Hello,
Do you live a healthy life?
In this session, we will learn about indigestion.
Eating is very important in life, right?
But,,, what if you can’t digest it? It’s terrible just to imagine.
So, what is indigestion?
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, refers to a group of symptoms that are related to the discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen or chest, often accompanied by feelings of fullness, bloating, and nausea. These symptoms can be associated with eating, and they might be indicative of problems with digestion or the functioning of the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract.
Various causes of indigestion
- Overeating: Consuming large portions of food can overwhelm the stomach’s capacity to digest and process the meal, leading to discomfort and a feeling of fullness.
- Fatty and Spicy Foods: High-fat and greasy foods, as well as dishes containing strong spices, can irritate the stomach lining and trigger indigestion.
- Acid Reflux (GERD): Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn) and contributing to indigestion symptoms.
- Medications: Some medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, and certain antibiotics, can irritate the stomach lining and lead to indigestion.
- Stress and Anxiety: Emotional stress and anxiety can disrupt the normal digestive processes, leading to indigestion symptoms.
- Gastrointestinal Disorders: Conditions such as gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), peptic ulcers, and gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) can cause chronic indigestion.
- Infections: Infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which can affect the stomach lining, is associated with chronic indigestion and peptic ulcers.
- Functional Dyspepsia: This term is used when no specific underlying cause can be identified. It’s thought to involve abnormalities in the nerves and muscles of the digestive system.
- Eating Too Quickly: Consuming meals rapidly can lead to swallowing air and not allowing sufficient time for proper digestion, contributing to indigestion.
- Carbonated Drinks: Beverages that are carbonated can cause gas and bloating, leading to discomfort.
- Caffeine and Alcohol: Excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate indigestion.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and pressure from the growing uterus can lead to indigestion in pregnant women.
- Chronic Diseases: Conditions like diabetes and thyroid disorders can affect digestion and lead to indigestion.
- Obesity: Excess weight can increase pressure on the stomach and contribute to indigestion.
Some treatment
*Lifestyle Modifications:
- Dietary Changes: Avoid trigger foods that worsen symptoms, such as fatty, spicy, and acidic foods. Opt for a balanced diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
- Portion Control: Eat smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the load on the digestive system.
- Chew Thoroughly: Slow down while eating and chew food thoroughly to aid digestion.
- Avoid Late Meals: Finish eating at least a few hours before bedtime to prevent symptoms during sleep.
- Limit Carbonated Drinks: Cut down on carbonated beverages that can cause gas and bloating.
*Medications
- Antacids: Over-the-counter antacids can help neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief from heartburn and indigestion.
- Acid Blockers: H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce stomach acid production and can help manage acid reflux-related indigestion.
- Prokinetic Agents: These medications promote better movement of food through the digestive system and may be used in certain cases of indigestion.
- Anti-nausea Medications: For individuals with nausea as a symptom, anti-nausea medications might be prescribed.
*Herbal Remedies:
- Ginger: Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties and is known to help with digestion. Ginger tea or supplements may provide relief.
- Peppermint: Peppermint oil and tea can soothe the stomach and alleviate symptoms.
*Probiotics:
- Probiotic supplements or foods like yogurt can promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, potentially improving digestion.
*Stress Management
- Practicing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help manage indigestion triggered by stress and anxiety.
*Eliminating Trigger Factors:
- Identifying and avoiding specific triggers like certain foods, alcohol, or smoking can greatly improve symptoms.
Usually indigestion is temporary, but it’s very bad if you have chronic indigestion.
This is because it reduces nutrient absorption and can cause emotional pain and sleep disturbance.
So, let’s do a self-diagnosis.
Self-diagnosis of chronic indigestion
If it falls under more than 2 of the items below, and it lasts more than 3 months, I need to consult a doctor.
- feel full despite eating little.
- I can’t digest well after eating, and I feel abdominal bloating.
- Sometimes I feel nauseous.
- Sometimes I feel nauseous.
- I have a sore stomach.
- There’s heat in the pit of the stomach, and it’s tingling.
- The upper part of the ship is convex, and the intestines are well filled with gas.
Check it out.
In this session, we learned about indigestion. Let’s all eat delicious food without any inconvenience and live a happy life.
For our healthy life.