“Oh I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!”
How many times a week do you put the pressure on yourself for going way too far with food and deserts? Everything’s going good until that over the limit bite that forces your tummy into a mode of ka-biggie-boom.
The late Dr. Henry Janowitz, former head of gastroenterology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine loved to talk about indigestion—from acid to belching, nausea, bloating and all other things connected to even larger situations.
The leading cause of gastrointestinal distress is heartburn—usually caused by caffeine and cigarettes, fatty foods, alcohol, ulcers, diabetes and viral infections. If left untreated, Dr. Henry writes in his book Good Food for Bad Stomachs that inflammation of the esophagus can become chronic marked by hoarseness, pain, difficult swallowing, nausea and frequent sleepless nights.
What’s the first thing we do? Slam over the counter pills into our system believing all things that look and smell like a duck must be a duck. No such luck!
The incredible pains I was having in my throat on July 21st was quickly diagnosed as acid reflux—it wasn’t the doctor who led the forces forward to seek other means of reason, I jokingly told the medical official present that I’d sleep better if an EKG could be performed. Indigestion is one of the first hardcore signs of someone having heart problems. Mine just happened to be in the throat. My neighbor Roger assumed he had too much Chinese food. The next morning the ambulance was picking his body up from home.
Indigestion is the body’s way of saying, “Um…controller of all things incredible, you who loves to look in the mirror to make sure the hair is perfect and your armpits don’t smell ripe…yeah, it’s me, the ticker…something isn’t right.”
Dr. Henry says there are four things we can do to help calm the indigestion caused by the way we eat, work and react to stress:
1. Eat three square meals a day—never skip breakfast or lunch. You can’t make it up at the end of the day.
2. Don’t lie down after you’ve had something to eat. Late night snacks are a weapon of mass destruction. If you’re like me and require sleep after eating, then prop up the pillows and keep that head above the acid intensified body waters.
3. Avoid the “C” word. Constipation. Abdominal pressure makes reflux dance. Toss in the fiber, drink plenty of liquids, shy away from tight belts and do your body a favor and exercise.
4. Avoid greasy or highly seasoned foods—anything with chili powder is going to stuff you up.
Dr. Henry is very serious when he warns, “If digestion becomes an everyday situation, don’t whip out the video games and get lost in a different thought…seek medical help.”
But what about people who do eat right, get enough sleep and exercise three to four times a week—you know, they live what is looked upon as being a healthy life and style? According to Henry, you could be the victim of what he calls the Brain-Gut Connection.
Your thinker is hooked up to the stomach which is linked to the esophagus and small bowel—through rapid transit not purchase by taxpayers, a system of nerves have created a pathway based on continuous communications. This is why work related stress or emotional love related events hoist the SOS signal into full play during your day.
Emotional disturbances change your brains chemical activity sending signals to your gastrointestinal tract. While some can handle ample amounts of stress your GI tract has come under full attack creating indigestion. Oh I know! Let’s take more over the counter pills! Gas be gone!
Incredible damage on that invisible self you barely know is currently being born. I’ve always wanted to interview my body parts. What would your stomach, connected to your brain say to you right now? If this body was a radio station it sure wouldn’t be a test of the Emergency Broadcast System—it would be an all out run and take cover.
If your car battery was spitting acid you’d haul its bumper to the mechanic…your entire being is no different. If I had popped another pill for acid on July 21st you wouldn’t be here today reading my next word……..booger.
Steal my art and get your engine fixed!
arroecollins@clearchannel.com
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