HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 November 1943, Page 4

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

HOW’S YOUR DIGESTION

SOME FUNDAMENTAL RULES

OF EATING

(By the Department of Health)

How’s your digestion? Are you one of those fortunate people who can eat anything and not worry about aftereffects, or are you one of those who is constantly “troubled with indigestion,” to use a commonly-used expression? This business of being “troubled with indigestion” has a much greater significance than some people are apt to attach to it. They go on just being troubled with it, and resorting to temporary measures that have only a temporary effect so long as they get relief, everything is fine. But it isn’t. Chronic indigestion is an indication of some serious organic disturbance. It is not a disease in itself —it is merely a warning that something is wrong somewhere and wants putting right. And self diagnosis and self-medication are two sure ways of making things worse -—they are generally worse than doing nothing at all. There are four well-known fundamental rules of eating: Eat sensible food and eat it slowly at regular times; ehew the food well; drink plenty of water; rest awhile' after meals. If you follow these as much as you can, then you won’t be troubled much with indigestion. If you still suffer distress, then go to your doctor, bearing in mind that the pain you suffer may be caused by heart disease; it may mean appendicitis; or it may signal cancer or gall bladder troubles. Your doctor can generally find out just what is the trouble. Leave it to him. Don’t go on being “troubled digestion —as indigestion.