Good food and habits against stomach pain

The common name for various digestive problems that occur in the upper part of the digestive system is dyspepsia. It is estimated that slightly more than a third of people suffer from such problems. At the same time, about 50 percent of dyspeptic patients have damage to the upper part of the gastrointestinal system, most often erosive gastritis or peptic ulcer of the stomach and/or duodenum, while the remaining 50 percent of patients do not have such changes.

Dyspepsia means discomfort after a meal or pain localized in the upper part of the abdomen. Most often, it is a functional disorder of the upper part of the digestive system.

Symptoms of this condition are pain, burning, feeling of discomfort and nausea in the stomach, feeling of pressure and bloating, feeling of fullness even after small amounts of food, loss of appetite, belching and increased gas release, return of stomach contents into the esophagus (so-called reflux) or nausea that can be followed by vomiting.

Several risk factors for the occurrence of dyspepsia are known, namely smoking, excessive and long-term consumption of alcoholic beverages, excessive coffee intake (more than four cups a day), inadequate diet (rich in fat, spicy food, starvation and irregular diet), obesity, exposure to stress, use of certain drugs (non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs, antibiotics, estrogens), but also the presence of some other diseases (diabetes, thyroid and kidney diseases, weakened heart function, pulmonary tuberculosis, malignant diseases) and infection with Helicobacter pylori.

Food is the most important thing

Eating habits and food choices play a significant role in the occurrence, therapy and prevention of numerous gastrointestinal disorders. In many cases, proper nutrition helps establish better digestion as it reduces pain and discomfort.

It is recommended to stop smoking, reduce excess body weight and daily food intake with an emphasis on low-fat and not too spicy food, and distribute the daily intake into several smaller meals.

It is recommended to use olive oil as a source of fat and regular intake of fermented milk products (yogurt, acidophilus, kefir).

Aloe vera, bee products and medicinal herbs can also be helpful.

Food and habits reduce pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter and favor reflux. That's why you should avoid fried and fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, garlic, onions and smoking. Also, some foods can irritate or damage the esophagus, so they should also be avoided. These are citrus fruits and citrus juices, tomato products, red pepper, chili and pepper.

People with stomach problems should not lie down after a meal, especially if the meal was large and rich in fat and protein. Abundant meals rich in fats and proteins stimulate the abundant secretion of gastric juices and slow down the emptying of the stomach. That is why these patients are advised to eat meat, dairy products and eggs in moderation three hours before going to bed.

Good fats

And omega-3 fatty acids have shown a protective effect, so the diet of these patients should include plenty of fish, especially species from the northern seas, such as cod, salmon, tuna and swordfish.

Yogurt is important

Fermented dairy products contain probiotics that restore balance in the intestinal system. Lactobacillus acidophilus in in vitro studies had a bactericidal effect on Helicobacter pylori, scientists note.

Teas that help

In folk medicine, teas made from marshmallow or flax, chamomile, fennel, yarrow, yarrow and mint, as well as wormwood and dandelion are most often used in the treatment of ailments in the upper part of the digestive system.

In situations of more difficult treatment of H. pylori, medicinal plants are used, such as sage, St. John's wort, thyme, lavender, anise and wormwood, because these plants have a bactericidal effect on H. pylori with their essential oils.

These foods should be avoided:

Fatty foods, chocolate, garlic and onions are triggers for stomach pain, which can also be caused by citrus fruits and spices such as chili and pepper.

Eliminate from your diet everything that has the sign of 'pre' - spicy, salty, sour, cold, hot - because you will quickly irritate your stomach again. Also avoid raw food, which is much more difficult to digest and thus worsens the symptoms.

Warm compresses can help

If you are more often 'caught' by stomach pain, apart from medication, you can relieve it with warm compresses.

Soak a towel in hot water, wring it out, lie down and place it on the painful area. Cover the compress with a blanket and try to relax. Heat relaxes muscles, increases circulation, reduces bloating and soothes pain.

A+ blood type is more prone to stomach cancer

Chronic gastritis is a long-term inflammation of the stomach lining and in 70 percent of cases it is caused by Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that can ultimately lead to stomach cancer. Scientific research has shown that blood group A+ is more prone to stomach cancer than other groups.

GERD or reflux

If you suffer from chest pain, you may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, which occurs after stomach contents back up into the esophagus, mouth, and airways. This most often happens while lying down or while bending over. GERD is characterized by chest pain and easily decaying teeth.