Four Tips for Settling a Nervous Stomach

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

28 Oct 2009 03:33 PM

When my dogs have an upset stomach, I know just what to do: cook up a pot of white rice, mix it with some chicken broth, and serve it up. But when I'm dealing with my own nervous stomach, the solution isn't quite so easy.

A "nervous stomach" is often a symptom of stress... at least, it is for me! As the stress level in my life goes up (I feel like I'm at Stresscon Five right now), my stomach wants to join the party. Sometimes, I lose my appetite. More often, the problem shows up at the end of the digestive tract. Okay, I'll stop trying to be subtle and just say it: when I'm stressed out, I tend to have what I call in the dogs "pudding butt". It's not quite diarrhea, but it's not my usual output. (Have I overshared yet? A little. Onward!)

Whichever part of the digestive tract is in trouble, a nervous stomach is not fun times. Here are some tips that might help calm things down:

1. Try to find a way to relieve stress in your life. Maybe it's sharing a workload, or chores around the house. Maybe it's finding an outlet like exercise or smashing teacups in the back of a truck.
2. Treat specific symptoms. If a nervous stomach makes you extra gassy, pop those bubbles with an over-the-counter gas reliever. If stress triggers problems with acid reflux, find a way to relieve it. Me, I've got a date with a bottle of Pepto. Your local pharmacy is full of stomach remedies that are available without a prescription or doctor's visit.
3. Look at natural remedies, too. Peppermint and ginger have a long history of easing stomach troubles. You could sip peppermint or ginger tea if you like hot drinks, or ginger ale if you like cold drinks. There are plenty of peppermint and ginger candies out there, too.
4. If the problem doesn't stop when the stress does, you may want to talk to your doctor. Stress may have been the kickoff for the problem, but if it sticks around too long, you may have some other health issue going on. There are some serious health issues (IBS, ulcers, acid reflux) that may seem like they're stress related... but sometimes, they're not.

How does your stomach react to stress? What's your favorite tummy soother when things turn hectic?

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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Aimee Amodio (11995) 29 Oct 2009 11:59 AM

Here's a bonus fifth tip: Don't eat things that already give you stomach trouble. For example, I tend to have trouble with dairy... so if my stomach is already upset, I'm not going to make things worse by loading up on the cheese! Stick with foods you know are safe and easy on your nervous stomach.