Are There Indigestion Solutions?

Indigestion is a term used to describe a feeling of fullness or discomfort during or after a meal. It can be accompanied by burning or pain in the upper stomach, belching, gas, nausea, vomiting, acidic taste, heartburn and abdominal pain. Indigestion is often a sign of a bigger problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or gallbladder disease. These symptoms may increase in times of stress.

The causes of indigestion usually relate to disease, medication or lifestyle. Diseases such as ulcers, GERD, stomach cancer, gastroparesis, stomach infections, irritable, IBS, chronic pancreatitis, and thyroid disease can cause indigestion. Medications such as aspirin, painkillers, estrogen, oral contraceptives, steroid medications, certain antibiotics and thyroid medicines can also cause indigestion. Finally, there are many lifestyle factors that can play a part in indigestion. Eating too much, too fast or during a stressful situation can be irritating. High-fat foods, alcohol and smoking can all cause discomfort. Stress, fatigue and lack of exercise can trigger indigestion. Pregnancy is also a cause.

Often, episodes of indigestion go away within hours without any treatment. However, if your indigestion symptoms become worse over time, a closer look at the causes is in order. Here are some ways to help relieve indigestion. Try not to chew with your mouth open, talk while chewing, or eat too fast. This causes you to swallow too much air, which can aggravate indigestion. Drink fluids after rather than during meals. Avoid late-night eating. Try to relax after meals. Avoid spicy foods. Stop smoking. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Preventing indigestion by keeping a food journal can be helpful in identifying foods that cause indigestion. Other ideas for prevention include:

..Eat small meals so the stomach does not have to work as hard or as long.
..Eat slowly.
..Avoid foods that contain high amounts of acids, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes.
..Reduce or avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine.
..If stress is a trigger for your indigestion, re-evaluating your lifestyle may help to reduce stress. ..Learn new methods for managing stress, such as relaxation and biofeedback techniques.
..Smokers should consider quitting smoking, or at least not smoking right before or after eating, as smoking can irritate the stomach lining.
..Cut back on alcohol consumption because alcohol can irritate the stomach lining.
..Avoid wearing tight-fitting garments because they tend to compress the stomach, which can cause its contents to enter the esophagus.
..Do not exercise with a full stomach. Rather, exercise before a meal or at least one hour after eating a meal.
..Do not lie down right after eating.
..Wait at least three hours after your last meal of the day before going to bed.
..Raise the head of your bed so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. You can do this by placing 6-inch blocks under the bedposts at the head of the bed. Don’t use piles of pillows to achieve the same goal. You will only put your head at an angle that can increase pressure on your stomach and make heartburn worse.

SOURCE:

http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/indigestion

http://www.depsyl.com/http://back2basicnutrition.com/

http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/