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Mercy gastroenterologist Dr. Richard Desi

Mercy Gastroenterologist Dr. Richard Desi Discusses Treating Stomach Upset

Unless you're lucky enough to have an iron-clad stomach, chances are you've probably had your share of tummy aches over the years.

Doctors say that's a common problem caused by various reasons, starting with what people put on their plates.

According to gastroenterologist Dr. Richard Desi of The Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy, sometimes it's food that triggers an upset stomach.

"Obviously, spicy foods are going to do it. Greasy, heavy, fatty foods and oily foods tend to slow down the emptying of the stomach and tend to cause more discomfort of the stomach," he said. "And citrusy foods you always have to be careful with -- things like orange juice or anything else that's kind of acidic."

Dr. Desi warned that if stomach pain continues, it's important to see a doctor to rule out a serious problem.

"Is there something else going on that this is a common occurrence? Some of those things may wind up being ulcer disease, gastritis or stomach cancer, which are less common. You want to make sure that that's not one of the cases, or any other digestive maladies that may be masking or mimicking themselves as an upset stomach," he said.

Stress also plays a part. That's why some people can enjoy foods that normally upset their stomachs when they're relaxed and on vacation. To view Dr. Desi’s interview with WBAL-TV11, click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/30332585/detail.html.