How do you know if you have indigestion?

Sitting comfortably on the couch in front of your TV, with a bag of chips, and suddenly you start feeling discomfort around your chest. Is it indigestion? Or heartburn? How to figure that out without looking like a weak human sensitive to their digestive system! Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

What is Indigestion?

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, refers to an uncomfortable pain or burning sensation in the upper part of your abdomen that often occurs after eating a meal. The symptoms can vary from person to person and may come and go at different times.

Causes

There are several possible causes for indigestion:

  • Eating too much or too quickly
    When you eat too much food at once or eat quickly without chewing properly, it puts pressure on the stomach muscles leading to indigestion.

  • Acid reflux
    If there’s acid leaking back into the esophagus from the stomach due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) [^1], then not only will be suffering from frequent heartburn but also occasional bouts of indigestions in between meals.

  • Peptic ulcers
    These sores form when gastric juices penetrate unprotected layers which then results in painful cramps pains bloating nausea vomiting hiccups burping [^2].

  • Gallstones
    When tiny stones accumulate inside the gallbladder causing severe abdominal pain bloating projectile vomiting fever swelling diarrhoea indigo coloured urine light-coloured stool[ ^3].

Symptoms

Here are some common signs indicating that you might have indigestion:

1. Bloating

Have you ever felt like somebody has pumped air up into your body without noticing it? The sudden expansion makes wearing tight clothes hard besides giving off loud farting sounds whenever one breaks wind.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

Indigestion often causes nausea, and if it is severe enough, sometimes vomiting may occur as well. In certain cases, vomit might contain undigested food particles.

3. Belching or Burping

One of the apparent symptoms is burping with a rotten egg-like odour coming out of your mouth that makes those in close proximity cover their noses.

4. Pain or Discomfort in the Upper Abdomen

Have you ever felt pain in your upper abdomen? It might be indigestion! This pain can range from dull to sharp and usually occurs either during or after meals.

At-home Remedies

The good news is – most episodes of indigestions go away on their own without needing any particular medical treatment. However there are at-home remedies that may help alleviate discomfort:

  1. Chewing Gum
    It helps stimulate saliva production which has alkaline properties thus neutralizing stomach acid [^4].

  2. Drinking lots of water between meals
    Staying hydrated ensures smooth digestion; however drinking liquids fast should be avoided because air pockets then form on becoming trapped inside causing bloating[ ^5].

  3. Taking over-the-counter medications:

  4. Antacids such as Tums[R] Pepto-Bismol[R], Mylanta[R]

    These work by neutralizing stomach acids providing instant relief against heartburn but not effective against other causes like gallstones.

    • H-2-receptor blockers – Ranitidine (Zantac) Cimetidine (Tagamet)

    They reduce acid production blocking histamine stimulating cells found lining the gastrointestinal tract curing both ulcer-induced[P1] & non-ulcer dyspepsia>

    • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): Omeprazole, Esomeprazole and Pantoprazole)
      They completely stop acid production for longer duration combating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  5. Avoid Certain Foods

You should avoid spicy, fatty or greasy foods since they can trigger indigestions including coffee and carbonated drinks [ ^6].

  1. Try Relaxation Techniques

Stress is one of the reasons behind stomach issues; thus reducing stress lowers indigestions’ symptoms.

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of these signs continuously, it’s time to visit your doctor:

  1. If you’re vomiting blood
  2. Severe abdominal pain
  3. Unexplained weight loss
  4. Chest pain

Remember that always reach out for emergency services if experiencing severe discomfort like difficulty breathing rapid heartbeat or black-coloured stools as such might point at serious health issues requiring immediate intervention.

Traditional Remedies

Before pharmaceutical medications existed traditional remedies were our ancestors solutions :

  • Herbal Teas

Peppermint and ginger are infused in boiling water providing relief within few moments by relaxing muscle contractions improving digestion pathways easily built from home.

  • Indian Ayurvedic Medications

Popular alternatives used contain unique ingredients such as carom seeds ashwagandha extract cumin fennel fenugreek which are purportedly effective against multiple digestive disorders[ ^7].

  • Meditation

Buddhist monks have been credited with significantly lowering their risks of suffering dyspepsia by practicing mindfulness-focused meditation techniques coupled with diet modifications[ 8].

Conclusion:

Indigestion is an uncomfortable feeling one would do anything to stay away from but alas caution doesn’t usually bring positive results hence why awareness & self-help measures ought to be learned in addition seeking professional consultation when necessary saving the day!

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