Stomach and health problems- Digestive system

The one problem:

The stomach wound refused to heal completely. St. Martin refused any kind of operation that might close the stomach wall, preferring instead to get along with bandages in place of an intact wall. He did get along remarkably well, and cooperated with Beaumont, who decided to take advantage of the unfortunate situation to make some observations. It was this work that led to the isolation of hydro- chloric acid in the stomach. And from it came many other findings. Beaumont was able to note, for example, that the stomach became flushed with blood when St. Martin became angry and that it also moved about with considerable energy during anger.

Organic diseases-including ulcer, cancer, virus infection, food poisoning, and many otherscan, of course, affect the digestive system. You can protect the digestive system by taking many simple, sensible pre- cautions. For one thing, you can be sensible about the food you eat. If you know that some particular food does not agree with you, you should avoid it. If you happen to be a person with a sensitive colon, it may be that raw vegetables or fresh fruits trouble you. Some people are bothered unduly by such gas-forming foods as radishes, cabbage, cucumbers, and eggs. 

Alcoholic beverages may cause great difficulties for some sensitive people, leading to diarrhea or cramps in some and belching in others. Excessive smoking can upset the stomach.

The list of possible trouble- makers is long; individual sensitivities vary greatly. You need to, and can, be your own "alimentary tract detective." You should, of course, eat a balanced diet. Since such a diet will contain well-proportioned amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, without an excess of any, it will put less of a strain on anyone particular digestive function. 

Avoid rapid eating; the stomach works overtime in trying to handle a meal you did not take time to eat properly-and it may start sending out distress signals. None of us can be entirely free of tension. We're all subject on occasion to "nerves." But we can see to it that we make mealtime a reason- ably pleasant, relaxed time, as an aid to both enjoyment of food and its better digestion.