Some people cannot tolerate dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese, which leads to stomach ache or diarrhea. Gluten, excessively oily or spicy foods also cause problems for some. If your stomach gets upset immediately after eating certain foods, it's important to pay attention to those foods. Mental stress, anxiety, and restlessness directly affect the digestive system. Continuous stress can lead to problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), where even a small amount of food can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, or constipation.
Lack of sleep and an unhealthy lifestyle can also be contributing factors. Consuming unclean water or contaminated food can cause intestinal infections. This results in persistent stomach upset regardless of what you eat. Additionally, excessive use of antibiotics or certain medications can destroy the beneficial bacteria in the intestines, leading to digestive problems.
To address this problem, it is essential to first improve your diet and lifestyle. Eat meals on time and in a relaxed manner. Avoid very spicy, oily, processed, and outside food. Eating light, home-cooked, and fresh food improves the digestive system. Foods like rice, lentils, vegetables, buttermilk, and rice gruel provide comfort to the stomach. Including buttermilk, yogurt, and fermented foods in moderation helps increase beneficial gut bacteria and improves digestion. Incorporate digestive aids like ginger, cumin, carom seeds, and asafoetida into your diet. Develop the habit of drinking lukewarm water and avoid cold water or very cold foods.
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Managing mental stress is crucial; meditation, pranayama, light exercise, and adequate sleep can alleviate digestive stress. Avoid immediate post-meal activity. Consult a doctor for persistent upset, weight loss, bleeding, severe pain, or fever, as these may indicate serious conditions, infections, or intolerances. Seek prompt medical advice for frequent stomach upset to identify and address underlying causes, which could signal a serious illness.