5 facts to help you listen to your digestive system

Our digestive systems are often the most vocal parts of our bodies, but that doesn't mean we always understand what it's saying. Here's some facts about our stomachs that could help you know why you're experiencing indigestion, heartburn and more.

• The digestive system has a relatively small repertoire of symptoms: nausea, vomiting, pain (such as heartburn), bloating, cramping, diarrhea, constipation and flatulence.
• The onset of such symptoms may be simply a normal response to an unusual meal.

• Symptoms are often associated with some lifestyle factor, such as eating an improper diet or dealing with the stresses of daily life.
• Excitement, disappointment, fear, anxiety and other strong emotions can cause some upset in the digestive system.
• This should not cause alarm if it is transient.

The digestive system has a limited set of symptoms for expressing distress. The same symptoms may reflect any one of a number of very serious disorders, including:

• Gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach lining
• Inflammatory intestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• Diverticulitis, an inflammation and infection of small sacs protruding from the intestinal wall
• Irritable bowel syndrome, a functional disorder that affects movement within the intestines
• Cancer anywhere in the digestive tract

Nausea and vomiting may be triggered by some of the following scenarios:

• An adverse reaction to a medication
• Emotional upset
• Mild viral infection
• Ear disorder
• Migraine headache and motion sickness
• Other serious disorders, including a heart attack or intestinal obstruction

• Some herbs are known to help troubled digestion.
• Ginger is reputed to ease nausea.
• Many of the herbs and spices traditionally used in cooking aid digestion.
• Chamomile tea or angostura bitters, a tincture of the bitter gentian root, also may help.
• A small amount of bitters can promote digestion and alleviate flatulence.
• Herbs known to help aid digestion include mint, dill, caraway, horseradish, bay, chervil, fennel, tarragon, marjoram, cumin, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom.

Digestive issues, like stomach aches and heartburn, are frequently experienced by many people. But by learning a little bit more about your digestive system, you could find some relief, and get to the real reasons for your indigestion.