We often get an uneasy feeling after we have had a heavy meal or when we eat after a long interval accompanied by recurrent or persistent pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. This condition is referred to as indigestion or dyspepsia. Indigestion is not a disease by itself, but an indication of some underlying problem. Indigestion can be caused by GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), ulcers, gallbladder disease, or other gastrointestinal problems.
Symptoms of Indigestion
The various symptoms that manifest when you are suffering from indigestion are:
- Acid reflux
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Gas formation and Belching
- Growling in the stomach and abdominal pain
- Burning sensation in the stomach
- Bloated feeling in the stomach
- Burping
- Diarrhea or constipation
These symptoms may aggravate during times of anxiety and stress.
Causes of Indigestion
The causes of indigestion could be multifarious. It could occur due to underlying medical conditions, faulty lifestyle and food choices, or even from regular intake of certain medications.
Medical Causes of Indigestion
The medical causes include:
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Stomach or duodenal ulcers
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Infections in the stomach
- Thyroid malfunction
- Pancreatitis
- Gastroparesis(delayed gastric emptying)
- Gall bladder disease
- Pregnancy
Medications That Cause Indigestion
Many strong medicines cause indigestion. These include:
- Painkillers
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Steroidal medications
- Thyroid medications
- Strong antibiotics
- Dietary supplements like iron
- Oral contraceptives
Lifestyle Choices that Cause Indigestion
The lifestyle we have come to adopt is filled with factors that cause indigestion. We do not follow any set time schedule, we eat at odd hours or sometimes do not eat even when hungry, and the type of food we finally choose to eat have a big role to play in causing us ample discomforts like indigestion. The major culprits are:
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Excess caffeine intake
- Intake of greasy and spicy foods
- Eating in a hurry or when stressed
- Eating large-sized meals
- Excess carbonated beverages
- Excess alcohol intake
- Tobacco and Cigarette
Diagnostic Tests for Indigestion
Indigestion may be a symptom with or without underlying medical condition. In order to ascertain any underlying problems, doctors may conduct certain tests.
- To determine the presence of the bacteria helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the following tests are ordered:
- Blood test
- Breath test
- Stool test
- To determine any abnormality present in the upper abdomen, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is carried out.
- If one cannot undergo an endoscopy, x-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine is taken.
- To determine if the abdominal structure and blood flow are normal, an abdominal ultrasound is carried out.
- Another diagnostic tool is an abdominal CT scan.
- If your doctor does not find an answer from blood tests, endoscopy, or imaging tests, a gastric emptying study might be recommended.
Treatment Methods to Relieve Indigestion
Medications
Based on the patient's symptoms and where it is stemming from, different classes of medications are prescribed. The medications that relieve indigestion are:
- Antacids
- H2 receptor antagonists
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Prokinetics
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
Lifestyle Changes
To relieve yourself from indigestion, you can incorporate various lifestyle modifications, such as:
- Eat smaller and frequent meals
- Chew your food slowly and thoroughly
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Chew with your mouth closed
- Avoid talking while chewing
- Do not lie down right after eating.
- Avoid late night eating
- Drink around 3 liters of liquid
- Avoid fatty and spicy foods
- Avoid carbonated and caffeinated beverages
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Medium-paced post-meal walks(these aid better digestion)
- Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, pranayama, and yoga to avoid stress.
Other Lifestyle Tips
- Eating fast can cause swallowing too much air, which can aggravate indigestion. Therefore, eat your food slowly.
- Tight-fitting garments tend to compress the stomach, which cause its contents to enter the esophagus. Therefore, wear loose clothes while sleeping.
- Raise the head of your cot at least 6 inches higher than the leg side of your cot, or use pillows to prop your upper body up. This enables digestive juices to flow in the right direction, your intestine, rather than shooting up to the esophagus, causing heartburn.
Early on in life, if we realize the importance of the lifestyle changes we choose to make, a lot of discomfort can be avoided later. Of course, sometimes unfortunate underlying causes may show up. Even so, awareness helps in early detection and treatment of such ailments.
