When we talk about an upset stomach, it would be more correct to refer to it as intestinal upsetsince most of the food is digested in the intestine.
Intestinal discomfort and its homemade solution
Let’s find out what factors alter digestion and how to deal with heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and colic.
1. Acidity and heartburn
Heartburn is an unpleasant burning sensation in the breastbone, sometimes accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth and belching. It’s normal to experience heartburn after a large holiday dinner, but if you have constant burning sensation in the esophagusYou should see a gastroenterologist.
Factors that cause it
During heartburn, the contents of the stomach partially back up into the esophagus. Persistent heartburn is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can be accompanied by gastritis, gastroduodenitis, peptic ulcer, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, dysbiosis and other pathologies.
However, do not rush to diagnose yourself. Since this burning sensation can also occur after:
- Drink coffee;
- Smoking cigarettes
- Drink soda;
- Drink alcohol;
- Eat fatty meat;
- Consume dry snacks;
- Eat rough food;
- Spicy dishes;
- Drink fruit juice.
Being overweight and pregnant can also cause heartburn.
How to relieve heartburn discomfort
To prevent gastric acid from being backed up into the esophagus, it is best not to lie down, jump or bend over for a couple of hours after eating. It’s also important to eat well to maintain your microbiome and avoid overeating or eating spicy foods.
During a heartburn it is best to avoid drinking milk and soft drinks. To get rid of heartburn at home, you can use antacids, which relieve this discomfort instantly and safely.
For persistent heartburn, a gastroenterologist may prescribe proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 blockers. These slow down the production of hydrochloric acid by the cells of the stomach.
If heartburn plagues you constantly, you should contact a gastroenterologist and have an endoscopy of the stomach (EGD); this procedure will show with certainty whether the mucous membrane is inflamed.
two. Inflammation and swelling
The bloating is due to flatulence. Because of these, the stomach swells, increases in volume, and becomes hard. Sometimes there can be a movement of gases in the intestines, causing a rumbling sound. When there is a lot of gas in the intestines, it is difficult and even painful to retract the belly.
Bloating Triggers
It is normal for there to be small amounts of gas in the intestines. If the bloating is noticeable to you and others, interferes with physical activity and causes discomfort, then this is already excessive gas formation.
A common cause of bloating is eating a lot of junk food and avoiding whole foods and vegetables. Consuming a combination of hamburger, fries and soda can cause stomach heaviness, fermentation and constipation as it does not contain enough enzymes and fiber that promote digestion.
There is also a reverse cause of swelling: food intolerance. Many plant and dairy products contain FODMAP carbohydrates, which feed bacteria in the colon and cause gas, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome.
How to relieve this discomfort
If you have severe bloating, it’s best to get up and move around to help the gas out of your intestines. Staying seated or lying down will only make the condition worse.; in these positions, the intestines are squeezed. During the time you suffer from this discomfort, it is best to wear loose and comfortable clothing.
Simethicone preparations, which “burst” gas bubbles in the intestine, will help relieve this inflammation. Peppermint tea and other hot beverages can also reduce discomfort.
If you eat healthy but still suffer from inflammation, try to identify your trigger foods using the FODMAP diet and exclude them from your menu.
3. constipationeither
The retention of stool for more than two days is known as constipation. It is usually accompanied by a feeling of lack of excretion and heaviness in the abdomen. During constipation, the stool becomes denser, you have to push hard and for a long time. Constipation can be temporary or chronic.
Factors that cause it
The lack of fiber and water in the diet makes the stool hard and makes it more difficult to go to the bathroom. The situation is further complicated by leading a sedentary lifestyle, in which peristalsis slows down.
Stress, depression, the side effects of certain medications, and related illnesses can also cause constipation.
How to relieve constipation
Natural laxatives include prunes, flaxseed, psyllium (psyllium husks), and prebiotics (inulin, lactulose). Caffeine also stimulates peristalsis.
It is better to avoid preparations with senna extract and other popular recipes: they are very strong, can irritate the intestinal receptors and force you to “evacuate” the content. As a result, constipation will turn into diarrhea with pain and burning.
Preparations based on sodium or bisacodyl picosulfate have a milder action, but have the same properties. Some milder variants are the macrogol and prucaloprid. But all laxatives must be used as directed by a doctor.
But it’s always best to prevent constipation in the first place: eat a variety of fiber (fruits, vegetables, herbs, legumes, and mushrooms), eat regularly and at about the same time, drink more water.
Fiber absorbs water: stool passes more easily through the digestive tract. It is also important to move more during the day and not resist the urge to go to the bathroom.
Four. Diarrhea
When you have diarrhea, you have to go to the bathroom more than three times a day, and your stools become liquid, formless, and often contain undigested food particles. In this case, the body loses water and electrolytes. Also, there are distinctions between acute and chronic diarrhea.
Factors that cause diarrhea
The main causes of diarrhea are food poisoning and intestinal infections. There is also diarrhea caused by travel to new places: it is caused by ingesting E. coli species that are new to the body.
Loose stools can be the result of dysbiosis. When pathogenic bacteria take over beneficial bacteria, the intestinal lining and its ability to digest food and synthesize vitamins are impaired. In addition, many gases are formed that interfere with the normal formation of feces.
Chronic diarrhea often affects people with irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, intestinal inflammation, pancreatitis, folate deficiency anemia, or lactose intolerance. Also, the cause of regular diarrhea can be a alteration of the intestinal microflora.
How to relieve this discomfort
You should drink plenty of water and take sorbents in gel form: these bind and remove toxic substances from the body more efficiently than activated charcoal. Medications such as loperamide inhibit peristalsis but do not solve the problem, so they can only be relied upon in an emergency. If the diarrhea lasts a day or more, you should restore the water-salt balance with rehydrating agents.
If you suspect a rotavirus infection, don’t take antibiotics on your own; sorbents will suffice. If the diarrhea persists after 4 to 5 days, call your doctor. You should do the same if diarrhea is accompanied by fever, vomiting or blood in the stool.
5. Stomach ache
When we refer to stomach pain, we generally talk about the colic and cramps. These can be barely noticeable or literally make us feel like our stomach is being twisted. In this case, the abdomen is usually swollen or tense. It is because of these colic that babies often wake up and cry.
Factors that cause it
One of the possible reasons is flatulence. Excess gas stretches the intestinal wall and thus causes pain as it moves along the tract. People with sensitive intestines are especially susceptible to this pain.
Also, the stomach can hurt due to stress or disruption of our daily routinein which we often tend to snack chaotically or endure hunger, and then gorge ourselves at the end of the night.
Another reason is inflammation of the intestinal mucosa caused by intestinal flu or other infection. Colic and cramps can also be due to a chronic disease such as gastroparesis, Crohn’s disease, or liver damage.
In infants, there can be various causes of colic: a developing microflora, a lack of enzymes, increased intestinal sensitivity, intolerance to the formula, swallowing air.
How to relieve this discomfort
This pain can be relieved by the use of antispasmodics, completely or selectively relaxing the smooth muscles of the intestine. Putting a warm heating pad on the stomach can also help, but only if the cause of the stomach pain and not the inflammation is known. When a baby experiences colic, parents should keep a record of the baby’s colic and nutrition to establish the cause.
If the pain is accompanied by other symptoms of digestive disorders, contact your gastroenterologist immediately.
These digestive problems can be solved by changing the content of your diet. The right foods will help improve the composition of the microflora and relieve discomfort.