Russ Spence
Commercial Pressure Wash Expert
BURNING IN THE CHEST
Where it hurts: Esophagus; possibly throat.
How it feels: Burning pain, a sour taste in your mouth, belching, and regurgitation.
DIY diagnosis:Acid reflux , the result of stomach acid sneaking into your esophagus.
Your strategies
op a piece of (nonpeppermint) gum. Chewing stimulates saliva, which is chock-full of bicarbonate, your body's natural acid neutralizer. Get scoped. Feel the burn more than twice a week? You probably have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can lead to esophageal cancer, says Harris Clearfield, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Drexel University. Ask your doctor for an endoscopy to check for Barrett's esophagus, a collection of precancerous cells in your lower esophagus.
A SORE GUT
Where it hurts: Appendix, the lower right abdomen.
How it feels: Tenderness or sudden sharp pain; possible fever, nausea, swelling, vomiting, or constipation.
DIY diagnosis: Appendicitis.
Your strategy:Head to the hospital. You need surgery to remove the offending organ.
GURGLING INTESTINES
Where it hurts: Tail end of the lower intestine.
How it feels: Gurgling, cramping, gas, and diarrhea.
DIY diagnosis: Food poisoning caused by uninvited bacteria.
Your strategies:Go dark. The flavonoids in dark chocolate can limit the amount of fluids secreted in the small intestine, relieving mild symptoms.
Add a pinch of prevention. Flavor your marinades and burgers with garlic, onion, allspice, or oregano. These tasty antimicrobials kill bacteria, such as E. coli.
A SOUR STOMACH
Where it hurts: Stomach, below the rib cage.
How it feels: Rhythmic, burning pain when you're hungry.
DIY diagnosis: An ulcer. Painkillers and the bacteria Helicobacter pylori could be culprits.
Your strategy:Nix NSAIDs. Aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen impair your stomach's defenses, letting acid burn through the lining. Treating pain? Take them with food. But pop baby aspirin for your heart, says Michael Wolfe, M.D.
A STITCH IN YOUR SIDE
Where it hurts: Gallbladder, in the upper right abdomen, near the bottom of your ribs.
How it feels: Steady, sharp pain that rapidly intensifies for 30 minutes or more.
DIY diagnosis: Gallstones — cholesterol that has hardened to form small pellets.
Your strategies:Sound them out. Ask your doctor for an ultrasound of your gallbladder. Most stones can be removed laparoscopically. Cut the fat. Preventing gallstones is the only way to avoid surgery. Your best defense is your diet. Men who eat the most saturated fat (who usually have large waistlines) have the greatest risk.
CLOGGED PLUMBING
Where it hurts: The lower section of your intestines, just below your navel.
How it feels: Uncomfortably full, yet your bowels won't budge.
DIY diagnosis: Constipation.
Your strategies:Swig seltzer. Drinking carbonated water relieves constipation, according to Italian researchers. Hit the road. Research from the University of Washington shows that regular exercise helps your body move stool through the intestines.
Where it hurts: Esophagus; possibly throat.
How it feels: Burning pain, a sour taste in your mouth, belching, and regurgitation.
DIY diagnosis:Acid reflux , the result of stomach acid sneaking into your esophagus.
Your strategies
op a piece of (nonpeppermint) gum. Chewing stimulates saliva, which is chock-full of bicarbonate, your body's natural acid neutralizer. Get scoped. Feel the burn more than twice a week? You probably have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can lead to esophageal cancer, says Harris Clearfield, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Drexel University. Ask your doctor for an endoscopy to check for Barrett's esophagus, a collection of precancerous cells in your lower esophagus.A SORE GUT
Where it hurts: Appendix, the lower right abdomen.
How it feels: Tenderness or sudden sharp pain; possible fever, nausea, swelling, vomiting, or constipation.
DIY diagnosis: Appendicitis.
Your strategy:Head to the hospital. You need surgery to remove the offending organ.
GURGLING INTESTINES
Where it hurts: Tail end of the lower intestine.
How it feels: Gurgling, cramping, gas, and diarrhea.
DIY diagnosis: Food poisoning caused by uninvited bacteria.
Your strategies:Go dark. The flavonoids in dark chocolate can limit the amount of fluids secreted in the small intestine, relieving mild symptoms.
Add a pinch of prevention. Flavor your marinades and burgers with garlic, onion, allspice, or oregano. These tasty antimicrobials kill bacteria, such as E. coli.
A SOUR STOMACH
Where it hurts: Stomach, below the rib cage.
How it feels: Rhythmic, burning pain when you're hungry.
DIY diagnosis: An ulcer. Painkillers and the bacteria Helicobacter pylori could be culprits.
Your strategy:Nix NSAIDs. Aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen impair your stomach's defenses, letting acid burn through the lining. Treating pain? Take them with food. But pop baby aspirin for your heart, says Michael Wolfe, M.D.
A STITCH IN YOUR SIDE
Where it hurts: Gallbladder, in the upper right abdomen, near the bottom of your ribs.
How it feels: Steady, sharp pain that rapidly intensifies for 30 minutes or more.
DIY diagnosis: Gallstones — cholesterol that has hardened to form small pellets.
Your strategies:Sound them out. Ask your doctor for an ultrasound of your gallbladder. Most stones can be removed laparoscopically. Cut the fat. Preventing gallstones is the only way to avoid surgery. Your best defense is your diet. Men who eat the most saturated fat (who usually have large waistlines) have the greatest risk.
CLOGGED PLUMBING
Where it hurts: The lower section of your intestines, just below your navel.
How it feels: Uncomfortably full, yet your bowels won't budge.
DIY diagnosis: Constipation.
Your strategies:Swig seltzer. Drinking carbonated water relieves constipation, according to Italian researchers. Hit the road. Research from the University of Washington shows that regular exercise helps your body move stool through the intestines.