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Certain foods increase the frequency of heartburn. Watch out for:
* Rich, fatty foods. Hard cheeses, greasy or fried foods, butter, sour cream, chips, premium ice cream, high-fat meats, cheesecake, pastries and other high-fat desserts.
* Coffee. Decaf and regular.
* Spicy foods.
* Chocolate. It causes serotonin to be released by cells in the intestines, relaxing the esophageal sphincter.
* Nuts and oily foods.
* Alcoholic beverages.
* Tomato juice and other citrus juices.
* Peppermint. The menthol is a muscle relaxer.
Over-the-counter antacids are also an option, although long-term use can have side effects. If you have chronic, severe GERD, you may need to see your doctor.
On the other hand, you may be one of the 20 percent of Americans who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
It's more common in women than men. Symptoms usually begin at a young age and include lower abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
It's not clear what causes IBS, which is not a disease and has not yet been linked to any serious diseases such as cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. It's diagnosed by its symptoms after other diseases have been ruled out. Still, the symptoms can be disabling.
Some diet changes that may help:
* Get more fiber. If you have diarrhea, fiber can help absorb fluid and make stools firmer. If you have constipation, the fluid the fiber absorbs can soften the stool. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes are rich sources of dietary fiber. Drink plenty of fluids, too.
* Avoid overeating. If you stuff yourself, you may trigger cramps or diarrhea. Fatty, greasy foods can have the same effect.
* Watch caffeine-containing beverages, if you have diarrhea.
* Try enteric-coated peppermint. It's commonly used in Britain to treat symptoms of IBS. Buy it at natural foods stores.
Source Reuters Health
* Rich, fatty foods. Hard cheeses, greasy or fried foods, butter, sour cream, chips, premium ice cream, high-fat meats, cheesecake, pastries and other high-fat desserts.
* Coffee. Decaf and regular.
* Spicy foods.
* Chocolate. It causes serotonin to be released by cells in the intestines, relaxing the esophageal sphincter.
* Nuts and oily foods.
* Alcoholic beverages.
* Tomato juice and other citrus juices.
* Peppermint. The menthol is a muscle relaxer.
Over-the-counter antacids are also an option, although long-term use can have side effects. If you have chronic, severe GERD, you may need to see your doctor.
On the other hand, you may be one of the 20 percent of Americans who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
It's more common in women than men. Symptoms usually begin at a young age and include lower abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
It's not clear what causes IBS, which is not a disease and has not yet been linked to any serious diseases such as cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. It's diagnosed by its symptoms after other diseases have been ruled out. Still, the symptoms can be disabling.
Some diet changes that may help:
* Get more fiber. If you have diarrhea, fiber can help absorb fluid and make stools firmer. If you have constipation, the fluid the fiber absorbs can soften the stool. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes are rich sources of dietary fiber. Drink plenty of fluids, too.
* Avoid overeating. If you stuff yourself, you may trigger cramps or diarrhea. Fatty, greasy foods can have the same effect.
* Watch caffeine-containing beverages, if you have diarrhea.
* Try enteric-coated peppermint. It's commonly used in Britain to treat symptoms of IBS. Buy it at natural foods stores.
Source Reuters Health
