Health in the Home

Southland Times, Issue 21560, 25 November 1931, Page 5

Health in the Home

AN ABDOMINAL TROUBLE. (By a Family Doctor). In a great many people the stomach and the intestines lie very low down in the abdominal cavity. This particularly occurs in the tall and thin type of individual. In the majority of cases it has no untoward effect; but in certain people it is the cause of numerous, rather vague, but, nevertheless, very distressing symptoms. At one time it was thought that the symptoms were mainly the result of kinks produced in the intestines. But it seems much more likely that they are really due partly to the dragging of the intestines on their supporting structures, and partly to the fact htat in this condition the muscular power of the intestines themselves is weak. The symptoms consist of dragging sensations in the abdomen, which are worse on standing up and specially after standing up all day. There is often some pain and a feeling of fullness after meals, and sometimes the patient feels sick. It occurs more commonly in women than in men. • In treating this condition there are a number of objects in view. (1) Avoid those things that tend to overload and weigh down the stomach and intestines. (2; Strengthen the structure that support these organs in position and (3) increase the muscular power of these organs themselves.

First, as regards (1): Do not fill yourself up with enormous indigestible meals. You want to eat plenty of nutritious food; but avoid very large meals and bulky foods like porridge, soups, and excess of bread, cakes, potatoes. Secondly, rest after meals and, above all, avoid constipation.

As regards (2) : If you are a thin person and do not eat enough try to put on weight by eating more —thus will you increase the support of your internal organs by surrounding them with cushions of fat. Strengthen the muscles of the abdominal wall; do this by exercises and by massage. In addition, you may be able to assist these muscles by wearing for support a binder or belt, taking care that it presses from below upwards and not from above downwards. Finally, as regards (3) : You will strengthen the muscles of the organs tliemselves by getting yourself generally fit. Get fresh air and reasonable walking exercise and take plenty of rest and sleep. Try to avoid worrying about things in general, but particularly try to forget the troubles-—so often exaggerated by the imagination—of your inside.