Remedies for Indigestion

There’s some simple lifestyle changes that might help treat indigestion

“Get to its root!” With very few exceptions, this is without a doubt the most reasonable and effective way to deal with problems—whether it be personal, organizational, or medical in nature. Obviously, the same can be said of indigestion (also known by its medical term, dyspepsia).

Indigestion is a very common medical condition affecting the digestive system. A person may experience it as a symptom of another illness, or as an adverse effect of drug intake, or quite simply as a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle pattern. Once accurately diagnosed and a cause is determined, proper treatment can begin. This article aims to provide possible treatment approaches based on the three general causes of indigestion mentioned above.

Treating Indigestion: Curing Underlying Diseases

When indigestion is caused by another illness, then it becomes more a symptom (possibly among others) of a disease (the medical term for this is non-functional dyspepsia). When this is the case, the treatment plan should target the causative illness. Now, once the underlying condition is successfully cured, the symptoms of indigestion will normally resolve.

Below are some relevant approaches:

 Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be used to decrease production of stomach acids.
 Antibiotics are useful if microbial infection is either the cause of or contributor to indigestion.
 Acid-suppressing medicines, commonly known as antacids, may be used to neutralize stomach acids.
 Surgery might be necessary in extreme cases; for example, if gastric ulcers develop complications such as perforations (holes) on the stomach wall, internal bleeding, or obstructions.

Obviously, a “one-size-fits-all approach” will not work since treatment plans will vary from one illness to another—each disease will simply have to be addressed individually. As such, it is beyond the scope of this article to discuss the available treatment plans for the various medical conditions that might cause indigestion. Instead, these will be discussed in-depth in separate articles.

Treating Indigestion: Managing Adverse Effects of Drug Intake

There are rather unfortunate cases when a person would suffer from indigestion because of medication—even prescription medicine. As such, indigestion becomes an adverse effect of drug intake (this is one reason why indigestion is so common).

In most cases, simply discontinuing use of the said drugs will alleviate the symptoms. However, if drug intake must not be discontinued—for example, maintenance medication for hypertension (known more commonly as high blood pressure)—then the symptoms of indigestion will just have to be managed (a matter of choosing the lesser between two evils).

Following are some suggested approaches:

 Try looking into viable non-drug substitutes when possible. For example, if you are suffering from arthritis, and anti-inflammatory drugs either cause of contribute to indigestion, then perhaps you can consult with your doctor and physical therapist about coming up with a therapeutic exercise plan to manage joint pain instead.
 If you absolutely must take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), then do so after a good meal. This way, your gastric acids would be working on helping digest your food instead of harming the mucosal lining of your stomach.
 If indigestion is caused by maintenance medication, in which case discontinuing intake of the drug is out of the question, then there is of course the symptomatic approach. In this case, your doctor may prescribe additional medication to relieve the symptoms of indigestion, thereby making it bearable.

Treating Indigestion: Dealing With Unhealthy Lifestyle Patterns

Of all the things that may cause or contribute to indigestion, unhealthy lifestyle patterns are perhaps the most prevalent. Quite ironically, while it is probably the one people have the most control over, it may also be the most difficult to manage depending on how deeply ingrained these lifestyle patterns are. In this case, treating indigestion becomes a matter of a person’s strength or weakness of will.

Following are some helpful lifestyle modifications to help deal with or prevent indigestion:

 Be careful what you put into your body:
 Stop smoking
 Eliminate, or at least minimize, intake of alcoholic, caffeinated, or carbonated beverages
 Manage your stress:
 Get enough rest and relaxation to deal with physical stress
 Find ways to help minimize emotional stress.
 Eat well:
 Eat slowly and refrain from overeating
 Chew with your mouth closed and refrain from talking while eating; this will help prevent you from swallowing too much air, which can aggravate the symptoms of indigestion
 Drink fluids after the meal instead of during it
 Regulate intake of citrus fruits and high-fiber food
 Refrain from spicy or fatty food
 Be mindful of regular activities:
 Refrain from late night meals
 Do not exercise immediately after a meal; instead, do it before or at least an hour after a meal
 Do not lie down immediately after a meal; schedule your sleep at least three hours after your last meal of the day
 Refrain from wearing tight-fitting clothes when you are planning on a heavy meal

Treating Indigestion

While indigestion may be due to a huge variety of causes, its treatment fortunately does not have to be a matter of “guess work”. Knowing exactly what to treat, as well as having the benefit of more than one approach to treatment, will go a long way to getting to the root of the problem of indigestion. Continue reading “How Do You Treat Indigestion?” »

Of course diagnosing indigestion begins with a doctor

If you suffer from indigestion, knowing that it is a very common condition is not very likely to make you feel better. The possibility that it might be pointing to the presence of other medical problems does not help either. Bottomline, you want to know for sure! After all, this is your health we are talking about.

Since indigestion may itself be a sign of an underlying medical condition, diagnosing it will essentially involve ruling out organic causes—meaning, diseases of the digestive system. This process of elimination is called “differential diagnosis”. If, after relevant diagnostic procedures are completed, it is determined there is no organic cause, the physician may then conclude that it is a case of functional dyspepsia.

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures for Indigestion

Diagnosis of indigestion normally begins with the standard interview by your doctor. Typical questions will be regarding signs and symptoms, present drug intake (especially if the suspected cause is adverse effects to medication), lifestyle patterns (if the suspect is an unhealthy lifestyle), and even family history (in the rare case that cancer is suspected). This is where differential diagnosis of indigestion starts.

By the time the interview is over your doctor will very likely already have a list of suspected causes. At this point he/she may recommend tests and procedures to start narrowing down the list, and which ones are used will depend on his/her suspicions. Following are some examples of tests and procedures useful for diagnosing indigestion:

 A stool examination will determine the presence of microbial infection, blood, or inflammation. In turn, this may help direct further diagnostic procedures.
 Blood tests are especially helpful if celiac disease is suspected.
 Breath hydrogen testing is used to determine bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines.
 Imaging procedures—such as X-ray, Abdominal Ultrasound, CT scan, CAT scan, and MRI—help identify possible structural problems in the digestive system. The ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI are particularly useful if non-gastrointestinal problems are suspected (gallstones for example).
 Endoscopies can also help identify structural problems, but it is even more useful when biopsies are required.
 A biopsy is a diagnostic procedure to help determine the presence and/or extent of tissue damage to any of the organs in the digestive system.
 Colonoscopy is basically endoscopy of the colon.
 Urea Breath Test may help confirm infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

Diagnosing Indigestion

Obviously, knowing the signs, symptoms, and causes of indigestion will always be helpful to you if you suffering from it. However, neither you nor your doctor will be able to come up with a truly effective treatment plan unless you arrive at a correct diagnosis…and especially so when indigestion is secondary to an organic cause. After all, this is your health we are talking about. Continue reading “How Do You Diagnose Indigestion?” »

How to understand what causes indigestion

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a very common problem of the digestive system that affects a huge number of people annually. Interestingly, indigestion is so common for the simple reason that so many things can either directly cause it or contribute to causing it. These causes can be neatly grouped into three general categories—underlying diseases, adverse effects of medication, and unhealthy lifestyle patterns.

Underlying Diseases

While indigestion has its own signs and symptoms, it may itself indicate the presence of an underlying disease. When this is the case, a successful treatment of the disease relieves the symptoms of indigestion. Following is a list of possible diseases that can cause indigestion:

 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
 Peptic Ulcer Disease
 Stomach cancer
 Abnormalities of the pancreas and bile duct
 Gallstones
 Gastritis
 Gastroparesis
 Irritable Bowel Syndrome
 Chronic Pancreatitis

Adverse Effects of Medication

There are instances when indigestion could not be avoided and must be managed instead. A very good example is when it results from the intake of medication. In such cases, indigestion is an adverse effect of a drug (this is essentially a case of choosing the lesser between two evils). Following are drugs that can cause indigestion:

 Calcium antagonists
 Nitrates
 Theophylline
 Bisphosphonates
 Corticosteroids / Steroid medication
 Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
 Antibiotics
 Aspirin
 Estrogen / Oral contraceptives
 Thyroid medicine

Unhealthy Lifestyle Patterns

Of the three general causes mentioned, this is perhaps the one that people who suffer from indigestion can have the most control over. Once these have been identified, one can then decide to either cease or minimize the unhealthy lifestyle patterns that can cause indigestion. In this case, management becomes a matter of discipline, or sacrifice, or lifestyle adjustment. Following are examples unhealthy lifestyle patterns that can cause indigestion:

 Too much alcohol intake
 Overeating
 Eating spicy, fatty, or greasy food
 Eating too fast
 Stress / Fatigue
 High fiber food
 Smoking
 Too much caffeine intake

Understanding the Causes of Indigestion

It is not difficult to understand, simply by reading through the above-listed causes, why indigestion is so common. From diseases of the digestive system, to intake of medication, to unhealthy lifestyle patterns, any person can easily experience its signs and symptoms just about anytime and anywhere. Continue reading “What Are The Causes of Indigestion?” »

UNDERSTANDING INDIGESTION

It is Saturday evening and you are on a dinner date with your wife.  You are done with the appetizers and are now digging into the main course when she leans forward to say she is surprised at how quickly you are gobbling up your meal.  “Oh, it was a stressful day and I’m famished,” you explain.

Twenty minutes into dinner—and with the meal barely half consumed—you start feeling full and unable to finish your food.  You begin complaining of a painful, burning sensation in your belly.  Your wife, with obvious concern, suggests a visit to the emergency room.  You agree and soon after are on an unexpected detour to the hospital.

The doctor sees to you and, after all the requisite procedures, says, “You had a case of indigestion.”  He assures you there is no need to worry, prescribes an antacid, and strongly recommends you manage your stress.  Relieved, you and your wife stop by the nearest pharmacy and promise to have another date the next Saturday…hopefully without another bout with indigestion.

What is Indigestion?

Indigestion is a common condition among adults characterized by a variety of signs and symptoms.  Its medical synonym, dyspepsia, means “difficult digestion”.  The term functional dyspepsia is used when there is no underlying illness to cause indigestion.

While it has its share of signs and symptoms, indigestion may itself be indicative of an underlying illness when it is accompanied by other abnormal manifestations.  These will be discussed in a separate article.

Signs and Symptoms

Indigestion is commonly characterized by one or a combination of the following signs and symptoms:

An uncomfortable feeling of fullness during or immediately after a meal

• A burning or painful sensation in the upper abdominal area (roughly the area between your lower breast bone and navel)
• Tenderness on the affected area upon palpation
• Bloating
• Belching and flatulence
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach growling

Understanding Indigestion

Indigestion can bring about a range or sensations—from a tolerable discomfort, to an irritating feeling, to a serious cause for concern.  For this reason, it should be understood and not just dismissed off-handedly.

Notes:

[1] The English term “dyspepsia” is derived from the Greek prefix δυσ (dys), which means “difficult”, and the word πέψις (pepsis), which means “digestion”.

Palpation, as a diagnostic procedure, is the use of the hands to touch, feel, or explore the patient’s affected area to help arrive at a diagnosis.

3 Simple Remedies for Indigestion

Believe it or not it is estimated that anywhere up to or even over 90 percent of Americans suffer from some form of indigestion at some stage. Whilst indigestion might not initially seem to be a problem, once it happens you you might change your mind. For this reason so many Americans are searching for safe and effective remedies for indigestion.

Digestion is one of the most important physiological processes in your body. It’s not just important to reduce the discomfort associated with indigestion for the sake of feeling better, improving the overall by digestion process is extremely important to your health.

It is through the process of digestion that your body absorbs various essential nutrients. Whilst eating well, or in other words eating the right foods that will provide you with all of the appropriate nutrients, is very important, it is only half the equation. If you eat the right foods but the nutrients aren’t adequately digested and absorbed into your system then you are not getting the optimum result from a good diet.

So poor digestion is not just a question of discomfort, it also affects your overall health.

Whilst there are medical conditions which may cause indigestion it is also possible to cause it through various eating habits, as well as what you eat. Lets look at 3 important tips to help improve your digestion and reduce the discomfort associated with indigestion as well as to improve the likelihood that your body will properly absorb the nutrients in your food.

1. Eat Slowly and Carefully.

You may have heard that it’s important to chew every mouthful of food 30 times. Whilst we’re not suggesting that you count every single chew (which could become extremely tedious) we are suggesting that the basic principle behind this is good.

Many people gobble their food too fast. Maybe you’re late for the game, maybe your favourite television program is about to begin or maybe it’s just a bad habit. But for so many people a meal is something to get over with as fast as possible.

The entire process of digestion begins in your mouth. Through the process of chewing you break down the food into much smaller pieces making it easier to digest. If you don’t chew enough the food is left in large pieces which are more difficult to digest.

One of the best ways to slow down your meal is to make it an important occasion. Eat with other people and see it as an opportunity for social contact or family contact, and something to be relished rather than something to be at an end as soon as possible.

2. Cook Your Food.

Some research has shown that eating raw food may be better for you because the nutrients in food can be leached out, changed or destroyed in the cooking process. However the cooking process breaks down the cellulose in the walls of cells in raw food. The nutrients are found in the cells, and cooking helps begin the process of releasing the nutrients.

People do not digest cellulose well. In fact eating raw food can actually reduce the likelihood of extracting all the nutrients from the food because much of it is not sufficiently released because the cellulose has not been sufficiently digested to release it.

That’s not to say you should cook your food within an inch of its life. Overcooked food is lifeless and dull and and uninteresting. Particularly when you’re cooking vegetables make sure they are not cooked until they are mush.

3. Experiment with What You Eat, And Keep a Diary

Different foods affect the digestive process differently in different people. For example very spicy foods can cause severe indigestion for some people whilst others can eat them all day long with no ill effects.

Buy a notebook and make a note of what you ate each day when you suffered from indigestion. Keep a digestion diary, remember to update it every day when you suffer from indigestion, and after a significant period of time, namely after quite a few instances when you’ve suffered, go through your diary and try and identify foods which are common to many or all of the days when you suffered bad digestion.

Try eliminating those foods from your diet. See if that helps. Eliminate the foods one by one, not all in one go, if there is more than one food that is common to all days of indigestion, so that you can be certain of which food has made a difference and which has not. Continue reading “3 Important Tips to Better Digestion” »

What are the causes and symptoms of indigestion?

We have already discussed digestion and how the digestive process works. But today we wanted to look at what indigestion is and also suggest that one of the best remedies for indigestion is to prevent it.

Normal digestion happens without you thinking about it. After you’ve eaten a meal your body gets on with digesting your food and providing itself with all of the energy and nutrients that it needs entirely unconsciously.

But sometimes the digestive process doesn’t work quite so well, and that is the time that you become aware of it. You become aware of it because you are suffering from the symptoms of indigestion, or what can also be called dyspepsia.

It’s basically an upset stomach. Sometimes it can be mistaken for a heart attack, but any competent medical professional can quickly tell the difference.

The symptoms of indigestion can range from mild upset through to severe pain and heartburn and nausea. Symptoms can also include bloating and excess gas.

Heartburn is in fact a misnomer, it has nothing to do with your heart and everything to do with your stomach.

Anyone suffering from indigestion in particular from heartburn knows that it can be extremely irritating and painful. Sometimes the causes of indigestion are simple, as are the remedies, and sometimes more complex.

One of the more common causes of indigestion is simply eating too fast. If you’re eating lunch and you’re late for an appointment and you gobble your lunch down too fast this can cause it.

Your diet can also cause indigestion, particularly when it is high in fatty or spicy foods. Other dietary causes can include too much alcohol, and smoking, anxiety and pregnancy are also common causes.

And then after that comes a wide range of medical conditions, many of which can have side effects of causing indigestion. A peptic ulcer, cancer, gastro-oesophageal disease and many many more can also cause this problem.

If you believe you are suffering from indigestion, or if you are concerned about your health for any reason, you should always consult your doctor first to explore the possibility of a serious underlying medical condition.

Often though it’s a simple matter of changing some eating habits, or what you eat.

The symptoms of heartburn can be quite unpleasant. For a range of reasons the acids in your stomach are forced back up through the oesophagus, and whilst the stomach is well protected from burning by acid the oesophagus is not so well protected and the burning sensation is what is called heartburn. It is actually the sensation of burning from the stomach acids in the oesophagus, and is called acid reflux. Continue reading “What Is Indigestion” »