Tummy ache? Massive diarrhea? Uncontrollable gas? Here are 10 of the most common stomach problems, and advice from the pros on how to fix 'em.
Stop DiarrheaThe cause: A very common cause of diarrhea is mild food poisoning. And of course, we've all heard of—or experienced firsthand—Montezuma's revenge: Traveling overseas can often bring on bouts of loose bowel movements, primarily because your body has to adjust to the new bacteria in the food and water you're consuming while away from home.
The quick fix: For food poisoning, there is no fix other than the passage of time. "You need to let your body flush itself of the toxins," says Amit Bhan, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
If diarrhea strikes at a moment when heading to the bathroom is either inconvenient (like during an important meeting) or if it's so frequent that it keeps you from sleeping, Bahn recommends knocking back some Pepto-Bismol. The pink liquid is a remedy that will attack the diarrhea-causing bacteria in your system so you can sleep and function during the day. If you're traveling overseas, take Imodium, which works by slowing down the speed at which fluids move through your intestines.
Fight FartsThe cause: Though many of us try to stop or just hide our gas, it's actually one sign of a healthy body. According to Michael Wolfe, M.D., chief of gastroenterology at Boston University's School of Medicine, gas is caused by two things: eating gas-forming foods such as green vegetables, fruits with peels on them, carbonated beverages, cabbage, and beans; or swallowing air. "People [take in extra air] when they drink with straws, talk with their mouths full, or eat too fast, or when they're nervous," Wolfe says.
The quick fix: If you have a gas problem, take an over-the-counter anti-gas drug like Mylanta Gas. Beano, Wolfe says, is another good product, especially if veggies aren't friendly to your system. Beano works by breaking down raffinose, a sugar byproduct in plants that can be a bugger for many people to digest.
Ease CrampsThe cause: Sure, you expect cramps around the time of your period, but what about the monthly rounds of nausea, upset stomach, and diarrhea?
Nancy Cossler, an obstetrician and gynecologist at University Hospital's Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, says it's pretty normal for your whole abdominal region to go haywire around the time you're menstruating.
"Hormones cause contractions of the uterine muscle, which causes cramping," she says. "It's completely normal if your stomach cramps, causing an upset stomach or diarrhea [around your period]."
The quick fix: To ease cramps and lessen bleeding, take an Advil or Ibuprofen 12 to 24 hours before you're expecting your period, Cossler says. Then take the prescribed amount every three to six hours for three days.
Banish BloatingThe cause: No one likes feeling two to five pounds heavier—especially when it means no longer fitting into skinny jeans. Though annoying, bloating is not a huge cause for alarm.
"Don't be too worried about [bloating]," says David C. Metz, M.D., a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "Anything from menstruation to constipation can cause it."
The quick fix: Try to stay away from salt, since it makes you retain water, and avoid foods that cause gas—such as beans, broccoli, and cauliflower. As long as you've ruled out lactose intolerance, try eating yogurt with "live and active cultures" (look for this phrase on the label), which can help regulate your digestive system.
Rid Yourself of RefluxThe cause: "This condition often hits at night, when you're in the lying-down position," says Minh Nguyen, M.D., of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Reflux occurs when acid travels from the stomach to the esophagus and throat; unlike heartburn, it can give you pain in your chest, a sore throat, or bouts of coughing.
The quick fix: Nguyen recommends a prescription medicine or an over-the-counter antacid like Prilosec. If you don't want to rely on drugs, cut back on the known provocateurs: drinking, smoking, and eating late at night.
Never Be NauseatedThe cause: If you've ruled out pregnancy, you don't have to be stuck with an upset stomach.
The quick fix: A simple cure may be waiting for you in your spice rack: Ginger root has a long history of being used successfully as a cure for an upset stomach. The reason ginger works so well for digestion has never been precisely identified, but some say it works by speeding up the pace at which food moves into the small intestine from the stomach.
"[When] I've eaten too much and feel nauseated, I'll have ginger tea to soothe my stomach," says Charlene Prather, M.D., an associate professor of gastroenterology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. It's really easy to make—I just grate fresh ginger in water and add a little honey and it takes care of it," she says.
Knock Out HeartburnThe cause: Unruly stomach acid backing up into your throat. Eating spicy foods before bed is a common culprit, as are eating too much or too fast, smoking, and imbibing heavily. But sometimes nearly anything can make you feel the burn.
The quick fix: "When I have heartburn, I drink a glass of milk," says Jeffry A. Katz, M.D., a gastroenterologist at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland. "Milk neutralizes the acid produced by the stomach," he says.
Ease After-Eating PainThe cause: eating too fast or too much, or eating the wrong thing.
The quick fix: Cut out fast food, and eat more slowly. If you're not a junk-food junkie and are still feeling pain after a meal, you could have gallbladder disease. "Women more often than men get it, and some get gall stones for no reason," says Francisco Marrero, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic. See your doctor for further treatment.
Curb ConstipationThe cause: According to the experts, one of the biggest stomachmyths is that you have to go number two three times a day to have healthy bowels. The truth? Everybody poops, but not with the same frequency.
Constipation is very common in women, says Irwin Grosman, M.D., gastroenterology chief at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn. "There's a theory that there's a hormonal difference between men and women and [that] women take longer to digest and eliminate food."
The quick fix: If you don't go every day, don't sweat it. And if you're experiencing other stomach symptoms of constipation, such as bloating or gas, the simplest thing you can do is increase your fiber intake. Eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans, and kick-start your day with a high-fiber cereal. Inactivity can sometimes cause constipation, too. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise per day, and keep yourself hydrated.
Hunger PangsThe cause: The digestive system's natural contractions are felt more severely on an empty stomach. Without food, the stomach becomes a sort of gastric echo chamber. Hunger pangs serve a handy purpose: They're like a text message from the stomach to the brain indicating that it's time to pursue nourishment.
The quick fix: Eat. But beware: In rare cases an achy stomach could also indicate more than hunger. "Sometimes people sense a burning pain that gets better when you eat," says Mark Babyatsky, M.D., a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "That could be an ulcer. If it persists, see a physician. If you've always had it, it could be just your appetite," he says. Babyatsky advises that you stay full by eating more small meals throughout the day.
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Reminder: If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, see your doctor immediately: blood in your stool, rectal bleeding, paleness, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, yellowing of the eyes, severe abdominal pain, and/or severe nausea and vomiting
This article was originally published by Erin Hicks at womenshealthmag.com
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