Science at Yakult.
Eating a well balanced diet, giving mealtimes importance and improving lifestyle habits can all have a beneficial effect on our gut.
— Eat a balanced diet, with a wide variety of different foods. Choose foods rich in fibre such as fruit, vegetables and starchy carbohydrates. Moderate amounts of lean meat, fish, eggs and protein alternatives are also recommended, along with milk and dairy foods.
— Try to consume five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. These can be fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or a glass of juice.
— Drink plenty of fluids. Aim for 2 litres (3 ½ pints) per day –roughly equivalent to 8-10 glasses.
— Limit the amount of alcohol you consume. Women should drink no more than 2-3 units a day, men 3-4 units.
— Cut back on sugary and fatty foods. If you need to snack, try to keep hunger at bay with nuts or a piece of fruit.
— Encourage friendly bacteria. This may help to keep a better balance of bacteria and yeasts within the gut and promote a healthy digestive system. Choose foods such as fermented milk drinks and live yoghurts with friendly bacteria. Foods like bananas, onions and leeks also encourage friendly bacteria.
— Take your mealtimes seriously by treating them as a section of the day in their own right rather than a function to be slotted around work.
— Take your time. Eat slowly to give your system a better chance of digesting your food. Sitting upright will allow a more efficient passage to your intestines.
— Chew well. Break down each mouthful into small pieces. This releases the enzymes that aid digestion. The food is processed thoroughly and all the goodness extracted.
— Eat early. A good breakfast will kick-start your metabolism and set you up for the day, whilst overloading the digestive system late at night can lead to bloating.
— Don’t miss meals. A lack of food in the system can cause excessive gas - and lead to a gurgling, wind filled stomach.
— Sip your drinks. This stops you also consuming air with each gulp.
— Exercise often. Experts recommend 30 minutes of exercise 5 times a week.
— Relax to help balance out stress. An irritated bowel may be caused by stress or anxiety.
— Yoga is especially effective as it has the effect of massaging the abdomen and releasing trapped wind.
— Go to the toilet! Make a habit of going first thing in the morning. Don’t put off going to the toilet as this can trigger constipation.
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CORE
Core (the working name of the Digestive Disorders Foundation) is an independent national charity that funds medical research into the prevention, cure and treatments of all forms of digestive disorders which account for one in ten of all deaths in the UK. It relies on charitable donations to continue its work.
Core does not endorse any specific commercial or pharmaceutical products.
Core provides quality information for sufferers on a wide range of digestive problems through its web-site:
Core or through leaflets and fact sheets available from:
CORE 3 St. Andrews Place London NW1 4LB or by e-mailing Core Charity
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THE IBS NETWORK
The IBS Network is a national charity, which offers support, information and advice on Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
The IBS Network does not endorse any specific commercial or pharmaceutical products.
The IBS Network can be contacted through its website: IBS, or through its helpline Tel: 0114 272 3253 (Monday to Friday 6pm to 8pm and Saturday morning 10 to 12 noon) when calls are answered by specialist IBS nurses.
For an information leaflet send a £1 coin and a SAE to:
IBS Network, Unit 5, 53 Mowbray Street, Sheffield S3 8EN.
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