Jay Goldstein, MD, Chief of Gastroenterology at NorthShore, recognizes that many people are looking for a more holistic approach for short-term symptomatic and transient digestive symptoms. While medical evidence is lacking, many people feel it necessary to try some simple home medications. Common actions taken by patients independent of their physician include:

1. Ginger has been suggested as an approach to help reduce nausea, vomiting, flatulence, bloating and diarrhea. Consider having ginger tea on hand to possibly help with these symptoms.
2. Peppermint may have anti-inflammatory properties and also may help with gas, bloating, cramps as well as nausea and vomiting. One way to obtain peppermint is with peppermint tea.
3. Apple cider vinegar is a popular non-medicinal approach to help reduce indigestion, gas, bloating or heartburn. Commonly, patients self-treat themselves by mixing 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of warm water and a dash of honey.
4. Probiotic foods such as Greek yogurt, kefir and tempeh may help aid in digestive problems such as diarrhea, bloating, flatulence and IBD.
5. Fennel seeds may help fight against heartburn, indigestion and bloating. Use of fennel can be done by sipping on fennel tea or adding fennel seeds to your meals.

Dr. Goldstein also shares some lifestyle modifications that may possibly help aid in better digestive health –– including heartburn and gas.

• Eat smaller portions of food
• Slow down when eating
• Bake, broil, grill or roast your food instead of frying
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Avoid spicy or acidic foods
• Stay away from caffeine or carbonation
• Add more fiber to your meals

These remedies and lifestyle modifications have no strong medical evidence to support their efficacy in controlling symptoms nor in the specific treating of serious medical issues. If these remedies are not working and even if they do to some extent, having persistent, recurrent or incomplete response of these symptoms necessitates that you contact your primary care physician.

How often do you experience digestive health problems? How do you take care of it?