Indigestion in the body, also known by the name dyspepsia, is the term used when a person has symptoms such as a burning sensation or general discomfort in the abdomen after eating. Indigestion is also the sense of feeling too full after a meal. Indigestion is found more commonly in adults; and can occur occasionally in a person or in some cases can occur every day. Often, repetitive or frequent indigestion is the sign of an underlying medical condition, so as usual it is best for a person to consult their physician if indigestion persists.
What causes indigestion?
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a term used to describe symptoms including a feeling of fullness, discomfort or a burning sensation in the abdomen after meals. It is most common in adults and can occur occasionally or every day. Often these symptoms can be managed and suppressed with the appropriate medication or dietary changes. Frequent indigestion can often be the sign of a more serious underlying condition, so it”s best to consult your doctor if the problem persists.
The causes of indigestion
The causes of indigestion in the body can vary greatly. They can occur from eating habits, lifestyle choices, and simply from the body having a digestive condition. Common causes of indigestion include a person overeating or eating too many of the wrong foods in a short time. Alcohol, chocolate, fatty, and spicy foods are all items that cause an issue when consuming too much of in a short time. Lifestyle choices can also affect this with things such as smoking, fatigue, and stress playing a role as causes.
A person’s indigestion can be an indicator that there is a more serious medical condition present in the digestive tract. Some of the more serious conditions that can cause this are things such as gallstones, peptic ulcers, possibly having irritable bowel syndrome, and in some extreme cases having stomach cancer. In the rare instances where there is no direct cause able to be found, it is a possible that for functional dyspepsia to be the cause. This occurs when the stomach is unable to properly accept food, and has issues digesting and passing food on to the small intestine.
Prevention
If a serious medical condition is not causing indigestion then treatment is as simple as correcting a few lifestyle and dietary choices. A person can improve their digestive system by eating a large amount of fiber each day. Avoiding foods that create excess gas in the body will also help. These include items such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, and carbonated beverages. Regular exercise and an effort to lower surrounding stress will also benefit indigestions problem, and generally improve the quality of life as well.
Treating Indigestion
Mild indigestion in the body, while inconvenient, is nothing to run to your doctor about. However: if the pain persists for long periods of time, or feels crippling, then clearly a visit to your doctor to discuss treatment possibilities is needed. In the short time, antacids will provide immediate relief to mild, or even moderate, symptoms. Antacids will not assist if the indigestion is caused by a more serious problem though. If the indigestion is a result of acid reflux, alginates can help tackle the resulting indigestion. These alginates act as a protective barrier to the stomach, and prevent stomach acid from crossing over to irritate the esophagus. If indigestion remains persistent, then stronger counter measures such as H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors are the measures of the day.
Aside from medication, there are steps that can be taken at home to provide a more natural relief. Mint, ginger, and fennel seeds are commonly accepted natural remedies to assist with dyspepsia. In specific cases where indigestion is resulting by a lacking number of digestive enzymes in the stomach, this can be fixed by taking digestive enzyme supplements.
As always, consult your doctor before starting any new medications, and to see what the true cause for your indigestion is.
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