Tummy Tuck

PASTA for lunch, samosas at five, pizza for dinner and endless cups of coffee and tea in between. Or a work day that starts at 6 pm and ends...

PASTA for lunch, samosas at five, pizza for dinner and endless cups of coffee and tea in between. Or a work day that starts at 6 pm and ends when the sun rises. If that sounds familiar then stop wondering why your tummy8217;s acting up. It doesn8217;t have a chance!

The connection between work and your stomach
It8217;s the centre of your body8217;s biological rhythms. 8216;8216;Your body has a time for everything, including stomach secretions. If you work when you should be sleeping, have irregular eating habits and lose track of visits to the loo, you are disturbing your internal circadian rhythm,8217;8217; says Dr Anil Arora, senior consultant in gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. 8216;8216;That8217;s why more young people8212;largely call centre employees8212;are coming to us now.8217;8217;

But, no one works a nine-to-five day any longer.

That8217;s why you have to take more care of your health than your parents had to. There are two simple steps: First, learn to listen to your body. Then, act on what it says.

Acidity and indigestion
Pain, usually in the upper part of the abdomen, heartburn, flatulence, belching, burping.

Culprits: 8216;8216;Heavy meals, fat-rich foods, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are the main cause,8217;8217; says Dr Arora. Citrus foods, tomatoes, peppermint, chocolate and fried foods also weigh in. Stress, certain medication and being overweight increase the risks.

Aids: Commonly available antacids are the best OTC solution, says Dr Arora. Chewing on a clove, or having cold milk or vanilla ice-cream can ease symptoms.

	DRYING OUT
	Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urine and sweating, dry mouth, dizziness and fatigue PREVENTION: Carry a bottle of water wherever you go. Mix desired proportions of lemon juice, kala namak rock salt and brown sugar into water, chill and sip through the day. And binge on watermelon. Story continues below this ad

Future Sense: Nutritionist Dr Shikha Sharma suggests avoiding the foods that cause acidity. Also, go easy on carbs and stock up on fibre. Avoid lying down for four hours after a meal. Eat smaller meals more frequently. Add in 10-15 ml white bottle-gourd juice, amla, triphala, bel sharbat, cucumber juice, watermelon or musk melon

Diarrhoea
Upset stomach, vomiting

Culprits: Viruses, bacteria, food poisoning, stress, specific food sensitivities

Aids: Clear fluids8212;coconut water, nimbu paani with salt and sugar8212;light food, and lots of water. Avoid OTC medication, and let the illness run its course, says Dr Arora. For solid food, try khichdi.

Future Sense: Be careful with drinking water and avoid seafood, says Dr Arora. Cut down on meats, garlic and maida.

Constipation
Hard and infrequent stools

Culprits: Insufficient water and fibre, high-fat diet, certain medication prescription pain or cough medicine; lack of exercise.

Aids: Fruits like bael, guava, banana, papaya

Story continues below this ad

Future Sense: Add whole wheat, bran, vegetables and prunes to your diet and cut out or lower your intake of rice, cheese and high-fat foods. Avoid or reduce intake of maida and fried foods.

Bloating, flatulence
Uncomfortable heavy feeling, especially after eating.

Culprits: 8216;8216;It8217;s caused by fermentation of undigested food. A schedule that clashes with the biological clock worsens the problem,8217;8217; says Dr Arora. On the guilty list: Carbs and fat, also specific foods like white gram, channa, beans, cabbage, carbonated beverages and chewing gum.

Aids: Carry an ajwain decoction boil ajwain in water, cool and store and drink for immediate relief, says Dr Sharma.

Future Sense: Control intake of fibre, raw food and the foods listed above. 8216;8216;Work hours may make a regular lifestyle impossible, but stick to ghar ka khana, cooked in little oil and rich in protein,8217;8217; says Dr Arora.