Indigestion – how to handle it
What exactly is indigestion?
Indigestion is a condition a lot of people suffer from and can cause a burning sensation in your stomach or upper abdomen, an acidic taste in your mouth, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation. Indigestion can be painful and very uncomfortable. It is not dangerous but it affects your quality of life. Indigestion is not the same as heartburn or acid reflux, which causes a burning feeling in your chest caused by stomach acid entering the oesophagus. Both these conditions however, usually happen at the same time.
Remedies to assist
Indigestion can usually be managed by changing your diet. Some of the main causes of indigestion are smoking, caffeinated drinks, excessive alcohol, fast food, acidic foods and fried, fatty, and spicy foods. Also, certain medications may cause issues. Eating slowly may help prevent the indigestion and apple cider vinegar, digestive enzymes, probiotics, licorice root and ginger can help provide relief.
Is it something else?
Sometimes people who suffer indigestion symptoms are actually suffering something else, and have an underlying condition. Some of the conditions these could be are IBS/IBD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcers, gallbladder issues or gallstones, coeliac disease, gastritis or anxiety and depression. This is why it is important to see a healthcare professional if you have had indigestion for more that 2 weeks or if you are in severe pain. If your indigestion also comes with unplanned weight loss, vomiting blood, extreme fatigue, black stools or if you are having trouble swallowing, these are all causes for concern and you should seek medical advice. If your indigestion includes shortness of breath, sweating, or chest pain that spreads to your arm, neck, or jaw go to emergency at a hospital.
Supplements and foods to help
To help avoid indigestion eat slowly, eat a healthy well balanced diet, wait two or three hours before lying down, don’t exercise straight after eating and reduce stress by meditating or doing yoga. There are some natural remedies which you can use for your indigestion. These include apple cider vinegar. Place a tablespoon in half a glass of water before or after your meal. Chew some fresh, peeled, raw ginger root before or after your meal or you can brew it as a tea. Also taken in the same way you could try licorice root. Eating half a teaspoon of fennel seeds after meals is also helpful. Place the seeds in boiling water, strain it and drink as a tea. You could also try black cumin seeds using the same methods. Peppermint oil is also good for indigestion as it helps relax the stomach muscles and it helps fight harmful bacteria. You can take this as a supplement or apply it to the skin as long as it’s blended with a carrier oil. However, be careful because if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease peppermint could worsen your symptoms.
