There was probably a time you have experienced feeling an upset stomach immediately after eating followed by gas or bloating. That feeling is known as dyspepsia or indigestion. Indigestion is not considered an illness but a combination of symptoms that can be viewed as a sign of serious tummy problems.
Dyspepsia or indigestion is described by a feeling of uneasiness in the stomach or discomfort around the abdomen area. Indigestion happens when we eat too much or too fast.
Anyone can experience indigestion at any time. It is reported to have affected about 30 percent of the global population. Indigestion can also occur anytime especially after eating or drinking. Indigestion can also be caused by certain medical conditions.
What are the symptoms of indigestion?
The most common sign of indigestion is feelings of gas and bloating in the abdomen area along with the discomfort and pain. There are also other symptoms that indicate indigestion including:
– Burning sensations and stomach pain
– Heartburn
– Nausea or vomiting
– Constant burping
– Acidic or sour taste in the mouth
What are the causes of indigestion?
Eating and drinking and often poor lifestyle habits can lead to indigestion. Some of these causes include:
– Eating food at a fast pace
– Eating food excessively
– Consuming too much spicy or greasy foods
– Fatigue and stress
– Drinking too much caffeine
Individuals with health problems may also bring about indigestion. These medical conditions include:
– Acid reflux
– Ulcers
– Esophagitis
– GERD
– Allergic reactions
– Heart diseases like angina or heart attack
Often, certain medications can also trigger the cause of indigestion or dyspepsia. These medications include:
– Certain painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil, and Motrin
– Certain oral contraceptives or birth control pills
– Steroids (for men)
– Some antibiotics
– Medicines for thyroids
Indigestion diagnosis
When the symptoms of indigestion become prevalent, doctors would usually suggest for you to go through an upper endoscopy to look at the insides of your stomach thoroughly. They may also run some blood tests and suggest your stomach to be examined through an X-ray.
The following symptoms caused by indigestion or dyspepsia that requires medical attention include:
– Constant vomiting
– Loss of appetite
– Black or bloodied stool
– Eyes that appear yellow
– Breathing is shallow
– Abnormal sweating
– Chest pains when moving traveling to the jaw, necks or arms.
What are the ways to prevent indigestion from happening?
Although indigestion may indicate a stomach problem, there are ways to prevent it from occurring. The most effective method to avoid indigestion is to simply avoid the foods and circumstances that trigger it. If you are experiencing indigestion at random intervals, it is best to keep a food journal and take note of the foods that are causing it. Other suggestions would also include:
– Eat only what can be taken by the stomach and stop when you’re full
– Take your time when you are eating
– If acidic foods are the triggers, avoid them as much as possible. These foods would include citrus fruits, milk, and tomatoes.
– If you think stress is the trigger, practice breathing exercises and look for other techniques to help you manage your stress levels.
– If caffeine is the trigger, limit or avoid drinks that contain caffeine completely.
– Smoking can also be a trigger for indigestion. If you are smoking, avoid or quit the habit entirely.
– Alcohol can also aggravate the stomach’s lining, so take control of your alcohol consumption
– If you like to work out, make sure to do so one hour before or after a meal.
– Avoid going to bed immediately after eating as it may cause difficulty in breaking down food easily. Wait for at least a few hours after having your last meal before sleeping.
– For women, try and avoid wearing clothes that are too tight or that tucks in the stomach. Tight clothes can cause food contents to get to the esophagus.
Moreover, there are natural treatments you can try at home that are effective in managing or preventing indigestion. Below are seven easy organic remedies:
This vinegar is an old remedy that can help treat any ailments. Using apple cider vinegar can help reduce the symptoms of indigestion and boost proper digestion of food. It is possible through the enzymes, pectin and acetic acid it contains.
- Ginger
This herb has proven to help remedy any kind of stomach problems, indigestion included. Ginger is great to reduce the pain of an upset stomach and alleviate nausea. You can take it as a tea by boiling ginger and consume it two or three times a day.
Chamomile is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the muscles along the stomach lining. These properties can help relieve stomach pains and cramps following indigestion.
- Foods that contain probiotics
Yogurts are a good example of probiotic-rich food. The good live bacteria that is contained in yogurt can help relieve pains and reduce symptoms of indigestion.
- Clean Water
Regardless you are experiencing from indigestion or not, drinking lots of water is essential for good health. Drinking plenty of water can replace all the fluids that are lost from diarrhea and constant discharge caused by an upset stomach.
- Baking Soda
When you are experiencing indigestion, there are high levels of acid in your stomach. Baking soda can help because of its neutral properties that can lower stomach acid levels. You can add into your tea one teaspoon of baking soda to help relieve the discomfort from indigestion.
- Lemon Water
Drinking lemon water is also an effective method to remedy or relieve an upset stomach from indigestion. The properties in lemon juice are almost the same as the digestive juices that are found in the stomach. So, the liver will be tricked into producing bile and help the food pass through easily.
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