Indigestion, the very thought that makes you feel uneasy, is usually an ache in the upper part of the stomach that comes with burping, bloating, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. Minor health issues are normal until they don't make their presence felt for a longer duration and interfere with your everyday life. Though this blog may not be an alternative to medical advice, we will shed some light on everything you should know about indigestion adding in the reasons, symptoms, treatment, and also home remedies for Indigestion.
What is indigestion?
Indigestion, also known as gastritis, is a symptom as well as a cause in itself. It's a discomfort with a feeling of fullness and at times may cause a burning sensation in the upper abdomen. Nausea or vomiting may or may not follow indigestion.
Indigestion may be a cause in itself when it happens because of overeating, eating spicy or oily foods, or eating something that your tummy can't digest. Indigestion may be due to other severe stomach issues like peptic ulcer, colitis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
What causes indigestion?
There may be various reasons for indigestion, like:
Foods: Fatty, spicy, oily, or highly acidic foods can cause irritation to the lining of the stomach, resulting in indigestion.
Habits: Taking a puff of smoke or a sip of alcohol may make you happy, but makes your tummy feel miserable. Smoking and alcohol disturb the normal digestion, causing dyspepsia.
Anxiety and Stress: Emotional state has a lot to do with your digestive system. Stress and anxiety may impact how your digestive tract functions.
Side effects: If you are on certain medications such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, indigestion may be due to the side effects of these medications.
Medical Conditions: Indigestion may be a symptom of any other severe problem like Crohn's disease, GERD, peptic ulcer, gastritis, or pancreatitis.
Symptoms of indigestion
Each individual may experience a different symptom or a combination of symptoms when he or she suffers from indigestion, but a few common symptoms are:
- Stomach distention
- Gas formation
- Burping
- Nausea or vomiting
- Acid reflux
How to treat indigestion?
Treatments are based on symptoms and causes of indigestion. A few options that can be considered are:
Home Remedies for Indigestion: Grandma's home remedies comprise natural ingredients like fennel seeds, ginger, cumin, coriander, cardamom, and lemon juice. Drinking ginger tea calms down an upset stomach. Fennel, cumin, coriander, and cardamom seeds improve digestion. Lemon juice reduces acidity. These remedies are passed down from generation to generation and are still found helpful and effective in minor tummy upsets.
Ayurvedic Medicine for Indigestion: Ayurvedic herbal medications like Udar Sanjivani that come in tablet and syrup forms help in providing quick relief from indigestion. Ayurvedic treatment for indigestion includes herbal remedies that promote digestion, improve the absorption of nutrients, and balance the body's life force, called doshas. Keep Udar Sanjivani indigestion tablets or syrup handy to get rid of digestive issues.
Practitioners of Ayurveda advise lifestyle changes and dietary alterations as per an individual's body constitution to maintain a healthy digestive system. Foods like onion and garlic, fatty and spicy foods, and carbonated drinks that trigger acidity, gas, or indigestion are recommended to be avoided.
When to make a doctor's appointment?
In severe cases of stomach pain or complications like difficulty with swallowing, unusual weight loss, blood in stools, or vomitus, immediate medical attention is always needed.
Prevention is better than cure
Consume meals in proper intervals. Don't skip meals. Intermittent fasting is good for health, but if you have any medical condition, get proper advice from a medical practitioner.
While eating, keep your phone away and switch off your television.
Quitting smoking and limiting alcoholic drinks will make your gut happy.
Water not only hydrates your body but also keeps your digestive tract lubricated, helping with the easy evacuation of toxic waste from your body.
Wrap-up
Indigestion is a known problem of the digestive system that may disturb your day. It can be managed with a few changes in your food habits and lifestyle. Simple home remedies may rescue you if you have minor stomach issues. Ayurvedic medicine for indigestion is an easy option to cure most of the stomach ailments. If you have any severe stomach discomfort, it is always suggested to get a thorough medical check-up for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.