Eating Tips: Avoid Tummy Troubles During the Holidays

The holidays are a time for festive meals and family gatherings, but they can also bring the unwanted gift of tummy troubles. From rich foods to irregular eating patterns, this season can challenge even the strongest digestive system.

Your belly houses many organs including the stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, ovaries, and bladder. With so much going on in such a small space, it’s easy for things to go wrong during holiday indulgences.

Luckily, you can avoid these digestive issues with a few simple tips. By the end of this article, you’ll know the common causes of tummy troubles and some practical ways to avoid them.

What Is Tummy Trouble?

Tummy trouble is a general term for any discomfort or pain in the stomach area. Stomach pain is a common health issue that affects millions of people each day. It can range from mild bloating to severe cramps.

You may experience tummy troubles after eating something that doesn’t agree with your digestive system. However, it isn’t just the fallout of eating something wrong. Stomach pain could be a sign of a serious health issue. Let’s check out the most common culprits.

10 Common Causes of Tummy Troubles

There are many types of tummy troubles, here are some of the most common ones:

1. Constipation

   Constipation is a condition that makes it hard to pass stools. Simply put, if you’re not passing at least three stools a week, you’re likely dealing with constipation. It can happen when you’re not drinking enough water, skimping on fiber, being inactive, or the side effects of certain medications.

2. Diarrhea

   Diarrhea is the opposite of constipation—passing loose, watery stools often. Common causes of diarrhea include food allergies, lactose intolerance, or stomach infections. While diarrhea isn’t usually a serious illness, it can lead to dehydration, which can be fatal for neonates and young children.

3. Food Intolerance

   You ate something greasy last night, and now you feel like there’s a balloon in your stomach. That’s food intolerance when your stomach troubles after eating, and it struggles to digest the food. For some, a glass of milk might lead to diarrhea, while others will get bloated after eating anything with gluten.

4. Travel Tummy Troubles

   Travel is all about being away from home, grabbing food on the go, keeping a flexible schedule, and missing out on rest. All this can take a toll on your stomach, leading to tummy troubles. But don’t worry—we’ve some tips ahead to help you dodge those travel tummy issues.

5. Food Poisoning

   People who love eating outside are more prone to stomach bugs and food poisoning. Food with bacteria, viruses, and parasites causes food poisoning. Vomiting with diarrhea and stomach cramping are clear symptoms of food poisoning.

6. Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)

   Stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis is a viral infection of your when the lining of your stomach and intestines gets inflamed. Symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and a fever tell that your body is under attack by a virus.

7. Gastritis

   The stomach has a lining (mucosa) that protects it from the acids, enzymes, and germs that pass through it. When something irritates or harms this barrier, your immune system sees it as a threat and causes inflammation to fight the problem. This inflammation is called gastritis. H. pylori bacteria is a common cause of gastritis, and about 50% of the world’s population is infected with it.

8. Peptic Ulcer

   A peptic ulcer is a condition with sores in the stomach lining or small intestine (duodenum). Heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bloating, belching, and stomach pain are clear symptoms.

9. Tummy Troubles While Pregnant

   Pregnancy is tough on the stomach, with all the hormonal changes and the pressure from the growing baby on your digestive system. Also, constipation, bloating, and UTI are common in pregnancy. Tummy troubles are part of the pregnancy but don’t stress. Please go to the emergency room and your doctor will fix it all.

10. Pancreatitis

    Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas-large organs behind the stomach. It causes upper abdominal pain that can spread to your back.

Other Common Tummy Trouble Causes Include:

• Appendicitis
• Gallstones or kidney stones
• Ovulation and menstrual cramps
• Trouble passing gas

Tips to Avoid Tummy Troubles

Here are some simple tips to keep your stomach in good shape:

• Don’t Overeat: It’s tempting to fill your plate with everything on the table, but overeating gives a big time to your stomach. Start with small portions and return for seconds if you’re still hungry.
• Eat Slowly: Eating too quickly can lead to bloating and indigestion. Take your time, chew your food well, and enjoy each bite to avoid indigestion.
• Eat Healthy: Skip the greasy spicy food and food that has been sitting out for too long. Increase fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains intake. Don’t be lazy to refrigerate leftovers quickly and don’t undercook meat no matter how hungry you are.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep your digestive system running smoothly and miraculously prevents almost all digestive issues. Staying hydrated should be the one thing on your travel to—do list if you want to enjoy your trip.
• Stay Active: Last but not least, regular exercise and staying active save you a lot of trouble. Even a short walk after a big meal acts like fuel for the digestive system to process the food more efficiently. Intense exercise is not recommended right after eating.

Final Thoughts

Tummy troubles don’t have to ruin your holiday season. Be mindful of what you eat, and if something goes wrong, don’t rely on the internet for answers. Head to the nearest emergency room in Watauga for help before the next flare-up.

At the Watauga emergency room, we can help you with your tummy issues, so you can savor the food without ruining your holidays.

FAQs

1.    Can stress cause tummy troubles during the holidays?

Yes, stress can trigger tummy troubles. It slows down the digestive system raising issues like bloating and constipation. Sometimes, stress speeds digestion ending in diarrhea and vomiting.

2.    Are the causes of tummy troubles the same in adults and children?

Not always! While some causes of tummy troubles, like food poisoning, stomach flu, or overeating, can affect both adults and children, others are more age-specific. Viral infections, food allergies, and school-related stress are the main causes of tummy troubles in children.