Antacids should not be used over a long period of time -- they can eventually cause even greater problems by upsetting the body's acid/alkaline balance. As well, some antacids still contain aluminum -- a metal it is wise to avoid.

Dietary changes and stress reduction are the best long-term solution for an overactive stomach. Corrective dietary measures will vary from individual to individual, but may include eating several small meals containing protein each day; learning to combine foods properly for optimal digestion; and minimizing stomach irritants such as alcohol, coffee, tea, colas and concentrated sugars.

Overactive stomach (too much hydrochloric acid) is much less common than underactive stomach. Your stomach discomfort will NOT begin immediately after a meal but anywhere from 45 minutes up to 5 to 6 hours later. It may even wake you up in the night and it is likely to be in the upper abdominal area. If you have an overactive stomach you may find that drinking milk or eating a snack relieves the discomfort or pain. You may have noticed stomach pain also when you were upset or tense. If you do have these symptoms, you should see your doctor, to rule out the possibility of an ulcer.

The following advice will not conflict with any medication your doctor prescribes. Eliminate or cut back on coffee, tea, soft drinks (especially colas), alcohol, tobacco (smokers have a high incidence of ulcers), sweets, NutraSweet (or any artificial sweeteners), processed foods, pasteurized dairy foods, red meat (and other fatty foods), white flour and aspirin --as these will aggravate your problem.

Try not to eat when your are feeling stressed.

Eat easily digested fresh foods high in vegetable fibre -- leafy greens, raw and steamed vegetables (at least five to six one-half cup servings daily); non-acidic fruits such as apples, peaches and bananas; brown rice and other whole grains; fresh yogurt and other cultured foods like miso or kefir. Try to get more of your protein from vegetable sources like soy foods, sprouts, black beans, whole grains, raw nuts and seeds (if they do not irritate your stomach), etc. -- while cutting back on red meat. Sea food, fish, eggs and low fat yogurt are also good protein sources. Raw cabbage juice is very healing to the stomach, as is aloe vera. Ask about aloe vera juice or aloe concentrate at your health food store. You may find relief in eating frequent small meals during the day instead of three larger meals. Always chew food thoroughly. Never rush your meals. Do not eat late in the evening.

A green food powdered supplement that is dissolved in water or diluted juice would be an excellent supplement for you. It would give you a quick green boost (minerals) and, since it is a food-source supplement, it is easily absorbed. Wheat grass, barley grass, sometimes alfalfa, spirulina and chlorella are the main ingredients. They supply an extra boost of vegetable protein, minerals, a wide range of vitamins and chlorophyl (good for your liver). Wakunaga Kyo-Green would be a good one to try (it's not too expensive) but there are others available if you can't find it. Green superfoods are really good fatigue fighters, too -- and can help prevent food cravings when taken between meals.

Stress, especially repressed emotions, is often a factor in an overactive stomach. For some people, stress modification techniques such as meditation, biofeedback, yoga, massage therapy and acupuncture have all been very effective for improving an acidic stomach.

Allergies are often associated with overacidity and ulcers. Does your chart also show the possibility of allergies?

It's important to correct nutritional deficiencies in order to improve digestion and the best way is by eating foods rich in the nutrients you need. Supplements (pills) should not be taken until after the symptoms of an overactive stomach have improved. However, you may take the green drink right away, since it is a food-source supplement (not a pill).

There are some very effective, safe herbal compounds which may improve digestive disorders, but I think they should be prescribed by a naturopath, or another holistic doctor.