Stomach discomfort can have many causes, but there are two overall varieties. The first is a chronic, long-term stomach ailment that seems to recur regardless of what you've been eating. This condition can be serious and should only be treated by doctor. However, temporary discomfort can usually be prevented by paying more attention to your diet, and relieved with simple home remedies.
If you find that you are suffering from stomach discomfort on a fairly regular basis, start by keeping track of your diet and finding links. Different foods sometimes bother different people, so there may be some trial and error involved. Pepper -- both red and black -- is a common gastrointestinal irritant, so passing on the pepper may improve your digestion. Chilies and other spicy food additives only bother some people, so you may not need to give up these flavors if you're a fan of spicy food.
Foods that are hard to digest are often the culprit, so cut back on fats. And, although green vegetables are an important part of any diet, certain vegetables, namely broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts, can lead to gas and other stomach woes, so try cutting back on them. As for fruit, apples and melons are sometimes problematic for sensitive stomachs. If you eat beans frequently, discard the water you've soaked them in and cook them in fresh water; canned beans should be rinsed thoroughly before heating. And a high-fiber diet is generally beneficial; whole grains are easy to digest.
As for liquids, many people are lactose intolerant and have trouble digesting milk. Milk can often cause bloating, cramping, and gas. Likewise, coffee and alcohol tend to irritate the stomach lining. The best liquid you can drink is water, and plenty of it -- six to eight glasses per day.
Take a look at your medications, too; your body may just take time to adapt to a new medication, but if your stomach problems persist, trying lowering the dosage. Laxatives are one medication to watch out for; increasing your bran intake is a more natural solution to constipation, and is easier on the stomach. If you take aspirin or ibuprofen, these might cause stomach irritation and even ulcers; choose acetaminophen or enteric-coated aspirin to be safer.
Other than bran and high fibers, various foods can help improve your digestion and relieve stomach discomfort. Caraway seeds are commonly eaten in the Middle East as an after-meal digestive; you can simply chew on these seeds after you eat, or make tea by mixing 1 teaspoon of seeds with a cup of boiling water. Cover the cup and let it stand for ten minutes; strain and drink. You can drink three cups of caraway tea per day if you have stomach discomfort, but it's best on an empty stomach. Fennel seeds may work as well as caraway. Likewise, cinnamon helps facilitate digestion; you can make cinnamon tea by mixing a half-teaspoon of cinnamon powder with a cup of hot water.
Ginger tea is effective as a remedy, particularly if you also feel nausea; ginger aids in digestive flow, helping your body absorb nutrients. A half-teaspoon of ground ginger mixed into a cup of hot water makes for a good drink; you may have to strain the ginger if it is not finely ground. Mint and thyme are two herbs that are often associated with helping relieve upsets stomachs; you can make tea out of either.
You can mix your own antacid with simple baking soda: mix a half-teaspoon of baking soda with a half glass of water. However, because baking soda is a sodium compound (sodium bicarbonate), you should not use this remedy if you have high blood pressure or are on a sodium-restricted diet. Bland foods such as crackers can also help calm down stomach acids.
If you've simply eaten too much, having a carbonated beverage can help settle your stomach. Stick with a non-caffeinated variety such as ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. The carbonation causes you to burp, thus relieving a bloated stomach. And if your stomach ailment is accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea, you are losing potassium and other nutrients; fruit juices can help restore these nutrients to your body.
There are many reasons why people get stomach aches, but if your condition is not too severe, one of these quick remedies should bring you relief.
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