Do you also get stomach problems during the festive season? (Digestive Problems) Be careful of these things!

In our country, when it comes to a festival, party, or wedding, there is no shortage of food and drinks. When you get together with friends, during the New Year or Christmas season, it is normal to feel like eating a little more when you see delicious food. However, after eating and drinking happily, some people experience minor problems. The main ones are stomach ache, bloating, heartburn, nausea, or diarrhea. Why does this happen? Let's talk about this today.

5 ways to prevent stomach upset

"Precaution is better than cure," they say. So let's first look at 5 simple things we can do to avoid stomach upsets like this.

1. Eat small, frequent meals.

If you want to avoid stomach upset and indigestion, avoid eating large meals at once. Instead, it is better to eat smaller meals several times a day. Imagine you are at a party. Instead of sharing a plate full of food at once, take small portions of your favorite foods and enjoy them. It is okay to eat a little more after a while. This will reduce the feeling of heaviness in your stomach.

2. Monks, enjoy your meal.

When you eat, enjoy it, chew it well, and talk to your friends while you eat. Simply put, don't swallow it too quickly. Gastroenterologists say, "If you eat too much food at once, your stomach slows down. That's when you start to feel full and experience discomfort like gas."

This "slow down" applies to exercise as well. If you've exercised for more than 45 minutes, wait about an hour before eating. This is because when you exercise, blood flow is directed to the muscles. It takes a while for the blood supply to the stomach to return to normal. This is very important for digestion.

3. Keep food safe

With the hot climate of our country, food can spoil very quickly. Especially at outdoor parties, if a lot of food is left out for a long time, there is a high chance of bacteria growing. Such spoiled food can cause food poisoning , which can lead to serious conditions like vomiting and diarrhea.

So remember these things:

• Keep foods that need to be kept cold (like salads, desserts) cold.
• Keep food that needs to be kept hot (like rice, curry) hot.
• If you have any doubts about a food that has been at room temperature for more than two hours, it's best not to eat it.

4. Reduce oily, fried and acidic foods

To avoid things like gas, bloating, and heartburn, it's important to limit certain foods.

5. Drink plenty of water.

On hot days, our bodies lose a lot of water through sweat. This can lead to dehydration , which can lead to nausea and constipation. So drink water little by little throughout the day. But don't drink a large amount of water at once. Doing so can cause bloating because you swallow air along with the water.

5 tips for dealing with an upset stomach

Okay, no matter how careful we are, sometimes a small mistake can cause a stomach ache. If that happens, don't panic. Try these simple things.

1. Eat fruits and herbs that are good for the stomach: Some foods have amazing properties that can help relieve stomach upset. Pineapple, papaya, ginger tea, and fennel are some of the most important of these. Also, drinking chamomile tea can help reduce stomach upset to a great extent.

2. Drink only liquids: If you have vomiting or diarrhea, it is extremely important to prevent dehydration. But don't drink too much at once. Drink small amounts of liquids like water, orange juice, or porridge. Avoid solid foods for a few hours.

3. Stay away from strong smells: If you have nausea, strong smells can make it worse. Stay away from things like cooking smells, strong perfumes, and cigarette smoke.

4. Avoid things that make your stomach upset worse: Coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks (soda) can make your stomach upset worse. Also, some medications you take can be a cause. If you are taking any medication and you are experiencing frequent stomach upsets, be sure to talk to your doctor about this.

5. Take medication only on medical advice: There are over-the-counter medications (`antacids`) that can be purchased at the pharmacy for heartburn and gas. However, never self-diagnose and take medication. It can be very dangerous. For example, taking some painkillers (NSAIDs) like aspirin can make stomach problems worse for some people. Therefore, be sure to consult your doctor before taking any medication.

When should you see a doctor for a stomach ache?

Most of the time, stomach upsets go away on their own within a day or two. However, if you have frequent stomach upsets, they could be a sign of another condition. For example, acid reflux, food intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or stomach ulcers.

If you have one or more of the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately. If necessary, go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

However, for many people, these minor stomach upsets that come with the festive season quickly get better with a little rest and a few simple steps.