Stomach problems range from mild, occasional gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) to ulcers to stomach cancer. Most physicians agree that there is a lot a person can do to control and/or prevent these conditions. Most entail lifestyle choices.
Practice good eating habits:
Equally important as what goes into your stomach, is how you practice eating. Portion control is not only good for weight control, but also enables you to digest your food more effectively, without undue stress. Eating at regular times makes sure that your stomach isn't growling and working overtime to be heard to let you know the stomach is hungry. Finally, eating in a relaxed environment without hurrying the experience will also aid digestion and not overwhelm the processes of the stomach; plus, you may enjoy eating more by slowing down.
Maintain a healthy weight:
People who are obese, and do not eat healthy foods, are more likely to have heart burn, feel bloated, and be constipated.
Exericse:
Daily exercise will help one maintain a healthy weight. In addition, aerobic exercise stimulates the activity of the intestines, helping food move through the system more effectively and efficiently.
Manage stress:
Constantly being under stress can weaken one's immune system, thereby, decreasing your body's normal mechanisms to fight off disease. A weakened immune system is less likely to fight off the H. Pylori bacterium which causes gastritis and ulcers. Stress can also increase stomach acid production, as well as slowing digestion (i.e. one can not digest food when one's epinephrine is flowing). Many forms of relaxation exercises exist today which should help the modern person cope with the inevitable stresses they face.
Smoking:
The nicotine in smoke impacts the nervous regulators of stomach acid. Additionally, the irritants within cigarettes that find their way to the stomach (No, Virginia, all smoke does not go directly to your lungs) also irritates the stomach lining. So if you smoke, quit; and if you don't smoke, don't start!
Doctor's Treatment Plan:
Lastly, but just as important, is to be compliant with any treatment plan your physician or health care provider has established for you. Be sure to tell your provider if you take any over the counter medications, such as Motrin, Aleve, Aspirin, etc. which may be contributing to your gastritis, possible ulcers. You are a partner in care. The provider may recommend, but in the end, it is up to you to manage your own care to be healthy.
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