Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Soothe the symptoms
• Method 2 of 4: Adjust your diet
• Method 3 of 4: Make lifestyle changes
• Method 4 of 4: See a doctor
• Warnings

Poor digestion can thoroughly ruin a good meal. You get digestive upset when your stomach acid irritates the tissue in your stomach, esophagus, or intestines. You may feel bloated in your stomach, feel nauseous, and feel uncomfortably full. In addition, poor digestion can even cause pain and a burning sensation in your stomach. There are several things you can do to remedy poor digestion when it affects you.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Soothe the symptoms

1. Recognize poor digestion. In most cases, these are minor problems that can be treated at home. However, if you have very poor digestion or extreme discomfort, then you should see a doctor to make sure nothing more serious is going on. The symptoms include:
   • Nausea. Some people even vomit.
   • A bloated or uncomfortably full feeling in the abdomen.
   • Pain or burning in the stomach, intestines or esophagus.
2. Take an antacid. These drugs are over-the-counter and neutralize the acid in your stomach so that it becomes less acidic. This means that the acid is less irritating to the tissue in your digestive tract.
   • Take an antacid right away if you notice symptoms. If you regularly experience digestive problems after dinner, take one tablet immediately after eating and, if necessary, another before going to sleep. In general, antacids are effective for 20 minutes to several hours.
   • You can buy antacids at the local pharmacy. Follow the instructions on the package and in the package insert and do not take more of the medicine than recommended. Consult a doctor in advance if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a child.
3. Add an alginate. These substances create foam that floats in your stomach and prevents stomach acid from flowing into your esophagus.
   • Alginates are more effective if you take them after a meal. That means they stay in your stomach longer and work at the times when you have the most stomach acid.
   • Some antacids also contain an alginate. Read the information on the packaging and in the package leaflet to see if this is the case with the medicine you have obtained. If you are pregnant, nursing, or treating a child, ask a doctor if these remedies are safe.
4. Use a home remedy. There are several well-known foods and other household remedies that can soothe digestive symptoms. These methods have not been scientifically researched, but some people say they work effectively. Check with your doctor before using any herbal remedies or dietary supplements to make sure they will not interact with other medications you are taking. You can try the following remedies:
   • Milk will coat the lining of your esophagus and stomach to protect the tissue from your stomach acid.
   • Eating a bowl of oatmeal will help absorb some of the excess stomach acid.
   • Peppermint tea can help calm your intestines and reduce nausea.
   • STW5 is a food supplement that contains bitter crooked flour, peppermint, caraway and licorice root. The drug is believed to reduce the production of stomach acid.
   • Artichoke leaf extract can reduce digestive symptoms by increasing the amount of bile.
   • Ginger can help calm your stomach and reduce nausea. You can take ginger by making a tea, eating ginger candies, or drinking ginger beer. If you choose to drink ginger ale, let it beaten to death first so that the carbon dioxide doesn't make your digestive symptoms worse.
5. Ask your doctor about stronger medicines. Some of these medications are over-the-counter while others require a prescription. However, you should discuss these medications with your doctor before trying them. This is very important if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a child. There are several medications you can try:
   • Proton pump inhibitors are drugs that cause your body to produce less acid. However, they can interact with other medications used to treat epilepsy or prevent thrombosis. In addition, they can cause side effects, including headache, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, gas, stomach discomfort, dizziness and rash. Proton pump inhibitors can also cause your body to absorb less iron and vitamin B12.
   • H2 receptor antagonists are drugs that make your stomach acid less acidic. They are often used when antacids, alginates, and proton pump inhibitors do not work effectively. These are very safe drugs with few side effects.
   • Antibiotics are prescribed if your digestive problems are caused by an infection with the H. pylori bacteria.
   • Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can soothe the pain caused by your indigestion.

Method 2 of 4: Adjust your diet

1. Eat fewer foods that often cause digestive problems. Foods that often cause poor digestion include:
   • Fatty foods that are heavy on the stomach, such as fast foods.
   • Spicy food. This is especially true if you usually eat bland foods.
   • Chocolate
   • Carbonated drinks such as soda
   • Caffeine, including drinking too much coffee or tea.
2. Drink less alcohol. Drinking alcohol causes your body to produce more stomach acid, making it more likely that the acid will irritate your digestive tract.
   • Combining alcohol with painkillers like aspirin can cause even more damage to your stomach.
3. Eat small meals more often. That way you won't saddle your stomach with more food than it can handle. This also prevents you from stretching your stomach, which can also be uncomfortable.
   • Try to eat five or six meals instead of three. You can do this by eating small meals between breakfast and lunch, as well as between lunch and dinner.
   • Eat slowly and chew your food well. Your food will be easier to digest.
4. Don't eat just before going to sleep. Eat your last meal at least three hours before going to sleep. This reduces the chance that excess stomach acid will flow into your esophagus.
   • When you go to sleep, place extra pillows under your head and shoulders. As a result, the acid will not flow so easily into your esophagus.

Method 3 of 4: Make lifestyle changes

1. Stop smoking. Smoking can damage the muscle that prevents the acid from your stomach from flowing into your esophagus. This muscle can become weaker, so that you get heartburn more quickly.
   • The chemicals in cigarette smoke can also cause digestive upset.
2. Reduce stress. Stress can make you more prone to digestive upset. Try using common relaxation techniques to control your stress. Many people use one or more of the following techniques:
   • Meditation
   • Deep breathing exercises
   • Yoga
   • Visualizing soothing images
   • Progressive muscle relaxation, where you tighten and then relax the different muscle groups in your body
3. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts pressure on your stomach. You can maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet.
   • Aim for 75 to 150 minutes of aerobic exercise every week, including running, walking, cycling, swimming, or exercising. Exercise can also help control stress.
   • Eat a healthy diet that includes lean meats, low-fat dairy, whole grain bread, and multiple servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
   • Women can usually lose weight safely with a diet of 1,200 to 1,500 calories. Men can generally lose weight by eating 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day. This allows you to lose about half a kilo per week. Do not try more extreme diets unless supervised by a doctor.
4. Think about the medications you are taking. Do not stop or take any other medications without first discussing this with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to recommend an alternative medicine that will not make your digestive symptoms worse.
   • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as asprine, ibuprofen and naproxen can make your digestive symptoms worse.
   • Nitrates, taken to widen blood vessels, can make you more likely to develop reflux disease. This happens because they can weaken the muscle that closes your stomach from your esophagus.
   • If it is not possible to take other medications, your doctor may recommend that you take your medications with food.

Method 4 of 4: See a doctor

1. Recognize a heart attack. A heart attack must be met urgency treated by calling the emergency number. The following symptoms indicate heart complaints and not on digestive complaints:
   • Shortness of breath
   • To sweat
   • Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or arm
   • Pain in your left arm
   • Chest pain when you exercise or are stressed
2. Call your doctor right away if you have severe symptoms. Severe symptoms can indicate a more serious underlying condition. Please note the following:
   • Vomiting blood
   • Bloody, black, or tarry stools
   • Difficulty swallowing
   • Fatigue or anemia
   • Loss of appetite
   • Weight loss
   • A lump in your stomach
3. Get examined. Your doctor will examine you for other digestive disorders, such as:
   • Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
   • Stomach ulcers
   • Celiac disease
   • Gallstones
   • Constipation
   • Pancreatitis (pancreatitis)
   • Cancer of the digestive system
   • Bowel problems such as blockages or reduced circulation

Warnings

• Seek the advice of a doctor before taking any medications or herbal remedies if you are pregnant, nursing, or treating a child.
• Read and follow the directions on the packaging of all your medications unless your doctor tells you otherwise.