Digestive Issues

Managing common digestive issues

Gastric issues are problems that affect the stomach and intestines. They can cause discomfort, changes in bowel habits, pain, nausea, bloating, or heartburn. Common conditions include colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastritis.

Colitis

Colitis means inflammation, or swelling, of the colon, also called the large intestine. Colitis is a general term and doesn’t always mean ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Belly pain or cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Blood or mucus in the stool
  • Urgent need to have a bowel movement
  • Fever or fatigue in some cases

Ways to help manage colitis may include:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have diarrhea.
  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals if large meals worsen symptoms.
  • Avoid foods that seem to trigger symptoms, such as greasy foods, alcohol, caffeine, or very high-fiber foods during a flare.
  • Take medicines exactly as prescribed.
  • Keep follow-up visits with your healthcare provider.

Seek medical care right away if you have heavy rectal bleeding, severe belly pain, signs of dehydration, high fever, or ongoing diarrhea.

GERD

GERD happens when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe, also called the esophagus.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Heartburn
  • Sour or bitter taste in the mouth
  • Burning in the chest or throat
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Cough, hoarseness, or sore throat

Ways to help manage GERD may include:

  • Eat smaller meals.
  • Avoid lying down for two to three hours after eating.
  • Raise the head of your bed if symptoms happen at night.
  • Limit foods and drinks that trigger symptoms, such as spicy foods, fried foods, chocolate, peppermint, coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.
  • Maintain a healthy weight if recommended by your provider.
  • Take acid-reducing medicine only as directed.

Get urgent help if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, vomiting blood, black stools, or trouble swallowing.

IBS

IBS affects how the intestines work. IBS does not usually damage the intestines, but it can cause ongoing discomfort.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Belly pain or cramping
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or both
  • Feeling like a bowel movement is not complete 

Ways to help manage IBS may include:

  • Keep a food and symptom diary to find triggers.
  • Eat regular meals and avoid skipping meals.
  • Drink water throughout the day.
  • Limit foods that cause gas or bloating.
  • Ask your healthcare provider if a low-FODMAP eating plan, which avoids certain carbohydrates that can be difficult to digest. The plan is designed to help manage discomfort from bloating, gas, and pain.
  • Get regular physical activity if you are able.
  • Practice stress management, such as deep breathing, walking, or relaxation exercises.

Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms are new, worsening, or affecting daily life.

Gastritis

Gastritis is irritation or inflammation of the stomach lining.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Upper belly pain or burning
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Feeling full quickly
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bloating
  • Indigestion

Possible causes include:

  • Certain pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
  • Alcohol use
  • Infection with a bacteria called H. pylori
  • Severe stress from illness or injury
  • Other medical conditions

Ways to help manage gastritis may include:

  • Avoid alcohol if it worsens symptoms or if your provider recommends it.
  • Ask your healthcare provider before using aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
  • Eat smaller meals if your stomach feels upset.
  • Avoid foods that trigger pain or nausea.
  • Take prescribed medicine as directed.
  • Complete all antibiotics if you are treated for H. pylori.

Seek medical care right away if you vomit blood, have black or tar-like stools, feel faint, or have severe stomach pain.

General tips for managing gastric symptoms

  • Eat slowly and chew food well.
  • Choose smaller, more frequent meals if large meals cause symptoms.
  • Drink enough water.
  • Limit alcohol, tobacco, and foods that trigger symptoms.
  • Avoid lying down right after eating.
  • Keep a symptom diary with foods, stress levels, medicines, and bowel changes.
  • Take medicines only as directed.
  • Do not stop prescribed medicine without talking to your healthcare provider.
  • Schedule regular checkups if symptoms continue or return often.

When to call a healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider if you have:

  • Symptoms lasting more than a few days
  • Frequent heartburn
  • Ongoing diarrhea or constipation
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Ongoing nausea or vomiting
  • Blood in the stool
  • Symptoms that interfere with sleep, work, or daily activities

Get emergency care right away for:

  • Chest pain or trouble breathing
  • Severe belly pain
  • Vomiting blood
  • Black or bloody stools
  • Fainting or severe weakness
  • Signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, very little urination, or dry mouth

Quit smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. The effects begin soon after you stop smoking, though they are impacted by how long you have been a smoker before quitting.

The effects of quitting smoking include:

  • Reduced heart rate
  • Improved blood flow to your heart
  • Lower risk of heart attack
  • Lower risk of coronary heart disease

TRICARE East offers a free program, called Commit to Quit, that provides free resources to help beneficiaries quit tobacco and vaping. You can reach a nicotine cessation specialist at 877-414-9949 or visit Commit to Quit | TRICARE for more information. 

Live and on-demand webinars

We hold webinars to help you understand common health conditions and ways to improve unhealthy behaviors, which can lead to better treatment and positive changes.

View a schedule of live webinars and on-demand videos you can watch anytime.

Resources

See the Beneficiary care management resource guide, for more information.

Last Updated 10/20/2026