Gastric problems are the most common reasons you consult a doctor and take medications. Which type of gastric problem have you been suffering from, whether it's heartburn, indigestion, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, acidity, ulcers or nausea, generated from disruptions in the digestive system? These gastrointestinal woes can wreak havoc on your daily routine and keep you away from doing the things you enjoy. In this blog, we will learn about gastric problems, their causes, prevention and treatment.
Understanding Digestive Health & Gastric Problems:
Recognizing the impact of your lifestyle—including the foods you eat, the quantity you consume, your level of physical activity, the amount of stress you experience, and the medications you take—on your digestive health is imperative. Because the human digestive system is so adaptable, it can withstand a staggering amount of stress and poorly planned meals. Over time, though, an unhealthy diet, poor eating habits, stress and inactivity may take their toll. Heartburn, indigestion, gas, and abdominal pain are examples of occasional gastric problem symptoms that fall under the category of gastric problems. These symptoms of gastric problems can be alleviated by adopting a healthy lifestyle and using over-the-counter medications, but if they worsen, a visit to a gastroenterologist or doctor may be necessary.
However, more serious types of gastric problems such as peptic ulcers, gastritis (stomach lining inflammation), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Gastroenteritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may require medical intervention and long-term management.
People need to pay more attention to their digestive health and make necessary dietary and lifestyle changes to prevent these gastric problem symptoms from arising. Avoiding spicy foods, drinking plenty of water, and eating a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fibre can all significantly enhance digestive health and general well-being while reducing the production of too much gastric acid in the stomach. Regular exercise and stress management techniques can also play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
Gastric Problems Due to Excessive Stomach Acid
You might have heard about gastric acid or hydrochloric acid (HCl), an essential component formed in the stomach that plays a pivotal role in the digestion of food. Sometimes, the stomach produces an excess amount of gastric acid, which is not required for digestion. This results in gas and acidity build-up and leads to gastric problems. Some foods cause gas when you eat them.
Foods That Can Cause Gas in Stomach:
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Milk
- Dairy products
- Mushrooms
- Prunes
- Wheat
- Red meat
Symptoms of Gastric Problems
- Bloating
- Gas
- Hiccups
- Burping
- Heavy feeling in the stomach
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Ulcers
- Loss of appetite
- Heartburn
- Acidity
- Black stools
Chronic Gastric Problem Symptoms: Persistent gastric discomfort could indicate conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or ulcers. Seeking medical advice and making dietary changes can help alleviate symptoms of gastric problems and improve overall digestive health.
Causes of Gastric Problems
- Eating spicy foods, oily foods and heavy foods.
- Highly sugar-containing foods and lactose-intolerant foods result in bloating and abdominal pain.
- Drinking carbonated beverages increases bloating and gas.
- Consuming a low-fiber diet can lead to gastric problems.
- Eating a lot of meals at a time.
- Eating too fast.
- Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol.
- Smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption.
- Experiencing stress or anxiety.
- Faulty chewing habits and excessive talking while eating.
- An undigested food in the stomach.
- Gastritis, ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation and pancreatitis cause chronic gastric problems.
- Bacterial/viral infections like H. pylori infection can also be the cause of peptic ulcers or gastritis.
- The increasing age of people is the causing factor. They are more prone to gastric issues due to decreased efficiency of digestive function.
- Lack of physical activity slows down the digestion process, causing gastric problems.
- Overproduction of gastric acid can lead to gastritis.
- An imbalance in gut microbiota may lead to gas and indigestion.
- Medications such as aspirin, antibiotics, and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Long-Term Risks if Untreated
- Frequent acid reflux raises the risk of oesophageal cancer by causing Barrett's oesophagus or oesophagitis.
- Persistent bloating or discomfort may mask serious conditions like Crohn’s disease or gallstones.
How to Stop Gastric Problems?
By incorporating these few habits into your daily life, you can prevent or stop gastric problems in your stomach.
- Eating non-spicy or less spicy foods.
- Consume less sugar-containing food items or sugar-free food items.
- Avoid carbonated drinks.
- Avoid smoking and reduce your consumption of alcohol.
- Consuming high-fiber foods.
- Don't let the stomach be empty for a long time. This can lead to gas and acidity.
- Instead of eating a heavy meal, eat smaller meals at least three times a day at regular intervals without skipping them.
- Chew food slowly and avoid talking while eating.
- 7-8 hours of sleep is important for the proper functioning of the digestive system.
Dietary Changes to Manage Gastric Problems
As effective home remedies, you can incorporate the foods listed above into your daily routine for gastric problem treatment at home.
Foods to Include
- Probiotics: Yogurt helps restore gut-healthy bacteria.Certain probiotics with different brands are available in the market to reduce gastric problems.
- High-Fiber Foods: Oats, whole grains, and fruits like apples and bananas aid in digestion and prevent constipation.
- Citrus Fruit: Consuming lemon every day with a glass of water keeps the gastric problem at bay. Fruits that aid in digestion include grapefruits, oranges, and guavas.
- Non-Citrus Fruits: Cucumbers, papayas, and melons are easy on the stomach and do not cause acidity.
- Lean Proteins: Options like chicken, turkey, or fish are easier to digest.
- Herbal Teas: Teas with peppermint, ginger, and chamomile help to improve digestion and calm the stomach.
- Selected Spices: Given spices help reduce gastric problems in the stomach. Cumin water, carom seeds, fennel seeds, dry ginger powder, asafoetida, clove and cinnamon help improve the digestion process and relieve gastric troubles.
- Natural Ingredients: Mint leaves, ginger, and garlic. By strengthening the digestive system, these foods lower the risk of indigestion, bloating, stomach pain, nausea, and inflammation.
- Drinks and Juices: Aloe vera juice, water, coconut water, cold milk, and apple cider vinegar, these are the magical juice can help relieve bloating and gas in the stomach.
Treatment of Gastric Problems
If dietary and lifestyle modifications are ineffective, seek the advice of a gastroenterologist for diagnostic tests and prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for the treatment of gastric problems.
Diagnostic Tests: Like endoscopy, Helicobacter pylori testing, or food intolerance evaluations.
Medications:
Antacids: They provide immediate relief from acidity and heartburn and help neutralize stomach acid.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): To reduce acid production and gas relief (e.g., omeprazole and pantoprazole).
H2 blockers: H2 blockers help relieve and prevent gas, acidity or heartburn, reducing the amount of gastric acid in the stomach. H2 blockers are suggested for short-term use. They do not work for long-lasting effects.
Cure of Gastric Problems
By being proactive about your digestive health and combining natural home remedies, medical interventions, and dietary mindfulness, you can effectively manage gastric issues, improve your overall digestive health, avoid discomfort and illness, and live a better quality of life.
- Seeking guidance from a dietician for a personalized diet plan for managing gastric problems.
- Incorporating stress-reducing activities, such as mindfulness meditation or yoga, into daily routines to help decrease symptoms associated with gastric issues.
- Experiment with natural home remedies, such as herbal teas, probiotics, high-fiber foods, etc., to see if they can provide relief and improve overall digestive health.
- Frequent exercise is crucial for preserving gut health and resolving stomach issues.
- Alternative therapies or treatments may offer long-term benefits for individuals suffering from chronic gastric issues.
- Role of probiotics in promoting a healthy gut microbiome and potentially reducing symptoms of gastric issues.
- Incorporating yoga practice into your daily routine. It is a preferred natural treatment to get rid of gastric problems. The three best yoga poses to ease gastric problems are Pawanamuktasana, Vajrasana and Balasana.
- Collaborating with gastroenterologists for certain medications or medical conditions on gastric health and discussing potential strategies for mitigating their effects.
- Collaborating with gastroenterologists to address patients’ specific gastric concerns and recommendations for improved digestive health.
- Monitoring of gastric problem symptoms is essential to track progress and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
- If symptoms of gastric problems persist or worsen, medical attention may be necessary for therapies or treatments that may offer long-term benefits for patients suffering from chronic gastric problems.
Conclusion
The Centre for Liver & Digestive Sciences at Sarvodaya Hospital in Faridabad, offers comprehensive services and treatment for symptoms of gastric problems from advanced medical team expertise and state-of-the-art facilities.
Gastric problems like heartburn, ulcers, indigestion, gastritis, and bloating are common but frequently uncontrolled stomach issues that need to be properly treated and cared for. Top hospital in Delhi NCR offers a multidisciplinary approach, including consultations with gastroenterologists, diagnostic tests, and tailored treatment plans to address both the symptoms and underlying causes of gastric problems in stomach. The team at Sarvodaya Hospital ensures that patients receive compassionate care, providing gastric problem solution for short-term relief or long-term management of chronic gastric problems in stomach. For effective and comprehensive care of gastric problems, the best hospital in Faridabad stands out as a reliable and trusted healthcare provider in Faridabad.
FAQs
- What is the reason for gastric problems?
The main causes of gastric problems include eating spicy or oily foods, excessively sugary foods, a diet low in fiber, drinking carbonated beverages, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, stress and anxiety, eating too many meals at once, having serious gastric issues like ulcers, gastritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation, pancreatitis, taking medications like aspirin, antibiotics, and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and not exercising.
- How to stop gastric problems?
Changes in diet, lifestyle, and medication, as well as occasionally using home remedies, can all help control mild gastric problems. You may look into the whole description given above. For severe gastric problems in stomach, you may consult a gastroenterologist at the best hospital in Faridabad and Delhi NCR.
- When should I consult a doctor?
You should consult a doctor or gastroenterologist if you have severe gastric problems in the stomach.
- What are the side-effects of antacids?
If you have chronic kidney disease, do not take antacids with magnesium. Some antacids have a lot of salt in their composition, so you should take antacids only for random-causing gastric problems, not for permanent purposes.
- What are suggested medications for the treatment of gastric problems in stomach?
Prescription drugs from a physician and over-the-counter drugs, such as antacids, proton-pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers are medications for gastric problems in stomach.
- How to prevent excessive gas formation in the stomach?
Passing gas is natural and common. Excessive gas formation in the stomach can interfere with your daily activities and might be the cause of embarrassment while sitting in front of a crowd of people. You should avoid eating or drinking too fast, as you may swallow excess air while you eat or drink fast. Chewing small portions of food and giving yourself enough time to do so promotes proper digestion, which begins in the mouth. Take a short walk after every meal and don’t sit regularly in one place. These inclusions will help you relieve excessive gas formation in the stomach. If you may not get relief from these alterations, you should go for medical intervention or consult a doctor for severe gastric problems like gastritis, GERD, etc.
- Can I eat heavy meals at night while gastric problems persist?
No, you should avoid heavy meals at night if you have gastric problems and go for light dinner meals. You should eat a meal 3 to 4 hours before lying down in bed. Because the digestive process slows down while you sleep, eating a large meal at night can cause stomach discomfort, including indigestion, gas, acidity, or heartburn.
- Can gas formation in the stomach cause stomach pain?
When excess gas builds up in your stomach and does not find any way of elimination, it gets trapped in your stomach and can cause severe stomach pain.
- What is the permanent solution for acid problems?
There are several ways to treat it, such as altering one's lifestyle to eat smaller meals more frequently, avoiding skipping meals, chewing food properly, talking less while eating, and exercising frequently to help prevent gastric problems. Hydration can also alleviate symptoms of gastric problems. Chewing fennel seeds, consuming herbal teas like ginger and chamomile, and preparing a beverage with cumin and lemon water are all-natural home remedies that help reduce gas, acidity, bloating, and indigestion. Antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers are examples of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that can help reduce symptoms.
You should consult a doctor for a permanent solution and treatment.
- What are chronic conditions of gastric problems?
Untreated mild gastric issues can develop into chronic issues like gastritis or stomach inflammation. Peptic ulcers will develop if this is not treated, and stomach cancer could be the worst condition. Get a consultation earlier with the best gastroenterologist in Faridabad.
