If you are a victim of heartburn, bloating, constipation, gas, bellyaches, or diarrhea don’t fret. There are ways to take care of these issues at home before contacting your physician. You will also learn when home remedies won’t solve your problem and when you should call the doctor.
For heartburn sufferers, cut down on the foods you eat that may trigger heartburn such as spicy, fried, and high-fat foods. Stay away from pizza sauce and products with tomato bases in them as well as citrus foods. The high acid content will cause flare-ups. Lighten up your intake of coffee, tea, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. Stay in a sitting position at least three hours after meals, as gravity will help the stomach acid from rising up through your esophagus. You may be able to find relief for mild heartburn with Tums or Rolaids. To prevent heartburn, Gaviscon will help coat the stomach’s contents in protective foam. If you have heartburn more than twice a week, consult your physician. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease.
If you suffer from bloating, you may want to log what you eat for a two week period to see if what you are eating is causing the problem. Dairy products, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, and high-fat foods can cause gas buildup. Try Lactaid or Beano first but if your bloating is accompanied with cramps, gas, and frequent diarrhea or constipation, you may have irritable bowel syndrome, which can be treated with a change in lifestyle and medication. If your bloating is a new symptom or particularly fierce, see your gynecologist. This may be an early sign of ovarian cancer.
For constipation, try drinking at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day to soften lumpy stools and help digest fiber. Try to get at least 20-35 grams of fiber a day, which can be found in beans, high-fiber breakfast cereals, fresh fruits, and veggies. Add 30 minutes of exercise three times per week to your weekly routine. Laxatives such as Metamucil and Colace and help with stubborn bowel movements as well. Consult your doctor if your symptoms are severe or last longer than two weeks, or result in hemorrhoids.
Bad bellyaches are for the birds. If you have gas, you may find relief by burping or passing gas. If your aches are caused from food poisoning, give your stomach a rest from food, drink lots of liquids, and lie down. This should help ease the pain. Ginger beer or soda can aid the nauseous symptoms. Peppermint tea can tame stomachaches as well. See your doctor if your pain is new, severe, or disabling. You may have appendicitis, gallstone disease, an ulcer or another gastrointestinal problem.
For diarrhea, drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Eat soups with sodium and broth bases to replace lost salts. Try foods like rice, bananas, toast and skinless baked chicken. Use antidiarrheal medicines like Immodium only when it’s an emergency. If you have a bacterial infection or parasite, the best treatment is to let it run its course. You may be suffering from Chrohn’s disease if you have a fever, severe abdominal pain, or black or bloody stools. Check with your doctor for treatment.
Gas can be embarrassing but everyone experiences it. You can cut down on the amount of air you take in by eating your meals slowly, drinking less carbonated drinks, and not using straws. Keep a flatulence diary to see if your diet is the cause of your excess gas production. Stay away from raw veggies, beans and legumes, and carbohydrates. Mylanta can help release gas. Don’t be afraid to discuss gas with your doctor. Your problem could be irritable bowel syndrome or you could have a food allergy.
To keep your stomach healthy, follow these tips to keep pain at bay. Always wash your hands before eating to cut down your chances of contracting food poisoning. Try to cut down on the stress factors in your life. Establish a regular exercise routine to keep your digestive system active.
