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Nervous Stomach Relief

There's nothing fun about nervous stomach, a wide-ranging term for a series of symptoms including nausea, diarrhea and constipation. Whether it's brought on by stress, by diet or by a disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome, one thing is clear: everyone who has it wants it to stop immediately. The remedies depend on the cause. Some come from within, and some come from your local pharmacy or health-food store.

  1. Take It Easy

    • Extreme stress brings on a sick feeling in the stomach, and it can come from anywhere: a big deadline at work or school, a piece of bad news, an unpleasant or shocking thought. People whose digestive systems are particularly sensitive to stress are more likely to suffer from nervous stomach. Certain kinds of stress activate the body's fight-or-flight mechanism. This speeds bodily processes, including digestion and elimination of waste.

    Herbal Remedies

    • Antacids are fine and the pink stuff works too, but you might be better off fighting your stomach's twitches and lurches naturally. Peppermint contains chemicals that relax the muscles of your digestive tract and reduce gas; chamomile relieves heartburn and can relax the whole body; and ginger stops nausea and vomiting. Such herbs are available as dietary supplements or in teas.

    Eat Right

    • Caffeine and alcohol really mess with your metabolism; drinking both in excess is like trying to drive a car while flooring the accelerator and slamming on the brake at the same time. It is best to abstain from both while suffering from nervous stomach, and it is best to use both in moderation to help avoid future episodes.

      Certain foods are known to bring on adverse reactions in many; these include spicy foods and those heavy in dairy (lactose intolerance can bring on extremely powerful spells of nervous stomach.)

    Medical Treatment

    • There are plenty of laxatives and anti-diarrheal medications available either over the counter or by prescription. Those who suffer from nervous stomach frequently should see their doctor; alosetron hydrochloride has been approved for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome whose main problem is diarrhea. This medicine can cause severe constipation or a drop in blood flow to the colon.

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