Digestive System FAQs

Sometimes a virus, certain medicine or food may cause digestive upset. You may have constipation, nausea or diarrhea. These symptoms are rarely harmful and happen to everyone from time to time. Here are some tips for dealing with digestive trouble, including advice about when to call your doctor. 

Nausea and vomiting

Gas

Heartburn

Constipation

Diarrhea

Nausea and vomiting

What is it? Nausea is a sick or queasy feeling you get before you vomit. Vomiting is when your stomach contents are forced through your mouth.

What can I do if I have nausea and vomiting?

To ease your symptoms, try to:

• Rest. Too much activity could make nausea worse.
• Stay hydrated. Take small sips of water or flat carbonated beverages (no bubbles) such as gingerale.
• Avoid strong odours which may trigger nausea and vomiting.
• Do not drink for at least 30 minutes after vomiting, and then start with small sips of clear juices or tea.
• Eat bland foods. Start with gelatin, soda crackers and dry toast.
• Try eating cold food, since it may not smell as strong as hot food.
• Avoid fried, fatty or spicy foods.

When should I seek treatment? Call 911 if you have vomiting and chest pain, blurred vision, fainting or a stiff neck. Call your doctor if you can’t eat or drink anything for 12 hours.

Gas

What is it? Passing gas is normal, even though it may be embarrassing. Gas forms when you digest food or swallow too much air.

What can I do if I have gas?

It is important to figure out which foods cause your gas. Some common causes are:

• Legumes: beans, lentils, dried peas
• Vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, onions, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
• Carbonated drinks: pop, sparkling water
• Drinks that contain the sweetener high-fructose corn syrup
• Whole wheat or bran
• Dairy products, if you are lactose intolerant
• Sugar free foods sweetened with sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol

If you know which foods cause your gas, you can eat them less often. But since vegetables, legumes and dairy are part of a healthy diet, you don’t want to have to stop eating them completely. Work with your doctor or Registered Dietitian to find a plan that works for you.

In some cases, you can take over the counter products to help you digest certain foods:

• Gas reducing products (eg. Beano) have the enzyme needed to digest beans and some vegetables.
• Lactose reduced products (eg. Lactaid) contain the enzyme to digest lactose in milk products.

If you have excess gas, you may also try to:

• Relax while eating. Stress or eating on the go may cause more gas.
• Eat more slowly and swallow less air.
• Avoid gum and hard candy. (These products can cause you to swallow air.)

When should I seek treatment? Passing gas 14 to 25 times a day is normal. Call your doctor if your gas is more frequent or if symptoms don’t improve with dietary changes.  

Heartburn

What is it? Heartburn is a burning pain in the lower part of the chest. It is caused when acid backs up into the esophagus (the tube between the throat and the stomach).

What can I do if I have heartburn?

• Avoid foods that may cause heartburn. These may be:

                        - Onions

                        - Garlic

                        - Peppermint

                        - Spices

                        - Chocolate

                        - Citrus fruits such as orange or grapefruit

                        - Tomato products such as tomato sauce, salsa and pizza.

• Limit high fat foods. These include fatty meat, full-fat dairy products, deep-fried foods and desserts such as cake.
• Eat meals sitting upright. Stay upright for 45-60 minutes after eating.
• Try not to lie down after eating meals.
• Do not eat for two to three hours before bed.
• Avoid clothes that fit tightly around the stomach.
• Do not eat large amounts of food at one time.
• Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Talk to your doctor about taking antacids to help relieve heartburn.

When should I seek treatment? Speak to your doctor if heartburn occurs more than three times per week or if antacids don’t help. Tell your doctor right away if you have heartburn paired with vomiting, low iron, weight loss or chest pain.

For more on heartburn: Help calm your heartburn and reflux, EatRight Ontario

 

Constipation

What is it? Constipation is when you have a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. Stools are usually hard, dry, small and difficult to pass. Some people think they are constipated if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, it can be normal to have a bowel movement three times a day or three times a week, depending on the person. The key is to pay attention if there is a change in your bowel habits.

What can I do if I am constipated?

Here are tips to prevent and treat constipation:

• Get enough fluid each day. Aim for 9 cups for women or 12 cups for men.  Water is the best choice but milk, juice, coffee, tea and soup also provide fluid.
• Have 21-38 grams of fibre each day from whole grain breads and cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds.
• Limit low-fibre foods such as cheese, meat and processed foods.
• Be active every day. Aim for 30 minutes and work your way up to 60 minutes. Speak to your doctor before starting if you are new to physical activity.
• Don’t ignore the urge to go to the bathroom.
• Consider medicine (laxatives) only when nothing else works. Talk to your doctor first.

When should I seek treatment? See your doctor if you experience a sudden change in bowel habits. Also tell your doctor if you have blood in your stool, stomach pain or both constipation and diarrhea.

 

Diarrhea

What is it? Diarrhea is loose, watery stools. You may get diarrhea from:

• Contaminated food or water.
• Viruses such as the Norwalk virus.
• Food allergies or food intolerances.
• Some medicine, such as antibiotics.

What can I do if I have diarrhea?

• Your goal is to reduce loose stools.
• Medicine is usually not needed. Check with your doctor.
• To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of clear fluids, including water, weak tea, broth and diluted juice or sports drinks that contain salts such as sodium and potassium. Drink eight to ten cups (2 L – 2.5 L) of fluid each day to make up for fluid losses.
• Choose small amounts of bland foods such as plain toast, bananas, rice, crackers or chicken.
• Until symptoms subside, avoid alcohol, caffeine and foods that are high in fibre, fat or sugar.
• Don’t use anti-diarrhea medication without checking with your doctor.

When should I seek treatment? Call your doctor if diarrhea continues for more than three days or if you also have vomiting or fever. It’s also important to drink fluids and prevent dehydration. If you notice these signs of dehydration, call your doctor:

• Being thirsty.
• Urinating less than usual.
• Having dark-coloured urine.
• Feeling very tired.
• Feeling dizzy.

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