Flu Portland Oregon
Stomach Upset
“We try to separate out the temporary ‘I ate too much pizza’ from the long-term,” says Sherman Hess, B.S., R.Ph., a pharmacist in Portland, Oregon, who has guided many a gastronomically upset customer to the antacid shelf. Temporary stomach upset may be due to indigestion or flu. Often, it’s the result of something-or the quantity of something you ate. Here are some tips that can help you.
Try Some Soda : Soda pop, particularly 7-Up and other noncaffeinated varieties, helps to settle stomachs, says Hess.
Take Fruit Juice For Flu : If you have the flu, with diarrhea and vomiting, fruit juice will help resupply the potassium and other nutrients your body has lost.
Don’t Count on Milk : Douglas C. Walta, M.D., a gastroenterologist in Portland, Oregon, says milk often hinders rather than helps stomachs because some people can’t digest it easily. “Milk is probably the biggest contributor to gut upset that I see in the population over 30,” he says.
Ease Off on Coffee : Coffee may irritate the stomach. “It’s controversial whether it’s the acid or the caffeine or both,” says Walta.
Hold Off on The Booze : Alcohol also is an irritant to the stomach lining, Walta says.
Lighten up on Pepper : Red and black pepper are frequently identified as gastrointestinal irritants, says Kimra Warren, R.D., a registered dietitian at St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Try cutting back to see if your symptoms improve. If they don’t, then pepper isn’t your problem.
Don’t Smoke : Walta notes that smoking is often associated with ulcers. Cigarette smoke is a gastrointestinal irritant.
Watch Your Diet : Do your stomach a favor and eat foods that are easy to digest. David M. Taylor, M.D., a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta and the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, says the stomach has a tough time with fatty, fried foods. “A high-carbohydrate, low-fat, high-bulk diet is the best thing,” he says.
Increase Fiber Gradually : A high-fiber diet is good for your health, but don’t go too high too fast. A gradual change of diet, with a slow but continual addition of fiber, will help to offset tolerance problems.
Choose Veggies Carefully : You may love broccoli, but if you have a problem with gas, perhaps you should cut back, suggests Warren. Too much of certain gassy vegetables, namely broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts, can be a problem.
Limit Problematic Fruits : Some people get tummy problems from eating apples and melon. Pay attention to whether your stomach upset followed eating one of these. If so, skip them.
Worry About The Quantity, Not Quality : Walta says it’s a myth that hot, spicy foods create stomach problems. So go ahead and eat spicy food. Just don’t overload your stomach.
Cook Gasless Beans : Warren says if you throw out the water in which you’ve soaked the beans over night, and cook them in fresh water, you’ll significantly decrease their gas-causing potential.
Think About Your Diet : Problem foods can be very individualistic. Identify the foods that you are sensitive to, then avoid them.
Exercise Your Body : “Exercise is very helpful,” says Taylor. Even a brief walk, particularly after meals, may aid in digestion and help you feel better.
Drink Plenty of Water : Nutritionists recommend six to eight glasses of water a day to help with digestion.
Avoid Laxatives : If you have constipation, it’s better to avoid laxatives, says Taylor. Instead, go the more natural route and take bran or a commercial bulking agent such as Metamucil.
Layoff The Aspirin : Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can actually create ulcers. “What causes ulcers to bleed is aspirin,” says Walta. If you have a sensitive stomach but you need pain relief, try acetaminophen or enteric-coated aspirin.
Take an Antacid : Antacids are very effective in soothing stomachs, but they can have side effects. For example, magnesium-based antacids can cause diarrhea, while calcium-based antacids can cause constipation. Antacids with aluminum hydroxide also can cause constipation.
Switch Brands : Sometimes, a different brand of antacid may prove to be more effective.
Don’t Take an Antacid Too Long : Side effects from antacid use usually don’t appear unless a person has taken the medication for several days. But if the problem has persisted that long, it’s time to call the doctor.
Try an Antacid in Tablet Form : Hess suggests taking an antacid in tablet form because the dose is lower than in liquid preparations and there fore may not contribute to constipation or diarrhea.
Relax : After disease is ruled out as the cause of stomach discomfort, the underlying culprit often turns out to be stress. Stress frequently translates in to physical problems. Along the gastrointestinal tract, these problems can include indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and diarrhea.
The Cure : Unwind. Relax. Enjoy yourself. Taylor says he recommends “hobbies, running or tennis or hiking or karate, or communing with nature, or sex, or whatever” to patients whose stomach troubles seem to be stress related. He says one of the most effective prescriptions is to take a trip. “They come back and say, ‘Gee, doc, it’s remarkable. I went away skiing and now I don’t have any trouble.
About the Author
Michael Russell writes for http://www.diseases-treatment.com. Get information and facts about diseases and ailments with tips about the treatment and prevention of disease
Swine Flu Colloidal Silver Gun Show Exhibit Portland Oregon
Mail this post