Health: indigestion

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Dietary Changes for Indigestion

Do you suffer from frequent indigestion (or as they say in the medical field, dyspepsia) -- usually abdominal pain, burning, nausea or diarrhea? While this condition can have a number of causes (more in a future tip), most of the time indigestion is caused by the reflux of gastric juices into the stomach. To help prevent or limit discomfort, the Weill Medical College of Cornell University's Food & Fitness Advisor recommends the following dietary changes:

- Chew your food thoroughly.- Eat six small meals a day instead of three large ones.- Don't eat within 2 to 3 hours of bedtime.In our next tip, specific food suggestions...

Indigestion: Well Tolerated Foods

In our last tip, we mentioned that indigestion is typically caused by the reflux of gastric juices into the stomach. You can help alleviate discomfort by carefully monitoring what you eat. Dr. Christine Frissora, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University suggests that the following foods are usually well tolerated by even a sensitive stomach:

Cream of Wheat, oatmeal with berries, pasta, fish, shrimp, egg whites, yogurt, couscous, rice, lentil soup, homemade chicken soup, split pea soup, chick peas, corn flakes, Rice Krispies, chamomile/herbal teas, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, avocado, angel food cake, olive oil, strawberries, blueberries, waffles, pancakes and mashed potatoes.

Indigestion: Foods to Eat Cautiously

Two tips back, we mentioned that indigestion is typically caused by the reflux of gastric juices into the stomach. You can help alleviate discomfort by carefully monitoring what you eat. Dr. Christine Frissora, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University suggests that if you have a sensitive stomach, the following foods should be eaten with caution:

Alcohol, grapes, chocolate, caffeine, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, coleslaw, cold cuts, iceberg lettuce, popcorn, dairy, garlic, onions and tomatoes.

Indigestion: Foods to Avoid

A few tips back, we mentioned that indigestion is typically caused by the reflux of gastric juices into the stomach. You can help alleviate discomfort by carefully monitoring what you eat. Dr. Christine Frissora, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University suggests that if you have a sensitive stomach, the following should be avoided:

MSG, chewing gum, eggplant skin, large seeds, nuts, smoking, bell peppers, cucumber skin, potato skin, brain, Fiber One, fried foods, fats, carbonated beverages, Snapple, Gatorade, high fructose syrup, Sorbitol and sunflower seeds.

What Else Could Indigestion Mean?

Over the past tips, we've discussed some dietary guidelines recommended by Dr. Christine Frissora, MD, of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University for individuals suffering from frequent indigestion (or dyspepsia). If symptoms don't subside after following these suggestions, you should see your healthcare provider. According to Dr. Frissora, dyspepsia or dyspepsia-like symptoms could be caused by other conditions. These include ulcers; a post-viral gastroparesis, where the stomach is not emptying properly; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), caused by a weakness of the sphincter that normally keeps stomach contents from backing up into the esophagus; celiac disease (an intolerance to gluten) and stomach cancer. Abdominal pain can also be caused by inflammatory bowel disease -- Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis -- and gallbladder disease can cause nausea and pain in the right-side of the abdomen.

In our next tip, some warning signs of (perhaps) a more serious condition....

Valerie Ryan

When Indigestion Becomes Serious

Over the past tips, we've discussed some dietary guidelines recommended by Dr. Christine Frissora, MD, of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University for individuals suffering from frequent indigestion (dyspepsia). Please note that if you have indigestion in combination with any of the following symptoms -- considered "red flags" in the medical field -- you should see your healthcare provider immediately:

- Unintended weight loss - Vomiting - Sudden and severe abdominal pain - Blood in the stool

- Valerie Ryan

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2002


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