How to Care for the Stomach

Whether you have heartburn, nausea, stomachaches, gas or acid reflux, you can usually find relief from stomach problems through self-care. Before you see your doctor, try the steps below to see if you can find the relief you need.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Many stomach problems can be alleviated by giving up unhealthy foods. Even a healthy food can cause problems, however, so pay attention to your symptoms and give up anything that bothers you.

2. Give up your vices. Stop smoking and drinking caffeinated drinks. Both contribute to the formation of ulcers. One or two alcoholic drinks a day is okay if you don't already have stomach problems, but you should give up alcohol completely if you do.

3. Monitor your medications. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications can erode your stomach lining. Take acetaminophen rather than aspirin, naproxen, ketaprofin or ibuprofen.

4. Control stress. Many people experience stress as stomach upset.

5. See your doctor. If your attempts at relieving your stomach problems don't work, make an appointment with your doctor. Occasionally, stomach discomfort is a symptom of a life-threatening disease.

Tips & Warnings

• Stomach ulcers are sometimes caused by a bacteria. If you come into contact with someone infected by this bacteria, you can actually catch an ulcer. Fortunately, you can be cured with antibiotics.
• Despite what the TV commercials advise, don't use over-the-counter medications to deal with heartburn for more than a week or so before seeing your doctor. Persistent heartburn may be an indication that you have stomach cancer, the second-most-common type of cancer.
• If you suffer from vomiting and diarrhea, you may have viral gastroenteritis, a disease you can spread to others. See your doctor promptly for treatment.

Resources

• Learn about your symptoms and what to do about them at WebMD.

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