We have often heard people saying “my stomach is weak”. Well, so are these statements true or false? If they are true then what do we need to do to keep the stomach healthy and clean?
First of all, let’s have a look at what a stomach actually is. Stomach is the sack-like organ which is situated between the oesophagus and the small intestine. Stomach performs three functions- first it stores food, second it breaks down the food by acids and enzymes and thirdly it absorbs essential nutrients from food into blood for further use by the body. Stomach is also known as gastric or alimentary canal.
We can prevent stomach disorders like acidity, indigestion, constipation etc by following these simple rules:
Eat smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day instead of three large meals. This will help to digest food properly and prevent acidity and indigestion.
It is advisable not to lie down immediately after meals because the stomach utilizes gravity while the digestion process. If you lie down you will feel uncomfortable and get disturbed sleep throughout the night. You can make an exception if you are having your meal at 6 pm (before sunset). But during all other times stay upright for at least an hour after meals. It will also help to digest food better and faster.
Water helps to digest the food. It also helps in proper circulation of blood all over the body including the stomach. So drink 6-8 glasses of water daily. This will help you stay hydrated and clean your stomach. You can add mint, lemon or honey in it for taste and extra benefits.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables as they are rich in fiber. Fiber is beneficial because it gets digested slowly by the stomach which prevents acidity, indigestion, constipation etc. They also provide essential nutrients to the body. Include more green leafy veggies like spinach etc.
Do not eat too quickly or chew your food very roughly as it can cause indigestion, acidity and stomach ache. In order to chew your food properly, take small bites and chew each bite at least 30 times before swallowing it. This will help in proper digestion of the food and also prevent you from acidity and indigestion.
Peppermint tea is known to be very effective for proper digestion of food and keeping the stomach healthy and clean. Peppermint also helps in proper blood circulation throughout the body including the stomach which is helpful in good health of the stomach.
These foods are high in saturated fats, sugars and salts etc which we all know can cause obesity and other stomach related disorders. So it’s advisable to avoid such food as much as possible as they not only affect our health but also our personality.
Smoking is one of the major causes of stomah cancer. Smoking also leads to other major stomach disorders like ulcers, heartburn etc. Alcohol consumption can lead to stomah problems like acidity and indigestion, so avoid it as much as you can.
Stress is also one of the leading causes of many stomach related issues. So try to avoid stress by meditating daily if possible. It may also help you with your dermatological problems.
Exercise helps to improve digestion and keeps the stomach healthy. So try to exercise regularly at least 30 minutes daily. It will help you stay fit and also keep your stomach clean.
Try to sleep at least six hours every night because you tend to overeat when you are tired or stressed. This can lead to acidity, indigestion or constipation. So it’s advisable to sleep for a complete standard sleep time.
If you suffer from indigestion or acidity frequently then consult the doctor. If the problems still persist even after following these simple steps then perhaps there may be some serious issue and it’s time to take a thorough checkup and guidelines from your doctor. You can find Best Gastroenterologist in Islamabad at oladoc.com.