Practical ways to manage common GI symptoms

While not all side effects can be avoided, many people find that small changes help reduce how intense symptoms feel.

For nausea:

– Avoid strong smells, especially around mealtimes

– Try plain crackers, mint, or ginger-based foods or drinks

– Some people find these work best about 30 minutes after taking their medication

For vomiting:

– Focus on staying well hydrated

– Choose smaller meals more often instead of large portions

For diarrhea:

– Drink plenty of water

– Temporarily avoid dairy products and very high-fibre foods until symptoms improve

For constipation:

– Increase fiber slowly rather than all at once

– Make sure to drink enough fluids alongside fiber

General tips:

– Eat slowly and stop when you feel full

– Keep portion sizes smaller

– Avoid vigorous activity immediately after eating

Gradual dose increases and personalized dietary adjustments can also help, especially when guided by a healthcare provider.

When symptoms don’t settle

For some people, digestive symptoms persist even after the adjustment phase. Bloating, gas, constipation, or discomfort may continue or come and go unpredictably.

In these cases, it can help to look beyond the symptom itself and explore what might be happening during digestion. Slower gut motility can change how food is fermented in the gut, which may contribute to ongoing discomfort.

The role of tracking digestion and fermentation

Keeping track of symptoms can be surprisingly helpful. Even simple notes can start to reveal patterns, such as whether symptoms tend to be worse:

– After certain meals

– Later in the day

– When eating quickly or having larger portions

– When hydration is low

For some people, symptoms don’t just come and go – they follow a pattern. When bloating, gas, or discomfort persist, tracking can add another layer of clarity by helping you see how digestion may be changing over time.

AIRE 2 was designed to support people with SIBO by helping them track breath hydrogen and methane trends and see how these readings change with dietary adjustments or supplement routines. This kind of tracking doesn’t replace medical care, but it can help people better understand their own responses and bring more specific information into conversations with a healthcare provider.

In the US, FoodMarble Healthcare also provides access to SIBO breath testing through a healthcare professional, allowing testing and next steps to be guided clinically – including for people using GLP-1 medications who are experiencing ongoing digestive symptoms.