Avoiding unpleasant gas attacks just takes a little planning and some careful choices. Making educated decisions about what foods you eat, when and how you eat them and what you do after can make a huge difference in reducing stomach upset.
Don't count on milk. Milk often hinders rather than helps stomachs because many people can't digest it easily. Though many people think milk can soothe an aching tummy, it actually may do more harm than good. People who are lactose intolerant have trouble digesting milk and end up with bloating, gas, and cramping.
Ease up on coffee, alcohol, and smoking. They irritate the stomach lining. Even decaf coffee bothers some people. And if you smoke, you can add this to the very long list of reasons to quit.
Switch brands. Sometimes, a different brand of antacid may prove more effective than your old favorite.
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 your stomach problem has persisted that long, it's time to call the doctor.
Relax. Stress can cause or exacerbate gastrointestinal ailments such as indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and diarrhea. Relieve stress by reducing the commitments in your schedule, going on vacation, learning to meditate, exercising, or taking up a hobby.
Pass on pepper. Red and black pepper are frequently identified as gastrointestinal irritants, so try skipping these to see if your stomach feels better. As far as spices, limit these only if you are sometimes bothered by them. Some people can eat spicy foods without ever experiencing unpleasant side effects, and if you're one of them, depriving your taste buds probably won't help your stomach and so may be unnecessary.
Opt for less fat. If your stomach has been acting up, reach for foods that are easy to digest, such as whole grains and lean protein. Avoid foods that are fried or high in fat, which can cause or aggravate stomach upset.
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 your system adjust gradually.
Choose veggies carefully. You may love broccoli, but if you're having a problem with gas, cut back. Too much of certain gassy vegetables, namely broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts, can aggravate stomach woes. Cabbage and melons can also cause trouble.
Limit problematic fruits. Some people experience stomach discomfort from eating apples and melon. Pay attention to whether your stomach upset follows eating either of these. If so, you may need to choose other fruits instead to avoid upset.
Eat moderately. Take time to enjoy your meal and allow your food to digest properly. Stuffing your stomach can irritate it. But don't skip meals. It allows acid to build up in your stomach and can leave you with an aching tummy.
Cook gasless beans. If you throw out the water in which you've soaked the beans overnight, then cook them in fresh water, you'll significantly decrease their gas-causing potential. Rinsing canned beans also helps reduce gas.
Track your diet. If you have been experiencing temporary stomach upset fairly often, try keeping a food diary for a few weeks to see if you can identify any links. Different foods bother different people. If you can identify the foods that you seem to be sensitive to, you can limit or avoid them -- along with the trouble they cause you.
Exercise your body. Even a brief stroll, particularly after meals, may aid in digestion and help an overstuffed or crampy stomach feel better.
Drink plenty of water. Aim for six to eight glasses of water a day to keep your stomach and intestines running smoothly.
Check your calendar. Morning sickness is one possible cause of stomach upset in women who are capable of bearing children, so before you consider reaching for any medication or making any major changes in your diet to ease your stomach woes, you may want to be sure that pregnancy isn't the culprit.
Avoid laxatives. If constipation has your digestive system out of whack, go the more natural route and take bran or a commercial bulking agent such as Metamucil (with plenty of water) to get things moving again.
Lay off the aspirin. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can irritate the stomach and have been known to cause ulcers. Choose acetaminophen or enteric-coated aspirin instead and make sure you are aware of over-the-counter warnings for analgesics.
Investigate your medications. If you've recently started taking any new medication, whether prescription or over the counter, or increased the dose of your regular medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it could be causing your stomach upset. Many medications can trigger digestive discomfort, especially during the early days of treatment. A lower dose or different drug may be easier on your stomach, although it's possible that drug-related stomach upset will resolve on its own in a few days as your body adjusts to it.
Should you find that your precautions have failed to do the trick, there are a number of home remedies available to reduce your discomfort. Read on for some suggestions on calming that upset stomach.
