Lifestyle and home remedies

/Home/Health Conditions/Gastritis - Alternative Remedies/Gastritis - Lifestyle Changes

Digestive problems can occur for many reasons, including lifestyle choices you can control. In general, to keep your digestive system healthy, doctors recommend that you:

Practice good eating habits. Just as important as what you eat is the manner in which you eat. Eat moderate portions, eat at regular times and relax while you eat.

Maintain a healthy weight. Digestive problems can occur no matter what your weight. But heartburn, bloating and constipation tend to be more common in people who are overweight. Maintaining a healthy weight can often help prevent or reduce these symptoms.

Get plenty of exercise. Aerobic exercise that increases your breathing and heart rate also stimulates the activity of intestinal muscles, helping to move food waste through your intestines more quickly. It's best to aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week. Check with your doctor before you begin an exercise program.

Manage stress. Stress increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, dampens your immune system, and can trigger or aggravate skin problems. It also increases stomach acid production and slows digestion. Because stress is unavoidable for most people, the key is to learn to handle it effectively — a task that's made easier by a nutritious diet, adequate rest, regular exercise and healthy ways to relax. If you have trouble relaxing, consider taking up meditation or studying yoga or tai chi. These disciplines can help focus your mind, calm your anxieties and reduce physical tension. In addition, therapeutic massage may loosen taut muscles and calm frazzled nerves.