In my Gastroenterology OPD the most common complaint my patients tell me gas trouble. Most of them have the below listed complaints: –

1. Pain in upper stomach
2. Vague abdomen pain
3. Regurgitation of food
4. Burning sensation
5. Pain which increases with food or empty stomach
6. Passes stools soon after having food
7. Bloating of abdomen
8. Heaviness of abdomen

These complaints mentioned here can be an early symptom of any diseases pertaining to your abdomen. But most commonly after detailed evaluation of my patients many of them have only minor diseases like GERD, Gastritis, Irritable bowel Syndrome, Peptic ulcer.

Very few of them may have alarming disease like infections or inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. But that does not mean that anyone with the above symptoms should be worried. Instead meet your gastroenterologist, get them evaluated and make sure that you do not have anything alarming.

What is GERD?

GERD is expanded as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It is a medical condition where the food inside your stomach is refluxed (pushed back) into your food pipe (esophagus).

How do you feel when you have GERD?

Most patients complain of sensation of burping or burning in upper abdomen or feeling of food particles being regurgitating up, even till throat.

Some of them may complaint of bitter or acidic taste for mouth.

What is Gastritis and Peptic Ulcers?

It is a condition when your stomach produces more amount of acid, making your gut feel as if it’s burning inside.

In most patients’ gastritis is triggered by skipping a meal or drugs or anxiety.

What can be done to get rid of all these symptoms?

• First and the foremost step is to meet your gastroenterologist and verify if you have any alarming diseases.
• If you do not have any alarming diseases, but instead you are just suffering from Gastritis or GERD the below measures can help you feel better:-

1. Avoid spicy food items
2. Avoid drinking tea / coffee
3. Totally avoid all fired / canned items
4. Stop smoking completely
5. Remain stress free
6. Weight reduction to your ideal body weight
7. Daily do aerobic exercise for at least 45 minutes
8. If you are a professional who sits for long hours,
   • Try to avoid siting continuously beyond 45 minutes.
   • Take breaks, stand, or relax
   • Do not use tight belts to keep your waist tight
9. Avoid unnecessary usage of over-the-counter pain killers

There is no best medicine which can cure you better than life style modifications

“Despite  practicing all these measures if you feel you are not better, you must get properly evaluated by a gastroenterologist to verify if there is any underlying diseases which are alarming“