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7 Ways You Can Relieve Gastritis Symptoms at Home
Gastritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the stomach and can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating and upper-abdominal pain. There are various ways to relieve the symptoms of gastritis at home without having to schedule an expensive doctor’s appointment.
1. Eat smaller meals: Eating smaller meals can help to reduce some of the symptoms associated with gastritis by allowing your stomach time to empty itself between meals. Eating four or five small meals throughout the day may be better tolerated than three large ones.
2. Avoid spicy foods: Spicy foods can irritate an already inflamed stomach lining and increase discomfort from other gastritis symptoms. Try avoiding food that is high in spice for a few days until your condition improves.
3. Increase water intake: Increasing your water intake is important when dealing with gastritis as dehydration can cause further irritation in the intestinal tract. Try to drink two liters of water a day, or more if you’re physically active.
4. Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can worsen gastritis symptoms because it irritates the stomach lining and decreases important digestive secretions that may already be impaired due to gastritis. If you must drink, limit your intake of alcoholic beverages and stick with clear liquors such as vodka or gin over beer and dark liquors like whiskey.
5. Reduce stress: Stress has been linked to causing or exacerbating gastritis symptoms so it’s important to try to reduce stress levels where possible. Consider taking up yoga, meditation or gentle exercise such as walking or swimming to help manage stress levels.
6. Take antacids: Antacids are over-the-counter medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of gastritis by neutralizing and reducing the amount of stomach acid produced. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which antacid is suitable for you.
7. Follow a bland diet: Following a bland diet can help alleviate gastritis symptoms as it limits the foods that may cause irritation in the digestive tract. This includes avoiding fatty, fried, spicy or acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and caffeinated drinks. Instead, opt for easy-to-digest food like crackers, oatmeal and bananas until your condition improves.
In conclusion, there are several ways in which you can relieve the symptoms of gastritis at home. If your condition doesn’t improve after trying these at-home remedies, speak to your doctor for further advice.