Are the butterflies staying too long?
We’ve all felt "butterflies in our stomach" when we’re feeling good, a "nervous stomach" when we’re about to give a presentation or speech, or "worried sick" when something’s wrong.
Simply put, we’re feeling nausea, and it is a very normal physiological response to stress. But it can also be a sign of illness and become chronic... Nausea is simply a common symptom of digestive distress.
But what do you do when your doctor tells you that there's nothing Western medicine can do to help you? Or when the Tums tablets just aren’t working anymore? Or when the symptoms keep getting worse despite the pharmaceuticals you’re taking?
Besides nausea, common digestive problems include chronic diarrhea and constipation, heart-burn, vomiting, bloating and gas. And other more serious problems include irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and diverticulitis, to name a few.
Some over-the-counter and prescription medications may give you temporarily relief from these symptoms, but they don’t offer you treatment to the underlying cause. Acupuncturists are trained in traditional Chinese medicine and can diagnose digestive problems, alleviate the symptoms and treat the root of the problems.
Actually, it is not uncommon for a Doctor of Chinese Medicine to know that you have a digestive problem without you telling him or her. Simply by diagnosing your face, tongue or pulse, it becomes evident to the trained acupuncturist that you need some help in that area.
The first defense against digestive disorders is to eat a healthy diet in a healthy way. A healthy diet means a balance of protein and vegetables. And in Chinese medicine it also means a balance of warm and cold properties of foods. Today, these are commonly referred to as acidic and alkaline foods. Coffee, for example, is very acidic, hard on the stomach and may interfere with our body's natural bowel movements. Consumed in excess, coffee can cause an upset stomach.
Another important thing to remember is to not overeat. This is a common cause of many digestive ailments, and although it may seem like an obvious point, many of us don't realize that that by the time we feel full, we’ve overdone it.
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If you are eating correctly, you have to make sure that there aren't any other factors that might be causing the problem. For example, if you are taking any prescription medications, look at the list of potential side effects. Many medications cause diarrhea or constipation as well as nausea and bloating.
If your problems are sudden, acute and severe, it could be a 24-hour virus or you may have eaten something that didn't agree with you, or even eaten too much at yesterday’s Sunday buffet! Flu viruses will generally pass within a day or so. But to be on the safe side, if you have severe nausea or vomiting that will not stop, have your physician's telephone number handy and don’t hesitate call if you suspect a life-threatening condition.
If you can’t figure out the cause of your chronic digestive problems your next step is to visit a trusted acupuncturist.
Acupuncture is a very safe and effective way to treat digestive problems. A typical session may last about an hour and includes the use of hair-thin needles inserted in carefully selected points, usually on the legs and the abdomen. In addition, Chinese herbal botanicals and other supplements may be prescribed to treat your condition.
Get started today and feel great again.
To book your first acupuncture treatment at our Ottawa location, simply call us at 613-216-2135 or click here to book online NOW !