(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Twenty minutes after you have gotten up from a big dinner with the family, you feel it, gastric distress.  More than 5 million Americans will have this same feeling. Researchers are looking into ways to prevent that unpleasant feeling with a few “quick fixes.”

 

 “Even though most of us experience stomach trouble from time to time such as heartburn, nausea, bloating, belching, and gas – most common stomach problems can be prevented.  Some important factors are your diet, stress level, and lifestyle preferences related to exercise, drinking alcohol or smoking,” Dr. Adam Gorelick of Western Connecticut Medical Group was quoted saying. 

 

 If you’re prone to heartburn or acid indigestion, avoid whole-milk dairy products, fatty foods, chocolate, nuts, tomato products, mint, citrus juices and caffeinated beverages.  Alcohol consumption can interfere with digestion by increasing stomach acids and decreasing production of pancreatic enzymes needed to break down foods. 

 

If you are plagued by gas, avoid high-fiber foods like peas, beans and bran, but don’t eliminate these healthful options from your diet: simply eat them in small amounts to help your digestive system adjust.  Other gas promoters include carbonated beverages and chewing gum.

 

Additional tactics to reduce stomach upset include quitting smoking, losing excess weight and avoiding tight clothing – which both put pressure on the digestive tract, causing gastric acids to back up into the esophagus.

Exercise and relaxing meditation can also help keep your digestive system calm and working properly.  After a meal, give your digestive system a head start before going to bed or embarking on vigorous exercise.  If symptoms persist, see your doctor.  It’s not normal to have constant stomach upset.

 

Source: Western Connecticut Health Network, December 2012

 

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